FourBlock

From Career Restarts to Career Confidence: My #FourBlock Journey? Sara Simeral FourBlock Military Spouse Alumni As a military spouse, I’ve faced a common challenge—having to start over every few years due to frequent relocations. Each move meant a new job search, a new learning curve, and often feeling like I was rebuilding my career from scratch. After struggling to re-enter the workforce following a career break, I searched for a program that truly understood the unique challenges military spouses face. That search led me to FourBlock’s Military Spouse Career Readiness Program, and it was a game-changer. Biggest Lesson Learned: 80% of jobs are found through networking—not just applying online. That insight completely changed how I approached my job search. Most Impactful Takeaway: The program gave me not only practical tools but also the confidence to show up authentically in interviews and networking opportunities. Key Advice for Military Spouses: Be patient. I wanted to start applying for jobs right away, but waiting until I had the right strategy in place made all the difference. Today, I’m proud to be part of National Employee Benefits Administrators, Inc. as an Assistant Manager in the Retirement Department. No two days are the same, I get to keep learning, and I work with an amazing team. To any #militaryspouse considering FourBlock, I highly recommend leaning into the program, connecting with your cohort, and embracing the journey. You’ll walk away with knowledge, confidence, and a powerful network. If Sara's story resonates with you, we have another chance to learn more?here: https://lnkd.in/gmDm9-Q Join us today for a LIVE webinar today at 1:30pm ET here:?https://lnkd.in/gPm74rBG Thank you to Andrea Smith, Susan Rietano Davey, Kelley Biskupiak, MA, CPCC, and the entire Prepare to Launch U and FourBlock team for creating a program that truly empowers. #careerreadiness #careertransition #FourBlock #PTLU

Spotlight on Our Partner: The Coca-Cola Company FourBlock is proud to highlight Coca-Cola as a valued partner in our #mission to support transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses as they navigate their career journeys. Through Coca-Cola’s commitment to #hiring, mentoring, and empowering #veterans, they continue to demonstrate the power of corporate leadership in fostering meaningful career opportunities for those who have served. Their dedication to talent development and career readiness aligns seamlessly with FourBlock’s mission of helping veterans find purposeful careers after military service. We are grateful for Coca-Cola’s ongoing support, which allows our participants to gain industry insights, expand their networks, and develop the skills necessary to thrive in their civilian careers. Together, we are building a stronger future for our veteran community. Thank you, Coca-Cola, and the @Coca Cola Foundation for being a champion of veterans and a true partner in career readiness! Stephen Spicher Patrick Plunkett Daniel Pugh Cameron Mattingly Queta Rodriguez Tony Kalams Gary Guzman Mike Abrams Karin Childress-Wiley #FourBlock #CocaCola #VeteranCareers #CareerReadiness #MilitaryTransition #HiringOurHeroes #StrongerTogether?

Week 2, Recap: FourBlock’s Career Readiness Program We’re officially two weeks into FourBlock’s Spring 2025 Career Readiness Program, and the momentum is building! Across the country, transitioning service members and veterans across all cohorts came together for Session 2—a pivotal step in their transition journey. Last week, we focused on self-assessment and #career exploration, helping participants align their #skills, values, and passions with career opportunities. Through insightful discussions, guest speakers, and hands-on exercises, we’re empowering them to take charge of their next chapter with confidence. A huge shoutout to our cohort hosts PwC, The Coca-Cola Company, EY, Wells Fargo, ADP, Guidehouse, Microsoft, ManTech, Fiserv, News Corp, BAE Systems, PGA of America, AT&T, H-E-B, Michaels Stores, Cedars-Sinai who make this journey impactful. Your support is what makes FourBlock a community, not just a program. Looking forward to Week 3 as we continue to guide and inspire the next generation of military leaders in their civilian careers. Let’s keep building together! Joe Wallis Bob Pavlak Queta Rodriguez, Mike Abrams Gary Guzman, Ashley Owens, Tony Kalams, Vic Lance, Olivia Martinez-Stewart, Monica M. McNeal, EJ O’Brien, Eric Stetson, Karin Childress-Wiley

In 2025, the return-to-office (RTO) landscape is shifting, with 32% of U.S. companies requiring full-time in-office work, while 68% offer hybrid flexibility. A Resume Builder survey indicates that 90% of companies plan to bring employees back to the office, further reducing flexibility—yet military spouse unemployment remains at 21%, significantly higher than the national average. At FourBlock, we are committed to empowering #militaryspouses by providing career education and development programs, mentorship, and access to employers through our Military Spouse Career Readiness Program. Join an Information Session to learn about the program! Monday Information Sessions: https://lnkd.in/gsVGgEEG Wednesday Information Sessions: https://lnkd.in/gPm74rBG Learn how FourBlock’s Military Spouse Career Readiness Program in partnership with Prepare to Launch U can help you build a meaningful career despite the challenges of #military life. Connect with career coaches, industry leaders, and a supportive community that understands your journey. Military spouses shouldn’t have to choose between supporting their families and advancing their careers. Let’s work together to bridge the gap! #FourBlock #PTLU #MilitarySpouseEmployment #CareerReadiness #flexibleWorkforce Andrea Smith Karin Childress-Wiley Queta Rodriguez

The journey began this week as we officially launched the FourBlock Career Readiness Program, across the US in our in-person and virtual cohorts, welcoming a new cohort of transitioning service members and #veterans as they take the next step toward meaningful careers!?? A huge thank you to the Seattle Seahawks for their continued support of FourBlock and the military community! Your generosity and insights have a significant? impact on transitioning service members. Special thanks to our hosts, Mike Flood and Kyle Dougherty, for welcoming us to your incredible training facility — what an amazing way to kick off our Program! #FourBlock #CareerReadiness #VeteranSuccess #MilitaryTransition #Veterans #Networking #CareerGrowth #SeattleSeahawks #Leadership #CommunitySupport Monica M. McNeal Gary Guzman Queta Rodriguez Olivia Martinez-Stewart

Meet the FourBlock Career Readiness Instructors!?? At FourBlock, we are dedicated to helping #veterans and transitioning military members successfully transition into meaningful civilian careers. Our Career Readiness Instructors are at the heart of this mission, guiding, mentoring, and empowering our participants with real-world insights, industry expertise, and professional networking opportunities.? Each instructor brings a wealth of experience from diverse industries, offering personalized #coaching, resume guidance, interview preparation, and career navigation strategies tailored to the unique strengths of our military community. Their commitment goes beyond the classroom—they are mentors, connectors, and champions for veteran success. Keep a look out as we highlight our incredible Career Readiness instructors throughout the 10-week Spring 2025 cohort. ? Tag an instructor—and drop a comment below to share your experience or show your support! Monica M. McNeal Eric Stetson Gary Guzman Vic Lance Tony Kalams EJ O’Brien Olivia Martinez-Stewart Ashley Owens Queta Rodriguez Bernard Beaullieu Mike Abrams Karin Childress-Wiley #careerreadiness #training #veteranemployment #transitionbetter #fourblock

Each year, FourBlock and Marsh McLennan come together to host the annual Inspire Games to support military veterans in partnership with the #NewYorkCity insurance industry. Over the past eight #Inspire Games, we have raised more than $800K towards adaptive sports training and FourBlock’s career transition programming. The Inspire Games are more than a competition—it’s a celebration of resilience and determination. The Inspire Games are hosted by?wounded Marine veteran and #FourBlock alumnus Ralph DeQuebec, a 2X gold medalist and member of the 2021 World Champion U.S. National Sled Hockey Team who took home the gold with Team USA at the 2018 Paralympics Games in PyeongChang and the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing. When you sponsor Inspire Games, you’re not just funding an event—you’re fueling transformative stories like Ralph’s. Get a ticket or look at sponsorship opportunities https://lnkd.in/gmS3weTK You can hear Ralph speak at the FourBlock 15th Anniversary Gala on April 24th.?https://lnkd.in/gXQsdRSc #veterans #careerreadiness #veteranemployment Mike Abrams Queta Rodriguez Karin Childress-Wiley

As we gear up for the Spring 2025 Veteran Career Readiness Program, we’re excited to build on the momentum of an incredible new initiative—the FourBlock Career Engagement Session (CES). Launched in Fall 2024, our CES connects #alumni with employer partners who host our Career Readiness Program sessions throughout the season. This event allows alumni to apply their confidence, career readiness, and networking skills in real-time conversations with top #employers. Highlights from our first-ever CES:? ? 14 employer partners & 25+ representatives ? 100+ Alumni connected with recruiters, hiring managers, and industry experts ? Veterans & military spouses exploring career opportunities With the success of this launch, we’re thrilled to expand CES and in May 22, 2025—welcome 600+ Spring participants plus past alumni to connect with our featured employer partners and host companies. This program continues to strengthen the bridge between military talent and the companies committed to hiring them and position Alumni to achieve more—personally and professionally. A huge thank you to our employer partners & alumni who joined us—we appreciate your support and can’t wait to see you again in May! Featured Employer Partners: ? ADP? - Stuart Weiss? Booz Allen Hamilton - Chris Teodoro, MBA, PMP? The Coca-Cola Company - Stephen Spicher, Daniel Pugh? General Dynamics Information Technology - Vanessa Taylor, MA, Gregory Starace, PMP, USMC LtCol Retired, Jennifer Magerer, PMP, Trudy Perry, ? Hanscom Federal Credit Union - Jonathan Simms? TIAA - Matthew Little, SPHR, Jonathan Foss? Wells Fargo - Lauren Ramos Host Employers:? Amazon Web Services (AWS) - John Pierce? Capital One - Jahan Yu, Daniel H., William Reinike? CDW - Joey Linebarger, MBA, Harvard Medina? Leidos QTC Management, Inc. Oscar Castro, Carolyn Hendrix-Uhl, MAM-HR-Uhl? T-Mobile - Lacey Craig, MBA, Morgan Olsen? UPS - Kim B.? X - Daniel Montes ? Tag yourself if you were there and want to get the networking going after the event. #FourBlock #CareerEngagementSession #VeteranCareers #MilitaryTransitions #Networking #HiringVeterans #CareerReadiness

Kicking Off the Spring 2025 Military Spouse Career Readiness Cohort! FourBlock is beyond excited to launch our Spring 2025 Military Spouse Career Readiness Program in partnership with Prepare to Launch U (PTLU) —a transformative initiative designed to empower #militaryspouses as they navigate their #career journeys. This cohort is as diverse and inspiring as the #military community itself. Who’s in this group? 26 amazing spouses, including 1 male spouse, and ?Gold Star spouses? Spanning the globe – From across the U.S., Hawaii, and even Paris, France!? Diverse education levels – From high school diplomas to doctoral degrees? Representing multiple branches – Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force? Varied service connections – Active duty, reserve, retired, Ranks from E4 to O6 and beyond – A true reflection of the strength and depth of the military spouse community? ? A special tribute to our Gold Star spouses, whose strength and perseverance embody the very essence of resilience and service. We are deeply honored to walk alongside you on this career journey and support your continued growth and success. These spouses are ready to take the next step in their careers, and we are honored to be part of their journey. To all our spouses, instructors, and supporters, let’s make this an unforgettable experience! ?Here’s to new beginnings, bold career moves, and a future filled with opportunities! Tag yourself in this post if you are on this journey with us! We want to celebrate you! Blue Star Families U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Military Spouse Employment Partnership--MSEP Military.com Hiring Our Heroes USO American Corporate Partners (ACP) Andrea Smith Karin Childress-Wiley Queta Rodriguez #FourBlock #MilitarySpouseCareers #CareerReadiness #MilitaryFamilies #Empowerment #StrongerTogether?

Welcome FourBlock Career Readiness Students We are honored to welcome the newest cohort of active-duty service members, #veterans, and student veterans to the #FourBlock Career Readiness Program. This marks the beginning of a journey that will be shaped by insightful mentors, dedicated career coaches, generous employer hosts, and experienced instructors—all committed to your success. Your transition is more than a career shift; it is a continuation of service in new and meaningful ways. We deeply respect the dedication, resilience, and ambition you bring, and we are privileged to walk alongside you as you build the next chapter of your professional life. Welcome to the FourBlock tribe—we are honored to have you with us. #FourBlock #CareerReadiness #VeteranSuccess #coaching #TransitionSupport #Networking Gary Guzman Vic Lance Tony Kalams Bernard Beaullieu Ashley Owens Olivia Martinez-Stewart Queta Rodriguez