Odile is thriving in life thanks to the help of Goodwill’s Pathways program, offered free of charge to Goodwill team members thanks to the community’s donations and purchases at our retail stores. The Pathways program is designed to support our team members in achieving their professional development and personal goals. Goodwill team members have the opportunity to work with a Career Navigator, who acts as a personal coach, to assess current needs and skills, explore options for educational and career advancement, and work on an action plan to achieve goals.
“I always wanted to go to school,” Odile said. “When I joined Pathways, those were my goals: to go to school and become an American citizen.”
With the guidance of Pathways coach Ayme, Odile began turning her aspirations into achievements. Since joining Goodwill in July 2020, she has earned her associate degree from Central Piedmont Community College and proudly became a U.S. citizen in August 2023.
“When I came to America, I made a list of all the things that I want to accomplish in America. After I became legal, it was like a snowball effect; everything just started to happen,” she said.
But she’s not done — she’s currently working on her bachelor’s degree and hopes to one day obtain her master’s degree.
“Pathways has opened up a new world for me,” Odile said. “Right now, I’m working on my bachelor’s degree at Johnson C. Smith University. I want to become a licensed clinical social worker. I need to finish my bachelor’s, and then I’m going to go for my master’s and do what I need in order to become a mental health therapist.”
The transition has not been easy for Odile, who once owned her own business, but it has put her on the trajectory to prosper.
“The reason why I came to Goodwill was because I became very sick. I used to have an eBay store, and I did that for 12 years from home, but then I could no longer sit in front of the computer,” she said.
Today, Odile enjoys working at Goodwill and jokes she may never want to leave. Thanks to the resources provided, she has been able to advance her life and accomplish both personal and professional goals.
“Pathways has helped me beyond my imagination. The support I have received through Pathways has helped me grow not only academically and professionally but also personally. Beyond achieving my college degree and becoming an American citizen, it has helped me become more self-aware and work on areas of personal growth. Today, I feel like a completely different person because of that.”
