Gloria Transitions from Retail to Government Work

After working in retail for 25 years, Gloria was looking for a new career.

 “I wanted to work for the State, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it because it just seemed hard to get your foot in the door,” said Gloria. Then she learned about Hired’s Office Administration Career Pathways program and she signed up. “It was an opportunity for me to get the career change I was looking for.”

 “What I mainly worked on in the course was a refresher of skills that I could use – like typing and filing, office procedures and computer skills. The class helped me with my transferable skills.”

 At the time, Gloria was working another job which complicated life a bit. The Career Pathways manager would help Gloria when she had some complication in life such as transportation issues.

 “The Hired program has helped me a lot and without the program I don’t think I would have gotten a position,” said Gloria. “What touched me the most about the Hired program happened after I graduated. I was placed in a job and an issue came up I had to deal with. I contacted the program manager and explained what was going on and with she began to brainstorm and see what could be done to help resolve that issue. The program manager hung in there with me. I really appreciate how she walked with me through my journey until I was hired in a permanent position. I thank God and am so grateful for the Hired program.”

 Gloria finished the office administration training and was hired in a temporary position with the Driver and Vehicle Services in November 2018. In June of 2019, she was hired permanently with the State of Minnesota. She’s still working at the State in the Records Unit of the Driver & Vehicle Services and really likes the variety of her job.

 “If you want to better yourself, go over to Hired,” said Gloria. “They’ll help you get into class and get situated. If you have anything in life that is deterring you, they want to help you succeed. Go apply.”