MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- More than 400 Marines, sailors and family members attended the Family Member Employment Assistance Program’s fall Career Fair at Camp Pendleton’s South Mesa Club, Sept. 24.

During the event, more than 120 businesses provided information about local and national career opportunities for job seekers.

“The career fair is a great way for transitioning service members and military family members to meet potential employers,” said Marjorie Stockholm, family member employment assistance specialist, Marine Corps Community Services.

The time allotted at career fairs gives service members a chance to connect with employers, and attendees are exposed to the options they have during their period of transition, said Stockholm.

In addition to employers, the fair featured several school vendors for patrons interested in pursuing higher education.

“It is essential for transitioning service members to get their education,” said Craig T. Raleigh, retired Marine major and campus director for Argosy University. “There are a lot of great companies out there hiring service members, and an education can give you an advantage.”

Seeking a lead on the competition, Cpl. Douglas Neal, combat engineer, 1st Marine Logistics Group, spoke with the educational vendors about his options as a transitioning Marine.

“This event gave a lot of help to service members who don’t know what they want to do after the military,” said Neal. “Going to college will hopefully give those in transition an idea of their future plans.”

Camp Pendleton has been hosting biannual career fairs, for the last 20 years. For more information on future career fairs, visit www.mccscp.com.