Job
Links Offers Solutions That Work
By Tamica L. Wade, Upfront Participant
In
early May of 2003, I was indefinitely suspended until
further notice from a position at US Airways Express.
I filed for unemployment compensation due to the nature
of the suspension but was denied benefits for lack of
evidence supporting my case. Now what? Here I was, a
single mother with a college education but no experience
in my related field, no income, and no possibility of
future income. My plan was to wait for my mediation
hearing with US Airways Express and when I was given
my job back everything would be fine. It never happened.
I found myself having to turn to the state for a second
time for public assistance.
Second plan.
Since I couldn’t find a job and wasn’t called
back to work, I planned to return to school to further
my education. Welfare pays for education, right? Wrong.
My caseworker informed me that I would have to go to
a job readiness site for assistance with finding employment
for up to eight weeks before DPW would consider paying
for schooling, and even then a request would have to
be submitted and then approved. I was not pleased, to
say the least. I didn’t need job readiness, I
was ready and willing to work, but the market was tight,
or so I thought.
With
the assistance I gained from Job Links through the Upfront
Program I was able to enhance my interview skills under
the guidance of Tonia Suber-Parker, the career developer,
who also informed me of the necessity and the difference
submitting cover letters with my resume would make.
I also began to send thank you letters after interviews
as well, per her advice, which proved successful due
to the large number of callbacks I received. I was able
to condense my three-page, over-informative resume into
a neat, concise, consistent and appealing one-page resume
with the assistance of Christopher Kendall, Program
Coordinator/Case Manager. He also kept me informed and
updated on new employment opportunities and inside contact
information which afforded me the ability to submit
resumes to companies which didn’t publicly advertise
openings. Christopher was also able to provide valuable
advice in reference to selling points that I’m
able to offer employers.
Not
only was I able to receive assistance with resume and
interview enhancement skills, Job Links offered a plethora
of essential services that could prove to be beneficial
in today job markets. I was able to take advantage of
Infant/Adult CPR and First Aid Certification classes
instructed by Linh Quach and also the Medical Terminology
class taught by Jonathan McKeithen. Certificates and
prizes were awarded upon completion to those who participated.
And when it was time to fax my resumes and cover letters,
I had the assistance of Tracy Jackson, the center’s
administrative assistant and senior volunteers such
as Joan Dissen and Ms. Johnson. There were guest speakers
supplied for readiness workshops at least once a week
presenting other employment enhancement opportunities,
as well as different channels to research when seeking
employment or enhancing the skills presently possessed.
They also provide a computer technology course that
allows participants to gain basic knowledge of computer
software programs, as well as the applications and functions
while incorporating a typing tutorial program with levels
ranging from beginner to expert, geared towards increasing
typing speeds. Whatever avenue I wanted to pursue, I
had the support of the center.
Thanks
to Job Links, in collaboration with the Upfront Program,
I had a great deal more to offer employers when they
were considering me for a position. Armed with additional
knowledge, newly attained skills and a highly decorated
resume, I was ready, more ready then I ever knew. I
began the Upfront Program on July 7, 2003; by July 18,
I had secured a position as a Therapist with Southwestern
Psychological Services. And have gained two additional
position since then, Employment Specialist with Community
Options, Inc. and MH/MR Staff with Glade Run Lutheran
Services. More recently I’ve been offered an additional
position with Turtle Creek Valley which is also a MH/MR
facility. I’m almost afraid to check my messages
for fear of being offered a new position and being faced
with having to turn down employment, when just a few
months ago I was unemployed without the possibly of
work availability. And it doesn’t end there. Thanks
to Ms. Joann Fountain, Job Links has a retention program
were I receive gas cards to assist with my daily commute
to and from work. Job Links ensures every possibility
to keep employment stability and continuance.
Under
the resourceful eye of Darryl Daughtry, Executive Director,
Job Links is able to provide a pleasant and gratifying
atmosphere where individuals can potentially turn jobs
into careers, bring resumes to life, strengthen the
skills they possess or acquire new ones, all in order
to secure a promising future. The intimate atmosphere
they provide allows for individualized attention and
specific needs to be addressed, while assisting the
community as a whole. Thank you, Job Links.
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