Meet Amanda
After graduating from high school, Amanda enrolled at Baker College to pursue and complete a degree as a nurse, a goal she had always dreamed of achieving.
However, finances were tight and she could no longer afford to attend school. Disheartened, she dropped out of college and began working different factory jobs to make ends meet.
Amanda knew she wanted more for herself and her future – she just didn’t know where to get help. She visited a local Michigan Works! Service Center to seek advice on education and training, and met with a representative from Eagle Village, a Michigan Works! partner and youth employment services provider.
Through Eagle Village, Amanda received training as a certified nurse assistant and was later offered employment at a local health care facility.
Soon after her transition to another employment opportunity, Amanda became pregnant and sought a temporary clerical position until her baby was born. She contacted Eagle Village to see if they could help her find a position where she could utilize her newly acquired medical skills.
Eagle Village was able to arrange a work experience opportunity for Amanda in Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Hospital’s surgical unit. Amanda’s hard work paid off when the hospital offered her permanent employment, as they were so impressed with her abilities during the work experience.
Amanda currently works 40+ hours per week and will soon enroll at Muskegon Community College to work toward a registered nursing degree. Despite some of the barriers she’s faced, she never gave up during her time with Eagle Village and Michigan Works!.
Amanda found success through Michigan Works! West Central