Determination

In January 2026, Kathryn lost her job as a community health worker. She applied for unemployment and came to GST Michigan Works! to register for work as required by the Unemployment Insurance Agency. When she arrived, she began telling the Career Coach more about her situation and previous work experience. 

While talking with Kathryn, she shared that she had previously worked as a Medical Assistant and really enjoyed that line of work. However, Kathryn did not have her Clinical Medical Assistant certification, which is now required by most employers. The Career Coach explained that WIOA funding might be able to help with the cost of her training. With a little more conversation and paperwork, Kathryn was deemed eligible and approved to take Clinical Medical Assistant training at the Sanilac Career Center. 

She began training in February 2026 with GST Michigan Works! funding her tuition. As she progressed with training, she began inquiring about possible job opportunities. She had applied to Aspire Thumb Pediatrics and was able to secure an interview! During her interview, she mentioned her previous Medical Assistant experience, as well as being enrolled in the training to get her Clinical Medical Assistant certification. They hired Kathryn on March 1st as a Medical Assistant. Upon completion of her certification on May 20th, she received a two-dollar-per-hour raise!