Michigan Works! Helps Woman Gain Confidence and Land a Job

 

When Amanda Quake entered the PATH program at Northwest Michigan Works! in Manistee, she was going through a very difficult time in her life. Her youngest son had just passed away, she was struggling to make ends meet, and needed to find a job so she could support herself and her other son.

“When I first came in [to Michigan Works] I figured it was going to be just like any other program where you’re just a number,” said Quake. “Here they make you feel like you’re among friends, you’re among family. They remember your name, they remember your story.”

At Michigan Works! Quake attended job search and interviewing skills classes, completed Key Train modules on work habits and self-improvement, and earned a National Career Readiness Certificate. She also received gas cards and clothing support services and did volunteer work which included helping other PATH participants work on their résumés.

“I was able to get back into the rhythm of a workforce,” said Quake. “It gave me the confidence I needed…and I was able to get going again and actually feel productive.”

With her confidence boosted and job search skills improved Quake was able to land a job as a client advocate at Choices of Manistee, a women’s domestic violence shelter.

“Without the confidence I would never have actually gone to an interview let alone feel like I deserved the interview,” said Quake.

Quake says she isn’t sure where she would be now without the help she got and she encourages others to use the programs offered by Michigan Works!

“Come here with an open mind,” said Quake. “Sometimes what you need and what you want are two different things. It’s all about coming in with an open mind and being willing to hear new avenues that maybe you didn’t think of before.”