Megan’s CWEE Story

 Few people have experienced CWEE as Megan has: both as a career seeker and now as a staff member on #teamCWEE.

 Megan came to CWEE as a participant in 2021 as she was transitioning from staying home with her daughter. It also coincided with the decision to end the relationship with her partner, which left Megan feeling relieved but also intimidated at the prospect of returning to the labor force after a few years away. Her previous jobs were not roles she wanted to go back to.

 “It’s stressful going from a stay-at-home mom at 31; a lot of my 30-year-old friends were established in their careers, had degrees, and I felt like I had nothing to offer.”

 “Everyone was so supportive at CWEE. We talked about what I wanted in a job, what skills I needed, and what documents I needed to apply. I wanted a normal Monday through Friday job, but I didn’t know where to start, and it was overwhelming.”

 But step by step Megan practiced new skills and her confidence grew. She felt great about the resume and cover letter she put together, and she became more self-assured after learning about the idea of transferable skills. She now knew how to communicate to prospective employers that the skills she’d gained in catering and restaurant work – and as a mother – were directly transferable to administrative, customer service and other roles.

 “I took advantage of the mock interviews and that was really helpful to be able to practice interview skills without a job on the line. At CWEE I got a lot of support and a lot of building up of my confidence, which is exactly what I needed.”

In spring of 2022 Megan saw a job posting for a Program Coordinator at CWEE. She applied, interviewed, and a week or so later found out she got the job.

“I cried, I called my dad. I wanted to give back to an organization that I felt gave so much to me. I don’t know if I would be where I am now if I didn’t have someone telling me, ‘You got this. Sure you don’t have the degree, but you have the strengths, the skills, the personality.’” 

In 2023, Megan was promoted to the Manager of Education and Employment Services role at CWEE, giving her an opportunity to connect with and support even more career seekers.

In her work with CWEE participants, Megan is a powerful cheerleader, bringing a special passion and connection to the work.

 “A lot of what our participants go through I have never experienced, but I know it gives people reassurance that there are people who know what you have been through and how it feels.”

 Recently Megan told one of her participants that she was proud of what she had accomplished. The participant looked surprised and told Megan that she was the first person to ever tell her that.

 “That’s my main motivator – for people to know they are supported, that we are here for them, and give people the love, the kindness, the honesty that maybe they haven’t gotten before.”