My Goodwill Story – Elliott 

It’s back-to-school season which might bring up thoughts of finding the perfect first day outfit at Goodwill or tracking down that long list of school supplies. But for some, going back to school looks a little different.

That was the case for Elliott, who first came to Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. (Nashville) after a friend recommended that he check it out. As a young man, he was right at the beginning of his career journey and trying to figure out what path to take. He was interested in getting some nationally recognized certifications to help him break into a new career field.

Once he was at Goodwill, Elliott didn’t shy away from courses. He took a variety to ensure he had the best possible chance of success. That included NCCER Skilled Trades, OSHA 10, financial literacy and an OSHA Forklift Safety course.

These courses set up Elliott for a skilled trades job. However, he also discovered how much he enjoyed learning through these various opportunities that Goodwill had provided.

That’s when he decided he wanted to enroll in college. He started at the University of Tennessee to earn his bachelor’s degree, studying business. Given his coursework at Goodwill, Elliott decided that a business degree combined with his skilled trade knowledge would help him eventually create his own construction company.

He’s now working toward that goal and is grateful that Goodwill was able to provide him with the tools he needed to get started on his educational journey.

When asked about his experience at Goodwill, he explained that, “This program has been such a wonderful opportunity for me to reinvest in myself and my future.”

If you or someone you know are interested in going back to school, reach out to your local Goodwill career center to see what courses might propel you into your next position.