The Next Chapter

Olivia graduated from high school in May 2024, and she was on to the next phase in life, known as adulthood. As a teenager, she has had few part-time jobs at a local pizzeria and a gas station. Olivia decided it was time to pursue a career path that truly interested her, and she had her sights set on the medical field. She began job searching and landed herself a part-time job as a resident care aid at an assisted living facility. Olivia found the work to be very personally rewarding. 

She decided that she would like to take training to become a Certified Medical Assistant. She researched and found that the Sanilac Career Center offered CMA training, so the next step would be seeking out financial aid to pay for the training. The Career Center suggested that she contact GST Michigan Works! to see if she would qualify for grant funding to help with her class. 

Olivia contacted GST Michigan Works! and set up an appointment with a Career Coach. During that appointment, Olivia was approved for WIOA funding, and GST Michigan Works! was able to help by paying for her tuition for Certified Medical Assistant training, her state exams to become certified, and even provided some mileage reimbursement. Olivia completed her training in March 2025. After receiving her certification, she found an employment opportunity at Aspire Rural Health System in Marlette as a Certified Nursing Assistant and received a $3.00 per hour pay increase.