|
Success Story
 Transitioning To A New Life
Kathy Allan used to be a bookkeeper with three part time jobs just to survive. Now she's got one jon in the health care field and thriving.
Transitions Career Consultants was able to help Allan get on the path towards her new career.
Allan, a single mom, knew she needed a change when she dreaded her teenager asking for $3 to go to the store for a treat.
She was barely making ends meet and her jobs came to an end - on the same day.
Allan said she went to transitions at the lowest point in her life and with the staff's support and encouragement she was able to create an action plan and carry it out.
"I remember when I went to Transitions to apply and I was so upset, I felt like crying and I just felt so embarrassed and so ashamed that with my education I could not get work," Allan explained. "The people at Transitions were fabulous."
After job-shadowing people in the health-care community, Allan had to ask the big question.
"I get to do this every day and someone will pay me to do it?"
Allan said she knew she was supposed to be in the medical field when she discovered she would be helping people. The things she really enjoyed like doing computer work, working in science and even her bookkeeping experience all came together in one job.
"I felt like I was home," Allan said.
Transitions is a designated co-coordinator for the Canada - BC Labour MArket Development Agreement and co-operates with other community service agencies to assist individuals to get back to work as quickly as possible in appropriate careers.
On a more personal note, Allan said she chose to change careers in order to be a good example for her daughter.
"I wanted to be a good role model and didn't want to live in poverty any longer," Allan said.
"My mom always said learn what you can and that kept me going."
During this time of transition, Allan lost both her parents, kept up with two part time jobs and struggled to raise her daughter. She said the adversity just made her more determined.
"I'm hard working and I deserved to have a job to support my family and I wasn't going to let anything stop me," Allan said.
The people at Transitions were able to point Allan towards the College of New Caledonia where she did her upgrading and a diploma course to achieve her dream.
She has been in the medical community for the last six months and said she was able to find employment on a team of like-minded people where patients come first.
"I want to thank God, my family and friends for all their support," said Allan.
Reprinted from The Prince George Citizen, June 6, 2009,
Christine Skorepa, Citizen Staff
Back to Skills Training Assistance
|
