After 22 years of working at a local phone company, Jackie’s position was unexpectedly eliminated. At 40 years old, with a college degree, she found it challenging to land another job. While searching for opportunities, she came across a flyer for Goodwill’s Job Development Program. Intrigued, Jackie reached out and began working with one of Goodwill’s employment specialists.
Together, Jackie and her specialist revamped her resume to ensure it would catch the attention of employers. They also conducted mock interviews and actively searched for job openings. Soon after completing the program, Jackie secured a position as an office assistant. However, when the pandemic hit, she anticipated that her role might be at risk. Confident in her skills and the support she received from Goodwill, she applied for a new opportunity at another company.
Jackie’s leap of faith paid off. Today, she is the senior staffing specialist at Cummins Facility Services, where she has worked for five years. Her current role allows her to continue supporting Goodwill’s mission by helping other job seekers. Whenever openings arise at her company, Jackie connects with her former employment specialist to help Goodwill participants find job opportunities. “It’s a way for me to give back to the local Goodwill community. I’m grateful for the chance to support others just as I was supported,” she says.
Reflecting on her experience with Goodwill, Jackie shared, “Goodwill is an incredible program that supports people from all backgrounds in finding employment. They offer invaluable services, like training in soft skills, job interview preparation, and even providing clothing vouchers and gas cards for interviews, or steel-toed shoes for new jobs. They truly ensure you’re ready to succeed.”
Jackie is excited about her career at Cummins and is eager to continue growing. In the future, she hopes to advance within the HR department, potentially taking on a role as an HR generalist or assistant to the vice president. At Goodwill, Good Happens Here.