FORT POLK — Jessica Horton is determined to find a job that meets her needs.

“It’s time,” said Horton, an Army veteran who recently earned a bachelor’s in psychology. “I enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom, but I’m ready to get back out and start building some experience.”

Horton, resume in hand and dressed in office attire, was one of about 200 who attended the Hiring Our Heroes job fair for spouses at Fort Polk on Wednesday.

The event gave spouses a chance to meet with employers committed to hiring the husbands and wives of service members at Fort Polk.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Army Community Service put together the event, which featured more than 40 employers hiring spouses of various levels of experience and education. It was open to all spouses of veterans and active-duty, reserve and National Guard members.

Sarah Worley, a military spouse coordinator with the chamber foundation, said her organization specifically sought out employers that were willing to understand the needs and challenges of military spouses.

Mary Michaelson, a branch manager at Leesville’s Navy Federal Credit Union, said she was looking to hire one part-time employee. Michaelson, herself a military spouse, said her team is primarily made up of the husbands and wives of active-duty service members stationed at Fort Polk.

“Pretty much everybody on our team is a military spouse, and we’re a very military-friendly company as well,” she said. “We definitely work with military spouses, and we’ve been able to transfer team members to other branches so they can stay with the company.”

Financial adviser Chris Lee was also looking to recruit spouses to his corporate ranks. He said First Command Financial Services in Leesville was looking to hire two full-time workers, and that the company often accommodates families that have to relocate due to military orders.

He said he was looking for people who were outgoing, career-minded and willing to learn.

“We want someone who wants to serve others and someone who is driven to, not only improve their financial life, but that of others too,” he said. “Because at the end of the day, as a financial adviser, if we’re helping out other people, then we’re helping ourselves as well.”

Lee said he met several promising candidates at the job fair.

“It turned out to be a really good event,” he said. “In fact, I have interviews set up for next week, and I don’t normally offer interviews in my office unless I feel really good about someone, so it turned out well.”(MGNonline)