Sarah is a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard, serving as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot. She had recently been laid off from a previous civilian job and was unemployed when she attended last year’s Veterans Career Fair.
“I remember walking into the event feeling both excited and nervous. I knew it was a large event based on the number of participating organizations on the flyer, but I don’t think I was fully prepared for just how many employers were present,” said Sarah about her experience at the 2025 Veterans Career Fair. “It was incredible to have so many positive interactions with employers who were genuinely interested in learning about me, my background, and my experiences—both in the military and in my civilian career.”
One of those positive interactions led to new employment at a job she loves at TMI Coatings in Eagan. TMI Coatings is an industrial painting and restoration contractor that sandblasts and paints tanks, smokestacks, water towers and other structures in Minnesota and throughout the central U.S. TMI Coatings is a Premier Employer at the 2026 Veterans Career Fair, as they were at the 2025 Veterans Career Fair.
Veterans Career Fair
“I met Lis and Nathaly from the HR team at the career fair, and I remember their booth being one of the first I visited. Although my recent civilian experience was in the manufacturing industry and not directly related to TMI Coatings’ work, they were incredibly welcoming and made me feel that my experience was valued.
“Sarah stood out as a strong candidate due to her professionalism and initiative during our interaction at the Veterans Career Fair. She approached our table prepared with a well-organized, easy-to-follow resume and confidently introduced herself,” said TMI Coatings Human Resource Coordinator Lis Beise, who represented TMI Coatings at the 2025 Veterans Career Fair. “Although she was transitioning from a different industry, she demonstrated genuine interest by asking questions and actively engaging in conversation, which reflected her willingness to learn and adapt.”
Lis reached out to Sarah a couple of weeks after the 2025 Veterans Career Fair to follow up with Sarah. Sarah was excited to move forward with the hiring process. “Based on my interaction with them at the career fair, I saw it as a great opportunity to shift my career and try something new. After two interviews and an offer, I joined TMI.”
Sarah’s experience since she joined TMI has been overwhelmingly positive and she’s felt supported every step of the way. "Coming from a different background, I had a lot to learn in my new role, not only about the company, but also about the industry as a whole. Everyone at TMI, from my peers to senior leadership, has been incredibly supportive.”
Sarah noted that TMI has invested in her professional development. Sarah says TMI consistently demonstrates that the company’s success is directly tied to the growth and success of its employees. Sarah also stressed the importance of working in a veteran-friendly environment, like that at TMI Coatings.
“Working in a veteran-friendly environment is very important to me because it reflects that my employer shares the core values that matter to me,” said Sarah. “Since I am still actively serving in the National Guard, TMI has been very understanding of my service obligations and supportive of any necessary accommodations. It means a great deal to work with individuals who value and support my continued service to our community.”
“At TMI Coatings, we view employing veterans and active-duty service members as an honor, and our experience has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Lis from TMI Coatings. “We have also found that accommodating time off for military training has been very manageable, making it a practical and rewarding investment for our organization.”
“It is important for TMI Coatings to be present at the annual Veterans Career Fair because we highly value the skills and experience that veterans bring to the workforce. For over 15 years, TMI has employed veterans who consistently demonstrate strong attention to detail, discipline, and a team-oriented mindset,” Lis explained. “Our work often takes place on government sites and in environments where precision and collaboration are critical to success. Veterans naturally align with these expectations, making this event an important opportunity for us to connect with individuals whose backgrounds and strengths support the quality and safety standards we uphold.”
Sarah encourages fellow service members to attend the 2026 Veterans Career Fair. “I would highly recommend this event to any veteran considering attendance, whether they are actively seeking a new position or not,” said Sarah. “For those who are unemployed and seeking a new role, it is rare to have the opportunity to speak with so many hiring managers and HR professionals in one place. It’s the perfect setting to market yourself and showcase your skills to people who are genuinely interested in what you bring to the table.”
Veterans, current service members, members of the National Guard and Reserves, military spouses and Gold Star families are to attend the 20th Annual Veterans Career Fair.
20th Annual Veterans Career Fair
Wednesday, May 20
2 - 6 p.m.
Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center
6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center, MNView a listing of 100 participating employers and additional details
