Shakeitta began Career Online High School in June and immediately clicked with the program. She loved that, through Career Online High School, she had an academic coach who pushed and encouraged her every step of the way. She also felt very supported by the West Alabama Works team and knew we wanted to help her succeed. Shakeitta says that the Career Online High School classes worked for her because the material was easy to understand and the teaching was clear. We are proud to say that she graduated from the Career Online High School program on November 3rd!

The team has also connected with our Career Center pre-screen process. Although she was unable to qualify for specific benefits it was our next step. It led to a discussion of Career pathways which led to arranging a session with a Career coach at Shelton State.

In March, Shakeitta is beginning an Associate’s program at Shelton State Community College in Business, Office Management, and Technology. She is hoping to one day start her own business and thinks this program will give her valuable skills and applicable knowledge to work towards her dreams.

I made it all the way to 12th grade but it was just too hard for me to finish. I had a lot of encouragement, but I felt like my daughter who is a 'total care child' was more important to me. I thought I'd never finish so I ended up trying to obtain my GED, but come to find out when I wanted to start Shelton the GED I thought I obtained was not accredited. So this program came about at such a perfect time.

Do it, it’s the best thing. It’s a feeling of relief for me and it’s something I thought I would never have and through this program I was able to obtain it. So, it’s a dream come true, a total dream come true. Yes I'm 46, but I did it!

West AlabamaWorks! was a monumental part of my career. I want to thank them for having an event like WOW (Worlds of Work) and allowing me to be apart of it. I was able to learn about different career options at a crucial age when everyone asks "what's next? Now, I am a third year apprentice in the TJAC Local 372 Union working at McAbee Construction. This would not have been possible without having experienced WOW and WOW 2.0 and learning about opportunities right in town. I'm forever Grateful.