As a dedicated single mother pursuing a management track at McDonald's, Andrea Kelly decided to enter a career involving construction with an interest in electrical work. She applied to Workforce Investment Solutions to join the Pre-Apprenticeship program offered through the Youth to Career Pathways grant.
Andrea was a committed student and hard worker! She continued to work at McDonald's during the Pre-Apprenticeship program until it was time to enter work experience through the Pre-Apprenticeship class. It was a leap of faith to quit her full-time job and take a chance on work experience with Bodine Electric. Andrea loved her job with Bodine Electric; the company hired her after completing the work experience. She applied and entered a Registered Apprenticeship through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in February 2023.
She was selected to attend the State of the Union Address in Washington, D.C. as Congresswoman Nikki Budzinsk's guest. This was an excellent experience for Andrea; she is now a successful IBEW apprentice!
Before Midwest Career Source (MCS), I was a caregiver at an Assisted Living Facility for older adults with Alzheimer’s. After four months of working there, the facility closed, leaving me uncertain about what to do. As a follower of Christ, I began praying and asking Him for direction, and then I surrendered my career path to him. Soon after, He directed me to return to school and become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). I saved money from previous jobs to be readily willing to invest in my career.
During my search to become certified, the first CNA school that came up was Midwest Career Source, and to my surprise, it was around the corner from my home. I began reading the information on their website: paid training and tuition covered. This piqued my interest so much that I called the school to confirm! The Office Coordinator confirmed the information and scheduled an appointment to bring in the required documents and to take the pre-entrance test. I was well on my way! I knew this was where I fit.
Unfortunately, I failed the entrance test, not once but TWICE. The fantastic staff at MCS was so dedicated to my success that I was scheduled to meet with a tutor to help prepare for the third attempt. In our tutoring sessions, I was taught excellent testing techniques, including ways to break down the questions to understand the meaning; I was never taught these techniques in high school. I met with Dr. Day, who continually encouraged me not to give up. After completing my sessions with the tutor, I was approved to retest, and after the third time taking the entrance test, I successfully passed. I was allowed to choose a facility where I wanted to work, I chose St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and was offered a full-time position.
In the classroom setting, I was super focused on my work, and the instructors were hands-on; they wanted to see us succeed, and I was grateful for their dedication. The Administrators and Instructors gave me everything I needed to be successful in the classroom and as a CNA working on the floor providing care to my patients. There are great benefits that come with this program that helped me: paid training, a new job, counseling/guidance, and health benefits, to name a few.
MCS also prepared us for the Illinois State Exam. Though I had trouble along the way with testing, I felt confident and at ease with taking the state exam. I also shared these feelings of peace and confidence with my classmates when encouragement was wanted and needed. Dr. Day told us we would receive our results within a couple of days of taking the exam. My results came via email, and I passed the state exam!
I’m doing well at St. Elizabeth, and my colleagues are all amazing and supportive with helping on and off the floor.
My time at MCS was a humbling experience because I know God led me there. I now have Midwest Career Source, nurse mentors, and doctors that have been great with helping to further my education on my journey to becoming a Nurse Practitioner.