From uncertainty to a healthcare career
Nicole’s story begins with a feeling many people know well: working hard while still feeling uncertain about the future. She had been employed as a bus aide for Chicago Public Schools, but she wanted a clearer career path, greater stability, and room to grow. The gap between wanting more and knowing how to reach it can feel overwhelming, especially when confidence has been worn down by repeated challenges.
Choosing a new direction
Nicole came to Cara Collective after deciding that continuing with the same approach would not bring the change she wanted. She was drawn to the organization’s commitment to employment and personal development. From the start, she found a setting where staff saw her potential, welcomed her with respect, and helped her identify practical next steps.
That support was not only about finding an immediate job. Nicole describes learning to change her mindset, to take her own abilities seriously, and to believe that she could pursue a different future. Workforce coaching can be especially powerful when it helps a person recognize strengths they may have overlooked. It makes room for a career plan that is both ambitious and achievable.
Turning preparation into opportunity
Nicole’s work with Cara Collective helped her move toward healthcare. She completed the classroom portion of CNA training, began clinical preparation, and accepted a role as a Nurse Rehabilitation Aid at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Being hired was an emotional milestone and a confirmation that the effort she had invested in herself was creating new possibilities.
At the same time, Nicole learned about scholarship opportunities and secured support to begin an associate degree. Her employment and education plans reinforce one another: the job gives her valuable experience in a clinical environment, while further study can open additional options over time. This layered approach is an important part of sustainable career development.
Confidence as a foundation
Nicole’s journey reminds us that employment services are most effective when they combine career tools with genuine encouragement. Her story is not simply about one job offer. It is about gaining the confidence to act on a goal, accessing training and education, and beginning to see a future shaped by choice rather than uncertainty. Sai Kripalu Foundation is proud to highlight Cara Collective’s work alongside people like Nicole as they build meaningful, stable careers.
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