Chicago Career Tech Success Stories
Del, Current Participant
Despite a Master’s degree in French Language & Literature, a stellar resume that includes international experience and up-to-date skills, Del Phillips joined the ranks of the long-term unemployed when he was laid off in 2009. He was unemployed for two years when he saw Chicago Career Tech (CCT) President Marie Lynch describe the program on WGN-TV’s Midday News, which inspired him to apply. After being accepted to the CCT program, Del heard Shelley Stern, citizenship and public affairs director for the Central region for Microsoft Corporation, and Chair of the CCT Board of Directors, speak at the Group 4 launch. “It was so refreshing to hear someone from a large corporation say they understood that we are valuable, but just needed some additional skills to obtain many of the available positions today,” said Del. “Ever since that day, I’ve been a big proponent of CCT and what they are trying to do.” Del is currently completing CCT’s Social Media Marketing program at Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy and his hands-on learning assignment is with Chicago Public Media. There, he manages the social media for Vocalo, a sister station of WBEZ-FM. “CCT has been really exciting, a great opportunity and has given me valuable new skills that I know will be an asset no matter what I do next.”
Sean, Group 4 Participant
When Sean was laid off from his executive assistant job in August 2009, he didn’t get discouraged. Rather, he became an entrepreneur. “I took all my hobbies and turned them into business opportunities,” he said. “I found work as a DJ, baker and bartender.” But working four different jobs day and night took its toll on him, so when his cousin told him about Chicago Career Tech (CCT), he jumped at the chance to apply. Once Sean was accepted to CCT, he chose to pursue the Accretive Health medical reimbursement training program. He was particularly pleased with the hands-on learning portion of the curriculum. “It was a great experience—I received lots of practical knowledge that could be applied to projects right away.” While still enrolled in the program, Sean was offered a full-time job at Accretive and is really enjoying his new position. “The new skills I learned through CCT are practical and portable. I love it here at Accretive, and thanks to CCT I’m perfectly suited for my new job.”
Heather, Group 3 Graduate
Heather had performed executive administrative support for 10 years, but after being downsized twice and laid off once, she was “completely burned out.” She felt limited in her job options and knew that she was capable of contributing more to an organization than her resume might suggest. One day, a friend suggested she check out Chicago Career Tech (CCT). She didn’t know if CCT was the right place for her, but she committed to the program enthusiastically – a decision that paved a new career direction for Heather in social media. “When you’re at sea, anything that floats looks like a lifesaver and that’s what CCT was for me,” says Heather. “I have grown professionally in this program, absolutely, but more than that, I’ve grown personally.” After completing her CCT program in Social Media Marketing at Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, Heather is now employed full-time at Akrete Communications, a local start-up B2B public relations firm with a focus on social media. She is grateful for the career counseling and networking experiences CCT provided, as she got her job at Akrete after meeting her future boss through a CCT connection. Said Heather, “Eight months ago, I couldn’t have imagined how far Chicago Career Tech would take me. I couldn’t be happier with my new job and the career path that I’m on.”
Michael, Group 3 Graduate
After several decades as a project manager in the office furniture industry, Michael’s career has taken a dramatic turn. He is finishing up the social media track at Chicago Career Tech, which has, he says, “opened doors that I didn’t even know existed!” His team at Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy—where he is completing the classroom training portion of the program—got handpicked to create the entire social media campaign for a major upcoming Hollywood movie. “Talk about resume building,” says Michael. “It’s all thanks to Flashpoint and CCT.” Michael calls making such a dramatic career path change, “exciting,” but admits that, “it was a little nerve-racking, too. After being unemployed for so long [two years], it starts to take a toll on you emotionally. But this experience has been so positive and has given me such a confidence boost. I am ready to put all of my new skills and experience to work in a full-time job. I wasn’t even sure exactly what social media was before CCT, but now look where I am!”
Ella , Group 3 Graduate
After being unemployed for 18 months from the pharmaceutical sales industry, Ella was accepted into Chicago Career Tech’s social media track at Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy. She gained hands-on learning at local business ESG Enterprises. Just a few months into the program, she was hired by Resurrection Hospital because of her new social media skills. Ella says CCT is a “great little gem in Chicago that not enough people know about!” She wants to spread the word about the program because it is thanks to CCT that she has found a whole new passion in life – social media. “My new job is all about promoting Resurrection and Holy Family Medical Center through social media,” said Ella. “Before CCT, I had heard of Twitter and LinkedIn, but I didn’t use them or really understand their value. Now, those new skills have opened up a whole new world for me.”
Rebecca, Group 3 Graduate
After working in the international importing and exporting department at a bank for 13 years, Rebecca lost her job as her employer downsized and moved to Boston. She was unemployed for over a year and realized how difficult it was to find a job without a college education. Rebecca heard about Chicago Career Tech through a relative, applied and was accepted into the program in May 2011. As part of the program, she was assigned to gain hands-on learning experience at the Carole Robertson Center for Learning to compliment her Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) track at City Colleges of Chicago. While enrolled in the program, Rebecca was offered a job as a health aid at the Center, where she was able to begin full-time work as a health aid while completing her classroom training at City Colleges. She advises those who are unemployed not to be ashamed or discouraged and to challenge themselves and not be scared of the unknown. Rebecca believes CCT’s job retraining program is a great way to, “reinvent yourself and be more appealing to prospective employers.”
Angie, Group 2 Graduate
An accomplished financial professional with a Bachelor’s degree in finance from DePaul University, Angie spent nearly 15 years exclusively with a local bank before being laid off from her position as an Equity Officer in October 2008. Being out of work gave this mother of three the opportunity to become more involved in the fight against many of the apparent social injustices that exist within her community. In October 2010, Angie began her Chicago Career Tech program in the project management track at DeVry University. She gained hands-on learning experience at JP Morgan Chase and Chicago Commons. It was at Chicago Commons that Angie excelled and was offered a full-time position as Fiscal Contracts Accountant in February 2011. Prior to CCT, Angie had never considered working for a nonprofit as a career. She was able to complete her education training and graduated in May 2011. Angie applies her skills learned in the project management track with her deep financial knowledge in her new position.
Pamella, Group 2 Graduate
A northwest side resident, Pamella had an executive assistant background, working most recently as an assistant editor in medical communications prior to being unemployed for 18 months. She struggled to find work because employers were only hiring those with a college education. Pamella has over 100 hours of college credits, but did not finish her degree. Chicago Career Tech came at the perfect time; Pamella knew she needed to make a change if she wanted to be successful. She immediately signed up for the program which began in October 2010. She gained her experience through the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) track at City Colleges of Chicago. She applied her classroom knowledge and gained hands-on learning skills at Rosenthal Collins and YOU Evanston. Upon graduating from the program, Pamella was hired by City Colleges of Chicago Workforce Institute as a Program Director. Pamella is thrilled that she not only took a chance to follow her aspirations, but also landed a job that enables her to lead other CCT participants who are going through the program.
Tim, Group 1 Graduate
After working several years in the IT industry, Tim went back to school and earned a bachelor’s degree in audio engineering from Columbia College. After graduation, he worked as an audio engineer until he decided to get out of production and enter the corporate environment. He stayed in the professional audio space but worked in business development for a manufacturer’s representative. Unfortunately, business slowed as a result of the economic slowdown. After being unemployed for a couple of months, he heard about Chicago Career Tech. As part of the pilot project management track at DeVry University, he says he gained invaluable hands-on training at Changing Worlds and Blackwell Global Consulting. He believes the experience, “expanded his professional skills and was a great tool to meet fascinating people.” Tim attributes his new-found interest in the financial services industry to CCT. He is currently employed by Ocean Tomo, an intellectual capital merchant bank. He is responsible for running business development and helping businesses drive value creation through intellectual property.
