 CTC Success
 Stories
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If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Jane Addams
Resource Corporation
4432 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
773.728.9769
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"Staying Competitive"
Michele Miller, a resident of Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, was drawn to JARC by its accessibility to her neighborhood. As job seeker in search of the right skills to build a successful career as an Administrative Assistant, Miller is no stranger to the need for computer proficiency in the job market. She’s taken test after test on her computer skills at staffing agencies, and in January, she enrolled in Access and Excel classes at JARC to improve her capability.
In the current job market, she said, “if you’re not confident” about using MS Office, “then you have a problem.”
Michele has been an energetic student at JARC. Having finished Excel and Access classes in February, plus JARC’s QuickBooks Workshop in January, she enrolled in PowerPoint, Advanced Access, and Internet classes in March, while also working on her resume in JARC’s weekly Job Club sessions. She plans to attend QuickBooks classes here, too. She has been an enthusiastic promoter of JARC’s classes, volunteering to distribute flyers to her neighbors, to area churches, businesses, and to her friends who are currently employed as Administrative Assistants.
Michele is enthusiastic about JARC because of the quality of its programs. She describes the CTC program as “responsive and organized,” with courses that “flow in sequence,” comprising a “complete [and] comprehensive package” of MS Office skills, addressing not only the procedures needed to operate the programs, but the “reasoning process” necessary for independent problem-solving. In addition, Miller mentioned that the instructors and staff conduct classes in a “professional manner,” permitting her to explore the programs in a supportive environment.
In the future, Miller sees herself in a full-time position as an Administrative Assistant. Her words of advice to future CTC students, including those she recruits, are to “read the material and answer the questions [at the end of the lessons.]” She might have added that an excellent attendance record, such as her own, certainly helps the learning process.
JARC is fortunate to work with a motivated student such as Michele. We expect to see her progress toward her goal of finding a job, where her motivation and skills will surely shine.
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“Punctuality and Persistence”
James (Jim) C. Moore is a CNC Operator, a graduate of the Careers in Manufacturing Program (CMP), a financial education student, and one of the CTC’s most recent success stories. His involvement with JARC began in November, 2006, when he enrolled in the Introduction to Computers class. He wanted to bounce back from unemployment. A motivated learner, Jim hoped to use JARC’s computer training as a gateway to a new career in computer programming. As one of the CTC’s most dedicated students, Jim was always on time for class, and he often spent his afternoons in Open Lab practicing with course materials. With his skills increasing almost visibly each week, Jim finished one class after another, obtaining Basic Skills, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint certificates by May, 2007. An actively engaged learner, Jim credits punctuality, persistence, and a goal-oriented mindset for his progress. To those who know Jim, these habits are his signature. One instructor recalls Jim returning to class just one week after receiving a major surgical procedure. “I kept going through the pain,” Jim said.
Jim sought employment services from JARC in January 2007. Megan Spellman, Job Coach, informed him of JARC’s CMP training. Following a springtime job search which turned up few promising leads, Jim enrolled in CMP. This cycle of CMP was a “Fast Track for CNC Operators” where he learned to program, set-up and operate CNC milling and turning machines. He also prepared for the NIMS CNC Milling Level 1 credential. Additionally, Jim’s CMP curriculum included computer skills, workplace readiness and financial education. He pursued extracurricular enrichment in each area. He had near perfect attendance during the program – an echo of his record in the CTC.
During his time at JARC, Jim went from living in a local community shelter to his own private apartment, where his computer certificates are on display. He also secured a job at a local manufacturing company, where he is working as a CNC operator. Although Jim has achieved some of his goals, he insists that his journey is far from over. Over time, he hopes to continue his computer education in pursuit of advanced programming skills. He intends to remain involved with JARC, both as a financial education student and as a volunteer in the CTC or the Adult Learners Program. With his eyes set characteristically on the prize, Jim does not intend to slow down.
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Human Development