About the Initiative

The Ohio To Work “Interview Days” are great for our job seekers. These Interview Days focus on particular industries where we have many job seekers with specific experience, training and interest. Right now, I’m working with a woman who has finished classes in a particular industry but was facing dead-ends for interviews. Through the Interview Days, she saw the pathway to the interview within her chosen industry and even more, with her employers of choice. It’s a very pinpointed experience for our job seekers. On her own, she likely would not have been able to quickly, and directly, get to a conversation with the recruiters.

Nate Phillips, Career Coach, Urban League of Greater Cleveland

Karen Gusik, Career Coach, Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio

I was working, doing odd jobs and some temp work. So it was work, but not very reliable and without much promise for the future. And, with a criminal record, there were a lot of doors that were just closed to me.

Through the virtual career fair [powered by Ohio To Work], I was linked with Mace Security. I had done some temp work for Mace a few years ago and they recognized my name among the list of job seekers.

I interviewed and got the job. Now I’m a line operator at Mace Security. It’s a full-time position with a good owner and a lot of good people working there. I’m working the third shift which is good for me because I have kids and I’m attending classes to add to my manufacturing skills.

I would recommend the virtual career fair to anyone. You don’t have to worry about getting anywhere, it’s simple and quick.

Will S., Cleveland job seeker now employed full-time

I was already researching boot camps when my career coach told me about their collaboration with Tech Elevator. Tech Elevator’s high review scores were appealing, and the training grant made enrollment feasible.

My career coach was extremely responsive, by both phone and email. He worked with agencies offering financial assistance, informed me of available jobs, provided insight with strength assessment tools, reviewed my resume, and helped with interview preparation. My career coach has been there for me in whatever capacity I needed, throughout this journey. I couldn’t be happier with my experience.

Jan C., Cleveland Tech Elevator Bootcamp graduate

Hayley Whalen, Professional Cabling Solutions, Cincinnati

HR Manager, Mace Security International

Before the pandemic, I was performing well in my career field. Then COVID hit. At first, I was just furloughed but then my job went away. And it wasn’t coming back.

I attended an Ohio To Work information session and learned about the We Can Code It program. I knew another opportunity like this would never come along again. I was able to get scholarships through Ohio To Work and We Can Code It so there were no costs to me except books.

My career coach from Ohio Means Jobs has been wonderful. He feels like a best friend because he’s always rooting for you. He has great suggestions. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have known about We Can Code It.

The training from We Can Code It is different than my college career. In college, I developed skills to be a jack-of-all-trades but with We Can Code It, now I have a profession that nobody can take from me. And I know exactly what type of jobs to look for.

The pandemic and Ohio to Work gave me the opportunity and the means to make the change I only dreamed of previously.

The future looks very bright.

Amiyra A., Cleveland We Can Code It Bootcamp graduate