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When Veronica Dixon lost her job in November she was scared. After being an office assistant for seven years, she had come to rely on a steady income. Being unemployed was a scary situation and Dixon admits she was more than on edge. But a call to the unemployment office gave her a new perspective.
"The receptionist told me to try Pittsburgh/Allegheny CareerLink. I knew I had nothing to lose, so I did," she says.
Although she had never heard of the organization, Dixon says she decided to try it because she had nothing to lose and needed to find another job. From the moment she came to CareerLink, she felt better about her situation. Counselor Don Mangel began showing Dixon the services offered by the organization and started to rebuild her confidence.
"He was reassuring and put me back on the right track," says Dixon. "I am so grateful for the skills and employment training he said I was eligible to receive."
After registering in the CareerLink system and speaking with Mangel, Dixon realized she was eligible for WIA (Workforce Investment Act) training money. With that discovery, Dixon says she was encouraged to enter Duff's Business Institute to earn a degree. The Workforce Investment Act is a Federal act authorizing funds to state and local communities to support workforce development activities increasing employment, retention, and earnings of youth and adults through training and education.
Since her previous career had not included any computer training, Mangel encouraged Dixon to broaden her skills. Before she graduated in June with a computer operation degree, she had two job offers. Dixon managed to increase her pay by three dollars an hour as an administrative assistant at a local property management company.
"Anyone in my situation would be foolish not to take advantage of CareerLink. If an organization is willing to help you improve your life, you should do it. Learning does pay off."
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