Profiles in Success: Stories

Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams

1-800 Flowers

Military Experience

Jesse served in the Army from 2005 to 2012, then attended John Jay College. In the Army his duties included breach man, team leader and section sergeant. Values he developed included judgment, decisiveness and accountability as often he was called upon to protect his team in combat situations. “I learned how to think and act quickly in tight situations,” he said. “And I learned how to complete a mission all the way through and be responsible for the decisions I made.”

How Edge4vets Mentors Helped Me

“My experience in the Army gave me an incredible foundation for responsible action in civilian life, but I needed to learn how to translate those values and skills. Edge4Vets offered a very forgiving environment. What I mean by that is mentors in the workshops were patient and supportive as I found words to express what I wanted to do. They helped me see how skills I developed, such as leading a team, could be applied in business and could make me very valuable to employers. They helped me build a network for my civilian job search as well, and helped me craft my resume. They gave me one-to-one interviewing practice which was invaluable. I learned how to understand how valuable my military experience could be to find a job, and not just any job but one that could lead to the kind of career I wanted.”

How Jesse Is Using His Military Skills In Civilian Life

After graduating from John Jay, Jesse was hired by 1-800-Flowers. He’s a manager in the emerging business and mobile operations department - and he’s moving up fast. As he said, “My Inter-drive keeps me moving forward toward my goals. I never quit until my task/project is complete. I learned that from the Army, how to get things done, no matter how tired I might be. I don’t give up. Truth be told, I like to be the last one in office, the guy who turns out the lights.” It’s no surprise that Jesse’s being promoted so rapidly: he helped turn a $2 business into a $15 million one through, as he says, “lessons I learned in the military.”

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Joseph Gamez

Joseph Gamez

Metropolitan Transit Authority

Edge4Vets helped me to effectively write my resume with accomplishments that I had been overlooking but are real and are marketable.

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Kimberly Alonzo

Kimberly Alonzo

Drexel Hamilton

Edge4Vets mentors helped me realize that I had tremendous skills, especially attention to detail. They taught me how that skill would allow me to sell myself for my commitment to safety.

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Macy Garner

Macy Garner

Delta Airlines

At Edge4Vets I learned not to limit myself to one specific skill and as a result I was able to get a job with Delta.

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Marco Biongioanni

Marco Bongioanni

Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Edge4Vet’s mentors helped deepen my ‘rolodex’ from a networking standpoint.

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Anny Pena

Anny Pena

Standard Chartered Bank

Edge4Vets provided guidance to help me find good examples I could use in interviews and they shared what employers are looking for and why they want to hire veterans.

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Chrissy Burbach

Chrissy Burbach

United Nations Mission to the Congo

The mentors provided suggestions to help me to talk confidently about my achievements, and invaluable advice on how best to present myself in job interviews.

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Dawn Jolly

Dawn Jolly

Pfizer

Edge4Vets mentors helped me realize that my skills were highly transferable and that corporations such as Pfizer Inc. could benefit from my skills and experiences.

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