“For me, it was breaking generational trauma of treating women poorly. I don’t want to give my daughter that trauma. It ends with me. I’m breaking that cycle.”
For Cindy* and her boyfriend, their first-born daughter was the joy of their life. After giving birth, her boyfriend became the sole financial provider, and Cindy transitioned to being a stay-at-home mom. She knew it was a luxury not many women could afford, but when her daughter turned one, she wanted to return to the workforce.
“I’ve been at home, and I loved it, especially being a first-time mom. I just wanted to be with her. After about a year, I thought, ‘I’m ready to go to work.’ I didn’t want to be at home.”
Cindy began applying to jobs, even entry-level openings, at her local Walmart and CVS, but she shared, “I got the email that they were moving forward with other candidates, and that hurt. I was depressed, I was sad, I was wondering, ‘What’s wrong with me? I can’t get a job.’ I was sad for a while; I felt worthless and useless.”
Before one of her daughter’s check-up appointments, doctors asked Cindy to fill out a form with various postpartum questions. She was shocked at the last one, which asked: Do you have a tough time finding employment?
“At first, I put ‘no’. Then, I sat there thinking, ‘I have a hard time finding employment.’ But I was embarrassed. And then I just thought, ‘Screw it,’ and I erased the no and added ‘yes.’
The doctor came into their room, and after reviewing Cindy’s answers, he asked if he could give her employment resources. One of those resources was Fresh Start.
Cindy took steps forward to connect with Fresh Start and spoke with team members who presented all the trainings and resources offered at Fresh Start. She was shocked at the variety of options and the fact that they were all free of charge.
Cindy’s main goal was to secure a job, and Fresh Start’s Women in Finance program provided ample employment opportunities that would follow program completion, which excited her most.
While she waited for the program to start, Cindy battled negative commentary from family members and friends who doubted her choice to work toward a career in finance.
“I had people around me telling me I was dumb. It pushed me to prove them wrong. It’s more motivating for me to be told that I can’t.”
Her friends and mother questioned why she would ever want to give up being a stay-at-home mom when it was an option her family could afford.
“My friends are like, ‘I wish I could be a stay-at-home mom; my partner can’t do it or won’t let me.’ But I have that luxury, and I gave it away.”
With others’ opinions in mind, Cindy began the first few days of the Women in Finance program and contemplated dropping out.
“I hadn’t experienced anything like it (the program) and wasn’t sure I fit in. I was thinking, ‘This isn’t right for me.’ But I kept coming, day by day, and I was in my head thinking that I would probably drop out…Then, as the days went on, I actually liked coming in, making these friendships, and learning about finance. The days went by, and it was fun, and the instructor, Sara, was amazing.”
She was learning so much more than she ever anticipated, and not only about the financial industry: banking, mortgages, budgets, and fraud basics. Cindy also attained soft skills instruction.
“We did mock interviews and role play, practicing many different scenarios. We also practiced speed interviewing, which I had to do before. It’s super stressful and can cause anxiety.”
Fresh Start’s considerate and proactive training put all her worries at ease.
“Fresh Start helped me through the whole thing. They helped me with interview preparation, helped fix my resume, and I feel like I’m on a great path now.”
She is excited to work towards her ideal financial niche in fraud and achieve her personal financial goals.
“I’ve become smarter through the journey too. I know about credit now; I learned and think differently now. I know that building a credit and paying off debt, I’m going to take all of that with me wherever I go.”
In March 2025, Cindy was hired by Bank of America. After settling in at her new employer, Cindy hopes to return to Fresh Start for the Securities Industry Essentials program.
“I want to keep getting these certificates and see how far I can go. I want to prove the people in my life wrong. That’s my motivation.”
Cindy hopes that other moms who feel stuck and want to do better for themselves and their children know that they can make a name for themselves.
“I hope they know it’s not the end… Your life isn’t over when you become a mom; there are so many opportunities to do better and be somebody… You can be great and do things, and you don’t have to rely on anyone. There are people out there that will support you in getting there.”