My Story: Ceylin Brooks

When Ceylin Brooks decided to leave the Air Force after serving for six years, she moved from the Hurlburt Field Air Force installation in Northwest Florida to Tampa. The transition to civilian life was a little difficult, especially when it came to looking for a job.

While searching to find a new position, a friend told her about Goodwill Suncoast’s Job Connection Center in Riverview. The help she got there was an instant game-changer.

“I’m telling you, I got the job, so it works!”

In fact, with input and advice from Job Connection staff, Ceylin soon landed two job interviews. Best of all, she received offers for both positions! She chose to go with a full-time receptionist position at a day spa.

The most beneficial advice she received was from Goodwill’s Job Connection employment specialist Raymond Steward, who is himself an Air Force veteran. With his help, Ceylin was able to modify the jargon of her “very military” resume to align more with the civilian work force. She also learned interviewing tips and how to target her resume depending on the position she wanted.

“I felt very welcome, as if there was no such thing as a dumb question,” she says. “The Job Connection Center was a super big help!”