Before CareerCatchers, I remember feeling stuck.
I had finally landed a tech role that I truly enjoyed. For the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful. I thought, This could be it. This could turn into something permanent.
But it didn’t.
Because I didn’t have certain qualifications, the position never converted. And when it ended, it hit me hard. Before that, I had been working at a hotel, and I was miserable there. So losing the tech role felt like proof that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t quite get where I wanted to go.
I wasn’t just discouraged — I was exhausted.
Around that time, I was referred to CareerCatchers through a partner program. If I’m being honest, I didn’t fully know what to expect. I thought maybe I’d get some help with my resume or a few job leads.
What I didn’t expect was how personal it would feel.
From the beginning, I realized CareerCatchers wasn’t just about finding a job. They wanted to know me. My coach, Maria, didn’t treat me like a number or a case. She listened. Really listened.
I started attending the workshops, and something shifted. They weren’t just informational — they were interactive. I met other people who were also in transition, also trying to figure things out. For so long, I had felt like I was the only one stuck, like everyone else had their careers mapped out except me.
Seeing other people pushing forward in their journeys — even when it was hard — reminded me that I wasn’t alone.
One moment I’ll never forget was the day Maria hand-delivered a laptop to me.
That might sound simple, but it wasn’t.
Two years earlier, I had worked in a toxic environment where my employer had given me a laptop — but it came with strings attached. If there was ever tension or disagreement, he would hold things over people’s heads. I had seen it happen. When I left that job, I gave the laptop back and walked away with nothing.
So when Maria showed up with a laptop — no pressure, no expectations, no conditions — it felt different. It felt safe. It felt like someone genuinely wanted to see me succeed.
She made sure I had everything I needed: Word, PowerPoint, all the tools required for job searching. I’m pretty tech savvy, but what I needed wasn’t technical training — it was support. She helped me revise
my resume over and over again. She worked with me on cover letters. And she was patient. Even when I was frustrated. Even when I doubted myself.
There were days in the beginning when I would cry. I would say, “I hate this place. I’m only making minimum wage. This isn’t worth it.”
And instead of telling me what to do, Maria would say, “Pause. Let’s think this through.”
That pause changed me.
Through coaching, I learned more than how to apply for jobs. I learned workplace people skills. I learned how to regulate my emotions before making sudden decisions. I learned resilience. I learned how to respond instead of react.
I learned grace.
Today, I’m working as a contractor and earning significantly more than when I first started this journey. It’s not the final destination, but it’s a strong stepping stone. I’m finishing my business degree, and I’m building toward something bigger. Maria still checks in. She still sends opportunities my way. I don’t feel like I’m navigating this alone anymore.
When people ask me what CareerCatchers is like, I tell them this:
It’s not just job placement. It’s partnership.
And if someone is thinking about reaching out, I always say the same thing — just take the first step. That’s the hardest part. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start.
Because sometimes the difference between feeling stuck and moving forward… is having someone who believes in you while you’re still learning to believe in yourself.