Many in our community continue to find new opportunities to grow their careers, and our Workforce Program is here to support them every step of the way. One recent participant, Ailed Guzman, earned her marketing certificate through the Workforce’s Arrob@s program. In addition to her marketing training, Ailed also pursued court-related coursework outside of the program, gaining valuable exposure to the legal system and opening up new career possibilities.
Ailed first connected with Guadalupe Centers as a teacher’s assistant during the summer program. Wanting to stay informed about new opportunities, she signed up for our newsletter. Around that time, she learned about the Arrob@s Program and enrolled to earn her marketing certificate, setting her sights on a future role as a graphic designer.
Throughout her journey, the Workforce Program provided consistent support. Ailed worked closely with Xochitl, a Workforce Coach, who encouraged her, reviewed her résumé, and offered mock interviews with constructive feedback. More importantly, Xochitl helped Ailed build confidence.
“My biggest challenge was finding confidence in myself. Interviews are mostly about selling yourself, but I couldn’t sell myself because I didn’t think I was capable enough to do the tasks that each job listing described. Thanks to Xochitl, she helped me see my strengths and work on my weaknesses.”
Today, Ailed is a Program Support Specialist at Jackson County CASA, where she combines her passion for social work and the law. She primarily works with family court—an area new to her—but one that she feels deeply connected to because of the impact it has on children navigating the court system. She credits her time in the Workforce Program with giving her the confidence to ask for help and lean on her colleagues whenever challenges arise.
Even after “graduating” from the program, Ailed has remained closely connected with Guadalupe Centers. Most recently, she served as an interpreter at the Workforce Development Job Fair. “I was very honored to be asked to translate. I know from experience that job searching can be vulnerable,” she said. “These are hard times, so being able to help my community with an already daunting task meant the world to me. I’d gladly do it again.”
This mutual support has created a lasting relationship. Ailed knows she can turn to the Workforce Program for guidance in times of financial or career difficulty, while the program can rely on her to give back as a volunteer. Her advice to anyone hesitant about reaching out is simple: “There is always something to learn, and they offer many opportunities to strengthen your résumé and interview skills. Plus, they connect you with employers and can vouch for your skills. It’s an amazing program that has definitely helped me find my dream job.”
