In April 2024, Tatiana took a pivotal step toward building her future by joining the Out-of-School Youth Program at PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley. Motivated by her goal of achieving financial independence and securing meaningful employment, she dove headfirst into the program, determined to succeed. Her commitment was evident from the start, and by May 2024, she had successfully completed the You’re Hired curriculum. Through this comprehensive training, Tatiana gained essential workforce skills in interviewing, time management, personal finance, entrepreneurship, and more, preparing her for the next stage of her career journey.

During her time in the program, Tatiana expressed a deep passion for working with children to her career advisor. Recognizing her enthusiasm and potential, the career advisor, alongside the work-based training developer, identified a local daycare facility as a fitting worksite for her Paid Work Experience (PWE). In May 2024, Tatiana began working at the daycare, where she quickly impressed everyone with her dedication and natural ability to connect with the children. Originally scheduled to complete her PWE by July, her outstanding performance and glowing feedback from her supervisor led to an extension through August 2024.

Tatiana’s work ethic, dependability, and love for working with children did not go unnoticed. Impressed by her contributions, the daycare partnered with PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley to offer her an On-the-Job Training (OJT) opportunity as a Preschool Assistant. This OJT, which began in mid-August, has allowed Tatiana to further develop her skills while becoming an integral part of the daycare’s team. She is now valued not only for her reliability but also for her genuine passion and care for the children she works with.

As of October 2024, Tatiana is on track to complete her OJT by November. She is proud to have achieved financial independence while pursuing a career she truly loves. Her journey exemplifies the power of perseverance and hard work. The daycare staff are equally grateful to have such a dedicated and trustworthy team member, and Tatiana’s future in early childhood education looks brighter than ever.