We all need help at some point our lives, especially when picking a career.

I know how hard it can be. I remember all the hurdles and dead ends I came across when I graduated from college and started applying for jobs. That’s part of the reason why I took a job in career development. It’s so fulfilling to help our clients find jobs that are meaningful to them.

Sanctuary’s Career Development program is a safe and supportive place where clients come to work with counselors and brainstorm ideas about what they want to do and how to get there. It’s a crucial part of our client’s journey to reintegrate into the community.

Why Work?

Joining the workforce is a pivotal time in our lives.

The career development team is here to help everyone get to their next step. Our program helps lay a steady foundation for professional skills and a successful career.

Working helps so many things, from communication skills to commitment and perseverance. There are many more benefits to working beyond just a simple paycheck. Some of these benefits are:

• Increases confidence and builds a positive self-image
• Earning money allows you to have a comfortable life
• Helps you find more friends and build a network, both professional and person
• Improves problem solving skills and intellectual ability through healthy challenges
• Provides structure and stability, preparing you for the unexpected
• Helps you understand yourself and the world around you
• Lays the foundation for future success as a member of a society

How to Work

Career Development is a personal journey, it’s a time to look within yourself to find what makes you satisfied and content. We teach clients how to channel their skills to find a job best suited to them. For example:

• School is a good fit for some, but not for others. We’ve placed clients in the local universities while they also work a fulfilling part time job
• Working with animals is a passion for many clients, but some are scared of them! We’ve also helped clients find volunteer positions at local animal shelters and the Humane Society
• We’ve had clients work for the county, the city, the school district and even as scuba instructors

But it’s never a one size fits all.

Our counselors begin with an assessment and an aptitude assessments. The we talk about goals with clients. After we identify an appropriate career path we start refining CVs, sending out applications and holding mock interviews. And we even help find the right clothes for the job!

We always teach tricks of the trade: organizing networking calls, reaching out to interviewers to thank them for the opportunity—and to reaffirm your interest in the job—and by finding creative, and safe, ways to meet face to face. Even a Zoom interview is better than the phone!

Since March, we mostly transitioned to one-on-one Zoom sessions. And, even though there may be a few less options for wor

k and volunteering, we have many virtual volunteering opportunities! From community organizations like the Mental Wellness Center and Devereux Foundation to the Unity Shoppe, Habitat for Humanity and the Smithsonian!

 

It’s important to remember that even if the first job you get isn’t your destination, but it is always a step on the journey.

Who Can Work?

Each and every one of our clients has so much to offer. There is always something they can do, and it’s always helpful—to the community and to themselves!

And everyone has different skills and passions. We help clients find theirs. Career Development works with 50-60 clients a month, and whether they come to Career development through our Sanctuary House inpatient program, through our outpatient treatment center or from the Department of Rehabilitation, they all find success in their own way. Here’s one of my favorite career development success stories:

I had a client come in who wasn’t sure where she wanted to start her career. She had a background in marketing, but did not want to go back to that. She completed her vocational assessment and it directed her toward a career helping others! She loved the idea. Together, we identified counseling as a good fit for her. She quickly found a job as a vocational assistant at a local nonprofit, channeling her experience as a job-seeker in order to help others find their dream jobs.  Now, because we’re in similar jobs, I see her at trainings and conferences for career development! We developed a strong relationship, like with many other clients, and remain in touch.

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Nobody is immune to the stress that comes with finding a job. And we all need help at some point our lives. With something as big as a career choice, it can be hard to know where to start.

But that’s why we’re here.

If you’re not ready to start applying, think about who you know that has a job you want. Reach out to schedule an information interview with them. It’s important to stay active and informed in the industry you want to work in. When you’re ready, here are some tips on how to make the perfect resume. To make sure you nail that interview, check this out!

There’s never been a better time to hone the skills you need to make sure you find professional success.