Journey to a Career in Healthcare
Nikolas entered GST Michigan Works! Owosso Service Center with a strong desire to build a career in healthcare. While highly motivated, he faced financial barriers that made it difficult to access the training needed to move forward, and he needed a boost to get established in the healthcare field.
His journey began when he attended a Career Services/WIOA Orientation. During his appointment, Nikolas openly discussed his career goals and barriers. Together with staff, an action plan was developed. It focused on assessing his skills and aptitudes, career goals, researching available job opportunities, and culminated in researching available Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training programs.
Nikolas qualified for the WIOA funding and was enrolled on 6/11/2025. At enrollment, he was working part-time at Los Tres Amigos, 20 hours per week with no benefits. With support from WIOA and JMG, Nikolas began CNA training at Baker College on June 17, 2025. Throughout the program, he remained committed, positive, and focused on his long-term goals until he finished!
Nikolas successfully passed both CNA exams and immediately began searching for employment in the healthcare field. His dedication and perseverance paid off when he secured employment as a Certified Nursing Assistant with Pleasant View (Shiawassee County Medical Care Facility), earning $4 more per hour than his restaurant job, working 36 hours per week, and receiving medical, dental, and vision benefits.
Reflecting on his journey, Nikolas shared, “I’m thriving. I am forever grateful for all the help you guys gave me.”
Nikolas has successfully transitioned from underemployment to a stable, benefit-earning, healthcare career and is well-positioned for continued growth in the healthcare field.
Nikolas’s journey was not without challenges. Financial barriers were a significant obstacle throughout his path, including the cost of CNA training and required certification exam fees. Balancing part-time employment with training responsibilities also requires strong time management and persistence. Through these challenges, Nikolas learned the value of advocacy, accountability, and perseverance. By staying engaged with his Career Coach, asking for support when barriers arose, and remaining focused on his long-term goals, he was able to successfully navigate each obstacle. This experience reinforced the importance of utilizing available resources, maintaining consistent participation, and trusting the process.