Traci

Traci* came to Fresh Start in November 2023 at the recommendation of a friend after years of working in temporary roles.  

“I was struggling with work and bills. Just struggling. Struggling to hold a job, to find work and stability.” 

Traci was hesitant to reach out to Fresh Start as she was unsure of exactly how it could be to her benefit.  

“Fresh Start kept encouraging me and sent me emails about the process of applying to its cohorts,” she recalled. “I knew I needed to be open. I needed to stop thinking my life must look a certain way and be open to opportunities.” 

When she had a potential job fall through, Traci decided it was time to act, taking a leap of faith, she applied to Fresh Start’s semiconductor cohort.  

“I had no idea initially that I would end up getting skilled in a new field that I could go into. I had no idea it would be as helpful as it has been. This has been an incredible opportunity.” 

Back in 2015, Traci completed education and training in a career field that she thought would be her “forever role.” Instead, what started out as a promising opportunity, quickly didn’t match up with her expectations.  

“I feel like that career field chewed me up and spit me out,” she said.  

As she tried to sort out the direction of her career, Traci’s life was completely turned upside down with the death of her mother.  

“My mom passed away and several big shifts happened at that time, and I didn’t handle her death very well.” 

Traci bounced around from one job to another looking to fit with a “good” company that she could see a long future with. To make ends meet, Traci took multiple temp jobs over the years.  

“The temp jobs put me at the mercy of the employer. It didn’t end up paying the bills and just fueled a constant sense of anxiety. I didn’t have any money and I felt like I don’t have a lot of support.” 

Traci was accepted into the semiconductor program with Fresh Start in February 2024. At first, she attended semiconductor classes and continued to work full-time at her current temp job. Traci was raised with the understanding that once she made a commitment, she would follow through on that commitment. So even when times got challenging, especially while working and attending class, she called upon her internal core values for further motivation.  

In what turned out to be a blessing in Traci’s eyes, a week into the cohort, her temporary job relieved her of her duties.  

“That was almost like a blessing in disguise. At first, I was upset about it, but then I thought, ‘I should just go with it.” 

With her temporary job on hold, Traci dove into semiconductor training and found she had the time and support to work on her sense of self-worth.  

“Honestly, I’ve been pretty down and feeling like I needed support for some time, but wasn’t sure where to find it,” she recalled. “I felt fully supported at Fresh Start. Whenever I had a question, someone would find an answer for me. I made new connections, I learned new skills and finishing the program has contributed more to my life than I could have ever imagined.” 

Traci’s self-confidence grew as she embraced everything Fresh Start offers including resume building, interviewing tips, career readiness courses, and the sisterhood formed with her fellow cohort members. Traci said her definition of personal success has changed after receiving support from Fresh Start.  

“To many people I may look like a failure in life, but they haven’t walked a mile in my shoes. I’ve worked very hard to get where I am… Success isn’t always making the most money or having the most power, but instead it’s that I can pay my bills and maybe have a little leftover. Success is being able to get rid of some of the burdens that I’ve been carrying and move on in life,” she said.  

With the semiconductor cohort certification completed, Traci felt like she had many opportunities that she didn’t have before, and in a career field that she might not have considered before.  

“I feel better about the types of jobs that I can get. I don’t have to continue working with temporary companies and barely pay my bills. I might be able to find something that pays a little bit more with the education and experience that I’ve had.” 

With a new sense of empowerment, Traci started prioritizing the self-care she was much deserving of, including getting a brand-new hair cut to celebrate her successful completion of the cohort.  

She hopes that other women continue to break the barriers of what society thinks are career fields appropriate for women.  

“We as women can do as much as the man can in many ways. The semiconductor cohort is very doable and attainable, and the concepts may even inspire people to grow in the field, it opens a lot of opportunities.” 

Traci continues to hold on to her long-term dream to work for one company for a long period of time.  

“I have this goal to find one job and stay there for 20 years. That’s what I’ve always wanted: to get in with a company and grow with a company. That has not happened yet, but there is still hope. I want some more stability and to grow with a good company.” 

Traci has attended the Fresh Start career fairs and was interviewed by MD Helicopter. The position offered did not fit her schedule, but she is not closing any doors and remains open and hopeful for the right career opportunity in advanced manufacturing.  In the meantime, Traci was hired as a phlebotomist and is currently working at Sonoran Quest Laboratories.