Paola

“I have a degree in electrical engineering, but I couldn’t get a job and felt down, and for five years I did nothing.” 

During the five years after earning her degree, Paola* took random jobs to make ends meet.  

“I was working in the fast-food industry, and I didn’t want to keep doing that. Then I went into construction for a year and a half. I didn’t know what I was doing. I wasn’t going to school, and I wasn’t doing anything with my degree.” 

She decided to go back to school and started taking classes at Glendale Community College. There, she saw a course for semiconductor technician and signed up but was put on the waitlist. To her surprise, she then started seeing ads for another semiconductor technician class, this time through Fresh Start Women’s Foundation.  

“I felt more comfortable right away when I saw that Fresh Start only helps women. I already worked in male-dominated industry as an engineering major.” 

She decided to apply and was accepted into the course in Spring 2024 at Estrella Community College.  

“I was still unsure at the start. But the first day I felt better. I hadn’t heard of Fresh Start before, and I wasn’t sure what was going on. But I felt important here and kept going because I felt like Fresh Start could help me.” 

Paola was a naturally shy person and felt enveloped in the comfort of a classroom of women who showered each other with support.  

“It was a very supportive group. They were very talkative, and I’m not, but they would keep trying to talk to me, and that was nice. If I was in a group of men, I would’ve been even more shy. The women were really nice and uplifting.” 

Her shyness was one of the most challenging elements of her time at Fresh Start, but her peers ensured that she continued to feel comfortable in the classroom. As the course ended and the prospect of interviews loomed, Paola wondered if she could step outside of her shyness.  

“I still feel very shy, and it takes a lot of confidence to do the interview well. I can’t really sell myself and sometimes I just want to tell them, ‘I don’t know if I’m good enough.’ So, giving me confidence is key to changing my life.” 

As she continued to work on her self-confidence in the safe environment created by Fresh Start, Paola acknowledged the success of finishing the course. 

“I’m proud that I pushed myself to finish the course. I was stagnant before, so pushing myself through to begin moving forward again is a success.” 

Fresh Start and the semiconductor technician class showed Paola that she can continue to build her confidence while on the search for a fulfilling career.  

“When I was in the period where I wasn’t doing anything but working at a fast-food restaurant, I felt really down and depressed. I went to therapy, and they encouraged me to start classes again. Now I feel more confident and know that I can keep going. I’m not stuck anymore.”