“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 IT Support Analyst at Asahi-Kasei.
“I mean now I’m doing what I studied every day. I never got to do any of it except during training on computers. I’m actually doing it for my job now and I just love it,” she explained.
Prior to her current role, Stephanie worked in IT as a Help Desk Specialist. She was longing for advancement in her career and was able to receive that after enrolling in the training program at Goodwill.
“For me, I was really ready to make the change and everything that was offered I took advantage of it.”
In addition to learning new skills in the classroom, participants in Goodwill’s training programs are offered wraparound services that include working with a Career Navigator and an Employer Engagement Specialist. Together, they help participants perfect their resume, prepare for interviews and connect with hiring employers – so they can land the job.
“They definitely let me know and kept me encouraged that I was on the right track. They told me that everything I was doing is what they wanted to see of people coming from Goodwill,” Stephanie explained when speaking of her Employment Engagement Specialist, Craig Kalhagen and Career Navigator, David Washam.
Training programs like the one Stephanie took are available free of charge to the community, thanks to shopping and donating at Goodwill’s 36 retail locations and more than 40 donation sites, in addition to corporate, community and philanthropic donations.
“It’s unbelievable. I don’t think they [people] realize how much in the background is really happening when it comes to the Goodwill services.”
For Stephanie, she’s advanced her career and found better work-life balance in her new role without any financial burdens. She hopes others in the community will take advantage of the free opportunity.
“I just want to say to people that are considering the program to definitely sign up and take it seriously because you will get what you put into it.”
If you would like to help fund Goodwill’s programs and services that we offer to the community free of charge – like the ones that helped Stephanie on her pathway to prosperity – consider dropping off your gently used donations at one of our locations or making a financial contribution.
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