At Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, participants enrolled in the nonprofit’s tuition-free training programs also receive wraparound services. Participants are assigned an Employer Engagement Specialist and Career Navigator who help them with resumes, interviews and more.
Julie Salinas plays a crucial role in connecting training participants with meaningful employment opportunities. As an Employer Engagement Specialist for BankWork$, an eight-week training program that prepares participants for roles in the financial industry, she works diligently to build relationships with banking institutions, ensuring that program graduates have access to quality jobs. In this interview, Julie shares her passion for her work and the impact it has on participants and the community.
Q: Can you tell us about Goodwill’s employment engagement team and your role in the community?
Julie: Our team partners with employers to strategically align with our training programs. We work to advocate for our participants, helping them secure employment opportunities that match their skills and aspirations.
Q: What difference does your role make for participants?
Julie: It makes a tremendous impact because participants don’t have to navigate the job search alone. They have a dedicated advocate who can send referrals directly to employers, highlighting them as strong candidates. That extra support can turn a resume into real employment opportunities, and that’s a game-changer.
Q: What inspires you most about this work?
Julie: Oh my gosh – it can be emotional, and sometimes I even tear up thinking about the impact. Coming from corporate, where everything was about the company, and transitioning to a role that focuses on people – it’s truly rewarding. I get to help people build careers, not just find jobs.
Q: You go above and beyond to foster relationships with banks. What does that look like?
Julie: I make it a priority to visit banks in person, drop in unannounced, meet branch managers, and introduce our program. I grab their business cards and follow up with success stories and partnership opportunities. I also look for networking events – though they’re rare in banking, I dig to find them because those connections make a difference.
Q: How do employers react when you introduce Goodwill’s mission to them?
Julie: They’re always surprised! The first thing they think of when they hear “Goodwill” is a thrift store, so when I explain the job training and career navigation programs, they’re shocked and impressed. That often leads to partnerships beyond BankWork$ as they learn how we can support their hiring needs.
Q: What impact has BankWork$ had on job placement in the community?
Julie: Seeing the numbers and success stories is incredible – knowing that people are getting hired and launching careers makes all the effort worth it. I work with an amazing team, and together we’re helping people build lasting career pathways.
Q: How long have you been with Goodwill, and how has your journey evolved?
Julie: I’ve been with Goodwill for four years but worked at another Goodwill location for two years before that. I started in career navigation, helping people secure jobs, and then transitioned to employment engagement, where I now focus on strengthening employer partnerships.
Q: What’s your biggest hope for the future?
Julie: That we keep pushing forward and never stop. This work changes lives, and I want to see it grow even more.
Through her dedication, Julie is not just creating job opportunities – she’s building a career pipeline and changing lives. Her relentless efforts to advocate for Goodwill’s participants ensure that more individuals gain access to stable, rewarding careers in the banking industry and beyond.
