My Story: Patrice Baugh
February 22, 2010 |
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Many years ago, I saw a sign on a metro bus that advertised computer skills and ten-key skills—skills and experiences I didn’t have. I kept seeing them advertised in the newspaper by employers, and I knew I couldn’t even get my foot in the door without those skills. My interest definitely was definitely piqued. I could also earn an hourly wage, which was extremely important.
At the Seattle Goodwill®, I was able to take job interview and coaching classes, and I had a great supervisor at the time in the production department that really focused on discipline. I gained the confidence to interview at The Seattle Times where, nine months earlier, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to go in and feel like I could contribute. Because of my Goodwill experience, I got hired and I stayed there for fourteen years.
Now, I’m an insurance agent at PEMCO insurance, and I’m loving it. The focus is on being a team player and celebrating the diversity of our customers that come from various backgrounds. At Goodwill, I met wonderful people from all backgrounds, and that experience has really helped me.
While I credit Jesus Christ with opening up all doors in my life, I give Goodwill the credit for giving me the confidence to walk through them. I never envisioned that, this many years later, I would still be reaping the rewards of my decision to join the Goodwill program many years ago. Jobs change lives and I was able to get a great job and a career because that door was opened.
Listen to Patrice Baugh tell her story in this week’s My Story Podcast.
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