“I feel so confident. I now have the tools to keep going. I’m so anxious and excited to see what position and job I’m going to land because I know it’s going to be a good one.”
In Spring 2024, Nicole* sought employment after being a stay-at-home mother for four years. She knew that to begin the career change she wanted and get a foot in the door, she needed to skill-up.
“I was looking for a new certification to help me land a better job to provide for my children.”
Nicole was searching for jobs on Indeed when Fresh Start’s Semiconductor Technician Quick Start Training Program popped up.
“My background is in medical, so hearing about (semiconductor) chips and new technology, I thought it would be a good career change.”
She applied to the cohort set to begin in April 2024. As the class started, she was excited to learn new processes and procedures necessary to work in the semiconductor industry.
“I learned about schematics and electricity. Things that I never thought I’d learn about. I feel more confident going into this workforce now, especially with semiconductors. I got a big understanding of what I will be doing.”
In addition to the semiconductor class, Nicole also worked with Fresh Start team members on her budget and finances.
“The finance day where we got to set up with a financial advisor, I’ve never done that. It was so cool to see where I stand financially, and the information I was given was helpful.”
Nicole’s biggest challenge was her daily commute to class from her home in Peoria. She wasn’t used to long drives on the freeway, but she stayed motivated by keeping her end goal in sight. She turned to her fellow classmates if she ever struggled to hold onto the vision for her future.
“The sisterhood at Fresh Start is very true… There were women from all kinds of backgrounds; there were teachers, engineers, and stay-at-home mothers… The other women in the program motivated me. We all motivated each other. We were initially nervous, but each day, the more we went, the more confident we became to keep going.”
The two-week class ended, and Nicole took the test to attain her semiconductor technician certification.
“Fresh Start gave me a new certification under my belt, and it broadened my horizons in seeking work and a career. I took financial workshops, did the resume work, and learned how to speak in interviews. It was an awesome experience, and I’m honored to have been chosen and helped by Fresh Start.”
Nicole hopes that her story will inspire other women who are seeking change in their lives to jump in with both feet.
“I would recommend Fresh Start to other women, 100 percent. Everybody you will encounter, from the security who greets you at the door, has been friendly… I hope it inspires another woman to do what I did, to challenge themselves to do the course. You’re smarter than you think. If I can do it, so can they.”
After taking the Semiconductor Technician Quick Start Training Program and earning her certification, Nicole was hired as an apprentice at Intel in June 2024.
“I have a sense of pride now. I feel great. I feel like I accomplished something. (My goal in) getting back into the workforce was to provide the best I could for my children. That was my ultimate goal, and I’m looking forward to my next step.”