“Even when we feel we’re alone, we all have something to give; we all have that spark that is ready to ignite; we just have to figure out where our light is and allow others to help us develop that light so we can shine and help others.”
Shelley* loved her job as a dog trainer at PetSmart. Her work with animals taught her the value of holistic training, and the nature of people and interpersonal relationships. She also learned the true meaning of patience in personal development for both dogs and people.
“I believe in taking one step at a time, especially when you don’t know where you’re going or what you’re doing. Take the step ahead of you and then the next step, and that’s what I try to help other people with as well, especially with the dog training.”
Shelley was the sole provider for her household, and despite her passion for her work, it became clear that she needed to find a career that provided more advancement opportunities and higher pay.
Her wife suffers from Long COVID and was unable to hold a job, and Shelley, a Canadian immigrant, faced barriers to entering more traditional U.S. corporate roles.
“The jobs that I’ve seen [at PetSmart corporate] require more education, but I also don’t think my resume was quite right when I applied for some of those roles.”
Shelley’s wife encouraged her to research a career in the semiconductor field. In her internet search for career training, Fresh Start popped up.
“I met with [Fresh Start Education Recruiter] Trey, went onto the Fresh Start website, and I found all the awesomeness,” Shelley laughed.
She didn’t get into the upcoming semiconductor program, but she was accepted into another upcoming Fresh Start program. “The Women in Finance program has given me the full picture of Fresh Start that I needed.”
During the program, Shelley utilized several other Fresh Start resources, including resource coaching, finances and budgeting, and career services. She was particularly excited to work on her personal finances with Fresh Start’s help.
“It’s so nice to have that outside perspective and [Fresh Start’s Financial Empowerment Coach] Matt has a really nice handle on how to allocate things. I’ve heard it before, but it helps to have that person walk alongside you while you’re trying to get something done.”
With her wife on disability due to her Long COVID diagnosis, Shelley continued to work full-time while attending classes for Women in Finance. She endured 12-hour days split between class and working at PetSmart for six days a week.
“One of the most challenging parts was being one person, and there are only 24 hours in a day because I work full-time, I go to class at Fresh Start, and try to find time to spend with my wife as well as some time off when I can to just recharge.”
Shelley’s time commitment to the Women in Finance program was significant, but it quickly became evident that the program provided a positive return on investment for her career and personal development.
“I have more confidence, and I’m still a work in progress. I know that I’ve gotten further ahead, but at the same time, my world has just been spinning so much. Just finishing this program has been a huge step…and it’s going to lead to the next big step.”
As the class continued, Shelley found more and more connections between the job she loved as a pet trainer and careers in the finance industry.
“With pet training, it’s helping people communicate and better understand their pets, and with finances, it’s helping people understand their money.”
She felt that the holistic approach she appreciated with pet training was evident in Fresh Start’s support and transformation of women’s lives on their journey to self-sufficiency.
“It’s holistic, it’s not just career. It’s looking at who you are, developing yourself, developing your interests and skills, and being able to talk to financial people, social workers, and lawyers.”
As the program neared its final days, Shelley felt energized to challenge her own limits, including the types of jobs she once thought were out of reach.
“The entry role for finance is to be a teller, but my passion is more for wealth management, so I’ve been applying to more of those types of roles.”
Shelley was excited to push herself to understand more areas within the finance industry and even applied to Fresh Start’s Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) program.
“I do want to be a certified dog trainer, and I do want to help people holistically there, but I also just want to find a place where I can encourage others and help others achieve their dreams and goals.”
She hopes that other women looking for resources and access to opportunities will have the courage to take one step toward a fresh start.
“Take it one step at a time. Find the mentors, find the network, trust in the process, communicate, and ask for help .”
While in the Women in Finance program, Shelley perfected her resume and applied to over 20 different finance positions in the Phoenix area. After graduating from the program, she was offered a full-time position with Vanguard.
At the core of Shelley’s Fresh Start journey, she always aimed to better herself so that she could ultimately better others. Her passion for helping pets and their “pawrents” understand each other has found new roots in the finance industry, where she can help people better understand their relationship with their finances. Her story reminds us that it’s never too late to find a new career that ignites a new spark in life.