Below is Ann’s story about how a layoff from her job as a claims examiner turned into a new career opportunity, thanks to Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). This is Ann’s success story, in her own words:
I want to share with you my story of how the TAA program turned my devastation into success.
It all happened March 13th, 2019 at 8 am. I was busy at work trying to meet and hold my company quota per hour and prioritizing my work for the day as I did every day the past five years with this company. I loved my stay at home position. I knew I was good at my job. I was happy.
I received an email with about 50 other employees asking us to attend a meeting immediately. During this meeting we all were told that this would be our last day with the company. Immediately after the virtual meeting my computer turned off. There I was sitting alone, with my eyes staring at the black screen. I have never experienced these feelings that started to manifest in my body. Anxiety, panic, failure, insecurity, betrayal, and more all at the same time. Questions and doubt about how was I going to get a new job, and a million other unanswered questions started flooding my mind.
I panicked and made a call to our local CareerForce center, they helped calm me down by giving me direction. I immediately started to apply for jobs and created my resume.
The time came for me to tell my family. The expressions on their faces made me feel like they blamed me for the termination, like I must have done something wrong (now I know that they didn't feel this way). I have never been terminated from a job before, it was so devastating to me. It brought me sleepless nights and severe anxiety.
I received a call from the local CareerForce office, inviting me and the other women that were dislocated from our job. This meeting was so informational and brought me hope. This meeting was the start of my journey.
The help that I was given that day gave me the tools that I needed to start a new career.
Once it was determined that our jobs were outsourced and that we were qualified to be a part of the TAA program I knew I was given a gift and that I could not waste it.
With this new opportunity I applied and started the nursing program at our local community college. I knew that I could do this, and was excited for this opportunity, although I heard some negative comments like, "you have to be smart to be a nurse." or "you're kind of old to start a nursing career." One thing about me is that if you tell me I can't, I will show you that I can.
Without help and support from the TAA program, I never would have been able to complete this program. TAA helped me get extended unemployment, paid for my books, tuition, and helped with transportation expenses. I felt so blessed that I promised to myself I would never take this gift for granted. I knew I was going to give this 110%. I was not going to waste this gift.
I graduated from nursing school December 16, 2020 with a 3.58 GPA! I applied for a nursing position at a local medical facility on December 21st, and I received a job offer on December 23rd. I successfully passed my State Board Exam in February 2021. I started work as an LPN on March 1, 2021.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think at the age of 50 I would be starting a nursing career. I never thought I would ever get an education beyond high school.
Without TAA I would not be able to give back to our community during these unprecedented times. I never would be able to be the nurse I was meant to be.
Thank you isn't enough, but I promise I will never forget the gifts I was given and I will always give back and pay it forward every day.
Thank you,
Ann
