Springboard for success: Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro
Springboard for success: Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro
Many resources are available in the community to help job seekers, but there’s one that focuses solely on the needs of women.
While the overall mission of the Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro expands far beyond helping women find work, in a struggling economy it is assisting an increasing amount of job seekers and aspiring entrepreneurs.
The WRC can be a vital first step in helping women build the skills needed to network, find jobs and keep their spirits intact throughout the challenging process.
Building self-confidence
The mirror is the first stop for many job seekers. They have to like the person they see before they can market themselves. Women who have been stay-at-home moms, for instance, may have not competed in the job market for an extended period of time and can run into difficult obstacles, particularly in a recession. Their résumés don’t show the seamless employment history that employers prefer, and some of their skills may be out of date. During their job hunt, rejections may leave them doubting their self-worth.
“It’s quite a daunting thing to have to do,” said Susan Ball, who directs New Choices: Strategies for Success, a 40-hour program that offers pre-employment training for women.
To make the task less daunting, WRC’s Self-Esteem Series helps women improve their self-image. The volunteers who teach the classes are a combination of mental health counselors and volunteers who have worked with the program. Four two-hour classes probe emotions and relations, as well as spiritual and physical aspects of self-worth.
Getting to know oneself and others
Self-esteem is also the first topic participants explore in New Choices as they hone their job-seeking skills. “We kick off the session on a high note,” Ball said.
From there, they proceed to such skills as identifying career goals, networking, budgeting and résumé building.
Many women must re-examine their past experiences before they can start building their futures. Women who have been in traditional homemaker roles for a while and who are trying to find a job may think they have little to offer employers. In most cases they’re wrong, since managing a household calls for such skills as time management, multi-tasking and problem-solving.
“All the skills that a woman is using in her daily life are totally transferable,” Ball said. “We understand that there’s far more to getting a job than just showing up with your résumé and interviewing skills, so we do a lot of coaching and training.”
One downside of the recession may actually be a plus for those who still have children at home. To trim spending, employers sometimes rely on part-time workers.
“In a way, that makes it easier because it’s more flexible,” she said. “It might be a slight advantage.”
The WRC also hosts the monthly Greensboro Job Seekers Club. The club is a networking group where guest speakers give tips on such topics as business communications, interviewing and résumés. Space is limited, so those interested should call the center to reserve a seat.
Help for entrepreneurs
Starting a business involves risk-taking. But so does the process of knocking on employers’ doors during an economic downturn, when rejections are much more likely to occur.
For some, the best solution may be to find a way to work for themselves.
“We still see a number of women who want to start their own business,” said Ashley Reckard, WRC of Greensboro’s executive director. “They often can’t find jobs.”
The WRC provides free consulting and small-business information packets to aspiring entrepreneurs. The Attorney Hot Line, which offers 15 minutes of free telephone consultation with an attorney about such issues as litigation and divorce, can also give information about business startups. Clients must set appointments for this service. People who want to use the Attorney Hot Line should call the WRC at 275-6090. The staff will conduct a preliminary interview about the kind of help sought, then set up a phone appointment with an attorney.
Women who want to move forward in a new career or business may benefit from networking at the center, which has connections throughout the business and nonprofit community.
“Our main goal here is to connect women to resources in the community that are already there,” Reckard said. “We help people understand what resources they need to take with them.”
The Women’s Resource Center in Greensboro. 072609
The Women’s Resource Center in Greensboro.
Nancy Sidelinger Special Sections PhotographerAbout the Women’s resource center
The Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro is a nonprofit agency providing services to women who are facing a wide array of challenges from divorce to starting a new career or business. The programs help women face these challenges, and the center acts as a clearinghouse, directing visitors to a number of other helpful resources the community has to offer.
■ Location: 628 Summit Ave., Greensboro
■ Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday
■ Information: Call 275-6090 or visit www.womenscentergso.org
New Choices program: A springboard for success
Angela Taylor didn’t have to worry very much about looking for work until last year when she lost her source of income. She quickly faced the challenges of looking for a job in a tight employment market.
“During that course of time, the process has changed, not only for corporate America but for the job seeker,” said Taylor, who has a background in various areas such as real estate, retail management and customer service.
So she participated in the Women’s Resource Center’s New Choices: Strategies for Success program in September 2008 and she also volunteers at the center.
Classes through the program designed for unemployed displaced homemakers gave Taylor a new handle on who she is. An introvert, she credits New Choices for helping her become a more outgoing person. She’s since joined Toastmasters, a public speaking organization, and works the floor helping participants at seminars at the WRC. Like many people, she’s still seeking work. She hopes to find something in human resources or office administration, and one day hopes to run her own business.
Like others who have used the WRC’s services, Taylor has found it a welcome starting point in what can be a difficult process.
“It provides the information to find where you fit in,” Taylor said. “If you do what you love, you will always be employed and you will be happy with what you do.”
— Craig Miller
Find out more
■ What: New Choices: Strategies for Success. The program covers topics such as networking, interviewing, budgeting, identifying career goals, résumés and self-esteem building.
■ Where: Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro, 628 Summit Ave.
■ When: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 9-30. Classes take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
■ Information: To determine if you qualify for the program and to register, call Susan Ball at 275-6090, ext. 223.
