Hired Heroes: Erik and Kristen Shaw, US Army

In February of 2008, Erik Shaw presented himself to Hire Heroes USA for career placement assistance. An unemployed U.S. Army veteran wounded in combat, Erik had served as a scout and sniper team leader and Bradley commander with the Elite 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment in Iraq, participating in the liberation of Tal Afar, the last Al-Qaeda stronghold in Iraq. Erik's dilemma was his inability to find work in proximity to his wife Kristen's new job as a graphic designer. Having first met in Korea while both were members of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division, the Shaws were at this time living in Shady Side, MD.

HHUSA, through its partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), was able to arrange for Erik to interview for a position within UPMC's IT sector. Erik succeeded in landing the job, beginning work on April 1st in Pittsburgh and also beginning a trying period of commuting home to Shady Side on weekends to visit his wife and daughter.

Fortune smiled upon the Shaw's on July 7th, when HHUSA and UPMC were able to identify a graphic design position within UPMC's Physician Services Division for Kristen. Erik, Kristen and their daughter, Kayla, are currently settled happily in Erik's hometown of Pittsburgh, content in their new careers and working for an outstanding and compassionate organization - a truly happy ending for the Shaw family!