After two decades in corporate retail, Jill McClure knew it was time for a change when she was no longer being challenged. What she didn’t expect was that her next chapter would begin with a simple online search and lead her to Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont.
“I wasn’t willing to go back to school full-time and spend thousands of dollars,” Jill recalled. “I started looking for free classes, and Goodwill just came up.”
Initially hesitant because she thought the program might not be meant for someone with a full-time job, Jill quickly learned that Goodwill’s tuition-free training courses are designed for everyone in the community.
“I told the woman I spoke to, ‘I don’t need free help,’ but she explained that I qualified. So, I enrolled.”
Jill chose one of our Advanced IT training programs, drawn to the subject because she was already dabbling in analytics at work. But what surprised her most wasn’t the curriculum; it was the wraparound services offered to all participants by the nonprofit.
“The Goodwill team helped me get interviews, gave me advice, encouraged me, and made sure I was portraying myself correctly to employers,” she said.
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 resumes, prepare for interviews, and connect with hiring employers so they can land the job.
That support made all the difference. Today, Jill is a senior category development analyst.
“It’s a much different environment than where I came from. The people are fabulous, the work-life balance is great, and everyone is so helpful,” she explained.
Jill’s story is a testament to the power of Goodwill’s mission: building pathways to help people pursue the life they want to achieve. Through tuition-free training and wraparound services, Goodwill empowers people in the greater Charlotte region to take the next step in their careers.
Although training programs only span 8 to 12 weeks depending on the program, the environment helps participants thrive and prepares them for future careers in the industries they’re studying.
“I learned about new cultures, worked on team projects, and even helped others who weren’t as strong in Excel. That sense of community was amazing.”
She also remembers a guest speaker who left a lasting impression.
“She said you should never make less than what you were making when you change jobs. That really stuck with me.”
Now, Jill is thriving—and she’s paying it forward.
“Knowing Goodwill’s mission makes me want to share what I have. Doing this interview is my way of returning the favor.”
Her advice to others considering the program:
“It’s a commitment. You have to be on time, you have to show up. But it’s worth it. I’m better off because I stuck it out.”
Training programs like the one Jill 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.
If you would like to help fund Goodwill’s programs and services that are offered free-of-charge to thousands of community members annually, consider dropping off your gently used donations at one of our locations or making a financial contribution.
