Behind every success story is a rocky first start, a courageous leap of faith, or a radical change of direction. Learn how real Goodwill participants overcame difficult circumstances — including job loss, lack of education, language barriers, disabilities, and homelessness — to launch fulfilling careers.
Camryn Hutchinson is a 20-year-old who is just getting started in her career. Like many high school graduates, she started college the semester after graduating. “Starting my junior or senior year [of high school], that’s when they really started to push college and the military as my only two options. They never really glossed on […]
Tanesha Green moved to Charlotte from Arkansas in search of better opportunities. She knew Charlotte was booming with construction projects, so she jumped at the opportunity to learn the trades. “I searched free construction classes, and I came across Goodwill,” she explained. “I was a helper with my stepdad’s business since I was 12, remodeling […]
“I think if I didn’t get laid off, I probably wouldn’t be in a position that I am now that Goodwill helped me to get,” said Goodwill graduate Adell Williams. Adell is working as an HRIS Analyst for Hayward Industries, a role she was able to advance to after taking the Data Analytics training program […]
After working in sales for nearly a decade, Charlie Branson found himself ready for a change in his career. An unexpected layoff helped him take a step forward. “I was looking to initiate a career shift,” he recalled. “All of a sudden, I got laid off, so it sped up the process for me.” Growing […]
“I’m meeting all the different customers, and I’m really loving my team and growing with them,” Dominique said of her new job. Dominique is now working as Retail Banker II for TD Bank, but earlier this year she was looking for work. While attending a City of Charlotte hiring event at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus in […]
Yuliya Chernyshevs moved to the United States from Russia and was looking for a new start. She had a background in construction, but needed assistance in transitioning her career over to her new country. “I graduated from a construction university in Russia and worked as an estimating engineer,” she explained. “I was really eager to […]
“It was a great class. And it just made me feel like I was going in the right direction for a more fulfilling IT career,” said Stephanie Merriweather. Stephanie graduated from one of Goodwill’s Advanced IT training programs, which are offered free of charge through Goodwill University, the nonprofit’s training division. Today she works as an […]
“[The Career Navigators] are a great asset to people. Take advantage of the whole program, even if you’re already working in the field. Use those resources because they can push you towards something better.”
Carolina Ramirez is back in the banking industry, thanks to the BankWork$ training program she completed at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. “Ten years ago, I was in the banking industry. I started as a Teller and my last position was Financial Advisor for companies,” she said when speaking on her career in Costa […]
“I’ll do anything that Goodwill asks me to because it literally changed my life in a matter of three to four months. I’m forever grateful and indebted.” Tiara Clinton is thriving in her career as a Data Analyst for Foodbuy USA, a procurement sector of Compass Group. Prior to her journey with Goodwill, she was […]
