August is back-to-school season, a time when people of all ages take steps toward new goals. For many, that means returning to the classroom. For others, it means finding the right support to make that return possible. Goodwill® is proud to be part of that journey, whether it’s through career services, training or even affordable back-to-school shopping at our stores.
From Seasonal Work to a Career with Purpose
For Mykiah, back-to-school meant a big transformation. She started with Goodwill in a seasonal minimum-wage job and now holds a full-time salaried position with a clear path forward. Here’s how she did it.
Mykiah often drove past the resource center at Goodwill Industry of Arkansas (Little Rock) without knowing what was inside. That changed in November 2022 when she was looking for work and joined Goodwill as an HR assistant. Within six months, she advanced to mission services specialist and began taking courses through the Goodwill Academy (GWA) to build her skills.
Along the way, Mykiah completed GWA courses in mental health first aid, CPR, general first aid, the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator® and crisis prevention/intervention. Importantly, her new position also meant she could move out on her own, buy a vehicle and start graduate school. By August 2023, she was enrolled in a master’s program in clinical mental health counseling.
As she worked through doubts about her career direction, Mykiah turned to Goodwill’s career navigator for guidance. Through career counseling and the JOFI Assessment, she discovered her passion for working with students. That insight helped her shift to a school counseling track in her graduate program.
A New Role, a Clearer Path
Mykiah also expressed interest in becoming a life coach at The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s tuition free high school for adults, while continuing her studies. Soon after that conversation, a life coach position opened at The Excel Center. Goodwill Industries of Arkansas helped Mykiah update her résumé and prepare for a panel interview. She landed the job and took another step toward her goal of becoming a school counselor.
Through this experience, Mykiah found her passion for helping others, set career goals and made real progress toward achieving them. She shared, “I greatly appreciate everything Goodwill has given me, especially the supportive community that has surrounded me during my time here. I am eager to keep growing and excited for what lies ahead in my life.”
If you or someone you know is ready to take the next step in your career or education, reach out to the Goodwill career center closest to you. We’re here to help you move forward.
