By Billy S. Garland
Degrees now seem to carry less weight than in previous years, as the current economy has forced employers to cut back on the number of positions they can fill. Soon however, an additional 1400 civilian, white collar, jobs will be available to Fort Knox.
The jobs are being brought to the area through the work of an organization known as One Knox. Intended for civilian employees, the positions will place the workers that fill them alongside military men and women.
“A lot of people don’t realize that you can work hand in hand with people in uniform,” said Beth Avey a representative for One Knox. “You can serve your country in a different way.”
The placement in Fort Knox would require many workers to commute or move to the area. According to Avey, approximately eight percent of the Fort Knox work force currently lives in the Louisville area.
“Most people currently live here in Fort Knox,” adds Avey. “It’s really not that far of a drive though. It only takes about 35-40 minutes to drive here from Louisville.”
Not everyone agrees with that sentiment however. For many like graduating senior Britt Singer, the commute would seem an insurmountable challenge when looking for employment.
“That’s a long commute for me. I think I would have to live there, because otherwise the cost of gas would be too high.”
In order to combat this high transportation cost, plans for public transportation for commuters is being taken into consideration.
“We always support public transportation,” said Avey. “We are also considering a reimbursement plan for those who would be willing to car pool.”
Still, despite the commute and transportation costs, Avey insists these new jobs will provide a good opportunity for newly graduated students.
“For these positions, any degree can help you meet the qualifications for the entry level positions,” said Avey. “Experience is hard to come by these days, and this is a great opportunity for students because just having a degree will help you meet the requirements to get the job.”
