Okanogan Quarterly Performance Report July 1, 2017 – March 31, 2018 WDC Committee Meeting WorkSource Okanogan MONDAY, June 4, Noon Sydney walked into WorkSource looking for a job; any job that would help support herself. She had no plans to further her educaon or parcipate in any kind of academic learning. That was the furthest thing from her mind. Sydney had been living on her own with her boyfriend for quite some me and knew that she needed a job. She met with a Job Training counselor who assessed her skills and barriers that would lead to a fulfilling job/career opportunity. When it was discovered that she had dropped out of high school, her counselor encouraged her to aend the Omak Learning Center to study and complete a GED or diploma in addion to exploring training and employment opportunies available in the Youth program. She was eager to learn more. She soon found herself taking the steps that other youth in her posion had done before. Sydney aended the ACE workshop that guided her to outlining a plan. She started studying soon aſter in the learning center focusing on compleng her GED. Through her aendance in the class room, Sydney parcipated in career development where she worked on goal seng, perfecng applicaons, interviewing and resume wring. Sydney’s assessments showed she had interests in working in an office seng. WorkSource needed extra help and she soon found herself working as a clerical aide in the Center. She gained valuable skills in the clerical field, as well as how to greet and inform the public. Not only did Sydney fit right in and learn a lot of skills that she could use in the future, she was encouraged by her training counselor and other staff to take computer classes and parcipate in meet the employer sessions as they became available. She heard and learned first-hand what employers look for and expect in their new employees. Aſter she earned her GED she didn’t stop there. She looked toward the future and with encouragement and scheduled a meeng with a college guidance counselor who walked her through the steps of financial aid. She soon started taking her placement tests to start college. Pursuing college had always been an aspiraon of Sydney’s, but she had started to give up hope. Aſter her newfound successes, she plans to start college in the fall and obtain her AA degree with the long term goal of a BA in Psychology. But wait, there’s more. While Sydney was exploring college opportunies, she was also looking for a job, a permanent job. Sydney applied for a receponist job opening that she saw on the WorkSource job posng website. She applied with Alpine Veterinary Clinic. She was so excited and nervous at the same me. Staff at WorkSource put her through a mock interview as they do with many job seekers. She soon gave us the good news that she was hired full me as their new receponist. We hated to see her leave but knew that she was moving to bigger and beer things. Congratulaons Sydney! All the best to you. Hard Work - Bright Future