4.

“I’d been working in the same industry for 17 years, and a layoff was the furthest thing from my mind. Then it happened; the rug was pulled out from under me. I took some time to reflect and decided to go into public service and revisit a career path I had wanted when I was young. I applied to multiple jobs every week, and after getting many interviews and even second and third interviews but no job offers, I decided to up my game.”

“I went back to school, finished my degrees, and started volunteering in the field where I wanted a job. It took about a year, but I got hired at my dream job. Without volunteering, I would have never gotten my foot in the door. Now, I get to help youth and families have better lives.”

—homeyhouse36