ADVISE provides local business professionals an opportunity to partner with soldiers transitioning from the military who would like to live and work in the Flint Hills region in hopes that the soldier makes valuable business connections that lead to employment.

The program is simple:

• A transitioning soldier is paired with a local member of the business community (an advisor) at an initial get acquainted meeting.
• The soldier is hosted at the advisor's place of business for an overview of the business and possible job shadowing.
• The advisor hosts the transitioning soldier at five chamber of commerce networking events over a six month period, introducing the soldier to at least three people per event.
• The advisor covers the cost of the soldier's attendance at these events.

Why is the Chamber promoting this new program?  With record low unemployment, ADVISE provides a way to recognize and attract high quality talent and develop deeper investment toward community growth for local companies.

The ADVISE program assists soldiers with their networking skills and familiarizes them with members of the business community.  The ADVISE program introduces transitioning soldiers to civilian networking and likewise assists the community to increase their understanding of the military and learn what soldiers are looking for in a continuing career.  This introduction of soldiers to the community builds a more robust workforce for the area, strengthening our community.

Janet Nichols, with the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce launched the program in May 2019.  ADVISE is now a regional program, as the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Wamego Area Chamber of Commerce launched ADVISE in August 2019--expanding the reach and benefit to our region.  To volunteer to be an ADVISOR, please contact your local Chamber program contact.