At HireLocal, we walk with our students beyond their CNA certifications. That walk continues beyond their first job. We are here when they need us.
This summer, Stacy Ross inquired about pursuing a new role in the medical field. She had graduated from our program the year prior and secured a job at a local hospital. However, a family situation resulted in her availability shifting, forcing her to resign from her position.
After weeks of sending out applications, she hadn’t heard back from anyone. So, she contacted our team.
“I reached out to Latasha at HireLocal to see if they could help,” Ross said. “She got back to me the same day. I had just done an application online for Baptist Memorial Hospital that morning. The next day, Hire got in touch with Baptist, and the day after, I had an interview scheduled for the following Monday.”
Later that week, Stacy landed the role at Baptist in assistant patient care! She is training with them and ramping up to full-time work with a schedule that fits her husband’s job schedule and her children’s school schedule.
“(HireLocal) genuinely cares about you as a person, not just as a worker,” Ross said. “They help you live your best life in and outside work. They help you network and connect you to people who will help you reach your goals. You won’t find anybody with the same attitude that they have. Everybody there is so excited to give you so many resources and see you succeed!”
We’re thrilled to see Stacy thriving in the medical field again and are thankful for her continued trust in our staff and program. Last month, she sat down with us to share her CNA journey. We encourage you to read if you’re wondering how HireLocal can change your life.
—
Q: Where did your passion for caretaking come from?
A: I’ve always had a passion for caring for others. I care for my parents. My dad is in his late 70s, and my mom is in her 60s, so I’m always helping. I also have a brother who recently got a kidney transplant. So, I’m walking through his journey as well. And I have my children that I take care of. I just have a passion and a heart for people.
Q: When did you become interested in pursuing a career in the medical field?
A: I have a friend who’s been a CNA for ten years now, and I brought up my interest. She sent me a link to HireLocal one day and encouraged me to check them out. I saw that they helped with getting your CNA certification and finding a job afterward. So, I looked into it, and I went ahead and applied in February of last year and started their Soft Skills class in March. After I went through the soft skills class, I transitioned into going into CNA class to get my certification.
Q: Did attending a soft skills course before going to CNA training help you?
A: I didn’t realize there was an expectation of prior CNA certification. But, they let me stay and go through the soft skills class and helped me enroll at Career Academy. It was helpful on the front end because it let me know what I would be stepping into career-wise. Hearing other people’s stories who were already certified helped me learn the pros and cons of the field. I learned that as a CNA, you can work in a hospital, be on private duty, travel, and more. It all made me decide that this was something that I wanted to do. They gave me the drive that I needed.
Q: Is there a specific memory that sticks out in your time in the soft skills course?
A: One young lady I worked with during class was a private-duty certified nursing assistant caring for her nephew. And it was cool to learn that you can take care of your family members through your job while still making money to support your family.
Q: After achieving your certification comes job shadowing. What were your biggest takeaways from that experience?
A: The first day I went, I did a couple of hours of shadowing with one of the nurses. She showed me how they answered the patient’s room, checked their vitals, and communicated with their parents. The biggest thing I learned was how important it was to multitask. There’s always something happening, and you have to be ready. After job shadowing, I landed a night shift role at a local hospital.
Q: How was your experience there?
A: I loved it! It was a great experience. I had a lot of great co-workers who treated me like family. I had a great trainer when I first came on, who helped me settle quickly. So, just being able to be around kids all day. And I was blessed to work in the infant toddler unit. They felt like my own kids in a way. Eventually, I could no longer work that schedule, so I needed to find a new position.
Q: What led you to your current position at Baptist?
A: My husband and I were blessed to move to a new home. I applied to some places in our new area and did a couple of interviews but didn’t hear back from anyone. So, I reached out to Latasha at HireLocal to see if they could help. She got back to me the same day. I had just done an application online for Baptist Memorial Hospital that morning. The next day, Hire got in touch with Baptist, and the day after, I had an interview scheduled for the following Monday. My interviewer already knew I was interested and had read my resume. I told her a little bit about my background while we toured, and at the end, she said, “Well, if you’re interested…” I was like, I’m definitely interested! I got an offer that evening. Then he called me and said I’d hear back from him by Thursday or Friday. And, when I say they were moving fast, he called me back Thursday, and I was cleared. I went and took my physical on Monday of this week, and they called me yesterday, and everything came back fine! So, it was just an exciting journey. They were so interested in hiring me that it made me even more excited to start.
Q: What is your role there?
A: It is called assistant patient care. We are still doing certified nursing assistant things, but they just have a different title. This role gets my foot in the door. I’ll still be taking care of patients, taking their vitals, and helping them with their everyday needs, like bathing them, providing toiletries, and things of that nature. Once I get more experience at Baptist, I’ll apply for an official CNA position.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals in this field?
A: It’s funny because my husband and I were talking about this yesterday. I’m currently looking into Southwest to be a physical therapist assistant possibly. I talked to an advisor a while back, but I need to get things financially stable and settled with my kids and their schooling before pursuing that. Once my kids get a little bit older, I will look into this more.
Q: For someone interested in becoming a CNA, would you recommend HireLocal? And if so, why?
A: I definitely recommend HireLocal. You will work with people who genuinely care about you as a person, not just as a worker. They help you live your best life in and outside work. They help you network and connect you to people who will help you reach your goals. You won’t find anybody with the same attitude that they have. Everybody there is so excited to give you so many resources and see you succeed!
Sponsor a Memphis student today so they can earn as they learn this summer
/in UncategorizedHire Local’s Career Launch Academy is an annual summer program for juniors and seniors interested in healthcare. All participants receive $15 an hour for their time and their tuition is free, allowing them to discover career opportunities after high school and potentially graduate with a certification and job earning a living wage with benefits.
Memphis, like many cities across the country, is in need of more healthcare professionals. For many students they have not been exposed to these career paths and are unsure what is next for them after graduation.
Since 2022 Career Launch Academy has grown exponentially, serving over 50 Memphis Shelby County School juniors and seniors. Juniors are placed on a healthcare career exploration path with many planning to attend again as seniors. However, the program goes beyond career exposure. Graduating seniors are enrolled in an 8-week CNA Course with professional skills training, job shadowing, and a guaranteed job interview. Many graduating seniors received offer letters from area hospitals at the end of the program.
Learn more at our website here or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates and participant stories!
Click here to donate
Memphis Medical District Collaborative kicks off annual Career Launch Academy program in partnership with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
/in UncategorizedThe Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC) launched its Career Launch Academy program in collaboration with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and area schools to jumpstart high school students into healthcare careers.
The Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC) launched its Career Launch Academy program in collaboration with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and area schools to jumpstart high school students into healthcare careers.
Hire Local’s Career Launch Academy offers rising seniors a 5-week career exploration program while graduating seniors join a six-week Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification course, soft-skills training, and job shadowing experience. After completion, students who certify will have a guaranteed interview opportunity with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. This is a paid program, all participants receive $15 an hour for their time and their tuition is free.
“It was an amazing experience and I enjoyed every moment of it,” said a Career Launch Academy graduate in 2023. “I got to learn more about the healthcare industry and meet new people who share the same career goals that I do.”
Since 2022, the program has grown exponentially. The pilot program started with eight students, growing to over 40 in 2023. This year the program received hundreds of interested applicants across Memphis. Of these applicants, 74 students were selected – 30 seniors and 44 juniors representing 22 participating schools. With a majority female student group, 66% of participants identify as African-American and 26% as Latino. The program launches June 3rd and all students will complete the program by July 26th.
Participating schools include Carver High, Central High School, Compass Midtown, Cordova High School, Crosstown High School, Douglass High School, East High T-STEM Academy, Freedom Preparatory Academy High School, Germantown High School, Kipp, Memphis Collegiate High School,Kirby High School, Medical District High School, Memphis East High School, Middle College High,Mitchell High School, Oakhaven High School, Overton High, Raleigh-Egypt High, Southwind HighSchool, Trezevant High School, White Station High School, and Whitehaven High School.
“We aim to empower more young people to dream without limits,” said MMDC’s Director of Workforce Strategies, Latasha Harris. “By helping them explore in-demand careers and develop 21st-century skills, we are equipping them to turn their dreams into tangible realities.”
Memphis, like many cities across the country, needs more healthcare professionals. MMDC’s Hire Local program leverages employer, community and training partnerships to help local residents move into careers where there is a living wage, career growth opportunities, and consistent, growing demand.
“Healthcare organizations nationwide are facing workforce shortages. Partnering with MMDC on this initiative is crucial for our organization and community, as it helps solidify our workforce by encouraging youth to explore the many opportunities in healthcare, reducing youth unemployment, and supporting the development of a quality healthcare workforce,” said Dexter McKinney, director of Workforce Development for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. “We’ve seen the positive impact of Hire Local’s training programs and look forward to welcoming our next group of healthcare scholars.”
Career Launch Academy would not be possible without the support of partners like Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, FedEx, AutoZone, The City of Memphis, Truist, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, The Career Academy, and participating K-12 schools, among others.
If you or your organization is interested in supporting the important work of Career Launch Academy, click here. To learn more about the program, please contact Latasha Harris, Director of Workforce Strategies, at [email protected].
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare gives an inside look into its Career Launch Academy
/in Commercial AppealStu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal
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Career Launch Academy helping teens explore the healthcare field
/in UncategorizedMethodist Le Bonheur Healthcare is partnering with Memphis Medical District Collaborative’s Hire Local program.
The program is called Career Launch Academy and it engages high school juniors and seniors to set them up for success as they explore healthcare as a career.
Dexter McKinney, who works in recruitment services with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, joined Action News 5′s Amanda Hanson at the digital desk to talk about why this partnership is important.
Forty students from Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Charter Schools are signed up to be a part of the program and will be paid $15/hour while training.
Closing the Skills Gap Using Employer Partnership
/in Uncategorized“How can we help employers create career on-ramps for talented but underserved communities longing for economic stability?”
—Latasha Harris, director of workforce strategies, Memphis Medical District Collaborative
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the August 2023 national unemployment rate was 3.8%. For Black and Hispanic workers, the unemployment rate was 5.3% and 4.9%, respectively.1 The Community Development department of the St. Louis Fed has been engaged in discussions across the Eighth Federal Reserve District2 to better understand challenges impacting the workforce within our communities and to highlight emerging solutions that respond to the needs of vulnerable workers. One barrier that workforce intermediaries identified in these conversations is the skills gap.
Business Roundtable defines the skills gap as “the difference between the skills that employers are looking for and the training and experience that candidates possess.”3 As employers seek to attract and retain workers, they acknowledge that persistent gaps in education, training and career pipelines hinder the process. Practitioners frequently point to the structural barriers that exist for many workers and communities; despite the existence of training programs or approaches, some have identified a need for deeper and more-engaged partnerships between all facets of the workforce system, including education, workforce development and employers. Recent analysis points to the need for an “employer-led skills development system,” which would pivot employers to a proactive approach to procuring talent, moving away from previous assumptions that skilled workers will be available when needed.4 Creating deeper partnerships with workforce intermediaries, community and technical colleges, and skills programs allows systems to more acutely assess and provide the training needed to move workers into jobs, especially ones that can provide mobility up the career ladder.
Eighth District communities are responding to the skills gap through a variety of learn-and-earn models. Registered and unregistered apprenticeships are one tool that communities have used in an effort to create more opportunity and greater diversity in careers such as manufacturing, the skilled trades and health care. For example, Missouri recently passed the Intern and Apprentice Recruitment Act, which offers companies a tax credit of $1,500 for each paid intern or apprentice, up to $9,000 or six positions.5
This article explores how partners in Memphis, Tenn., have created a model to connect workers to jobs within some of the city’s anchor institutions.
The Challenge within the Memphis Medical District
For Memphis, workforce development and unemployment are core economic concerns. As a part of its work, the Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC) examines the “opportunity gap,” what it considers the difference between the availability of and need for programs and supports to help workers acquire skills and on-ramps into careers. Closing this opportunity gap is why this collaborative of medical and education anchor institutions in Memphis’ Medical District created the Hire Local program. Hire Local implements training programs that identify, train and fast-track residents into jobs with career pathways and a livable wage.6 Latasha Harris, director of workforce strategies for MMDC, launched this program in 2020 as a career pipeline for residents within the institutions’ geographic footprint. MMDC learned that only 2% of Medical District employees live in the district, while the households there deal with concentrated poverty and can be seen as disconnected from economic opportunity. MMDC launched the Hire Local program to respond directly to this problem.
Connecting Residents and Employers through Hire Local
The Hire Local program begins with MMDC’s employer partners, which are anchor institution members of the collaborative. Harris notes that the first steps in the process are to understand the needs of the employers, to secure a commitment from them to be partners in the process, and to have interview opportunities available for candidates.
“There must be a strong alignment between training and job opportunities” says Harris. “Too often students graduate from programs and struggle to find employment in their career field of interest. Our employer partners push into our classrooms, help design the course content, and interview successful graduates for jobs with living wages and benefits to continue their career growth journey.”
Residents can sign up on the Hire Local website and create a profile for a program of interest. The program uses a predictive assessment to align potential candidates and available job opportunities, says Harris. Employers within the Medical District have their top talent take the assessment to identify critical skills needed for the roles. Once accepted into the pipeline, participants are supported in pursuing the appropriate credentialing programs and guided toward the available roles. Harris notes that the MMDC aims to have residents participate in short-term credential programs that last no longer than two years. At the end of their program, participants are then able to interview for the job opportunity.
Hire Local provides support to participants for two years after placement. For those who aren’t quite job-ready, the program continues offering access to services. Harris observed that there are many nonacademic barriers for program participants.
“Last year, a number of residents were dealing with housing instability; additionally, 45% of students were unemployed,” says Harris. “So we offer stipends and are hoping to offer a living stipend in 2024. That will give them additional financial support while in training and during the hiring process.” The program continues to seek ways to support participants around these barriers, she added.
Outcomes Designed to Enhance Partnerships and Create a Strong Workforce
Since its launch, 180 Medical District residents have participated in the Hire Local program, with a 65% graduation rate and a 60% job placement rate, says Harris. She shared the story of one participant who wanted to enter the health care field. Through Hire Local, the participant was placed in a job-shadow arrangement with an employer that provides tuition reimbursement, which allowed her to begin a college degree and have access to employer-paid health benefits. The program’s success has allowed it to grow, says Harris; it now includes the Career Launch Academy, which is a similar work-based learning program for high school students.
Hire Local acts as a connector between employers and the residents, not to replicate existing programs, but rather to enhance partnerships to create a strong workforce in the city, says Harris. She shared the following for communities looking to replicate the Hire Local model:
“Once you find an evidenced-based or research-informed model with promising practices, be encouraged to adapt it to fit your city and the neighborhoods you serve,” she says. “There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Our approach to the work is based on what we know families need here. We can’t stop at job placement. Our families continue to need support from Hire Local as they navigate the early employment milestones. If you know the major hurdles job seekers face in your area, be sure to build support and partnerships to address those barriers.”
Harris also pointed out that it is important to understand the target geography and populations the program aims to serve. For its programs, Hire Local focuses on residents who live within the eight ZIP codes of the Medical District. Additionally, communities should think about different funding models—such as income share agreements, public/private investment and philanthropy—to bring these types of programs to scale, she noted.
The skills gap is one of many interconnected issues affecting the labor force. MMDC’s Hire Local program and its work in Memphis offers insight into how Eighth District communities are seeking best practices and solutions to support workers.
Notes
‘They help you live your best life:’ Stacy Ross on how HireLocal equipped her for success
/in Student StoriesAt HireLocal, we walk with our students beyond their CNA certifications. That walk continues beyond their first job. We are here when they need us.
This summer, Stacy Ross inquired about pursuing a new role in the medical field. She had graduated from our program the year prior and secured a job at a local hospital. However, a family situation resulted in her availability shifting, forcing her to resign from her position.
After weeks of sending out applications, she hadn’t heard back from anyone. So, she contacted our team.
“I reached out to Latasha at HireLocal to see if they could help,” Ross said. “She got back to me the same day. I had just done an application online for Baptist Memorial Hospital that morning. The next day, Hire got in touch with Baptist, and the day after, I had an interview scheduled for the following Monday.”
Later that week, Stacy landed the role at Baptist in assistant patient care! She is training with them and ramping up to full-time work with a schedule that fits her husband’s job schedule and her children’s school schedule.
“(HireLocal) genuinely cares about you as a person, not just as a worker,” Ross said. “They help you live your best life in and outside work. They help you network and connect you to people who will help you reach your goals. You won’t find anybody with the same attitude that they have. Everybody there is so excited to give you so many resources and see you succeed!”
We’re thrilled to see Stacy thriving in the medical field again and are thankful for her continued trust in our staff and program. Last month, she sat down with us to share her CNA journey. We encourage you to read if you’re wondering how HireLocal can change your life.
—
Q: Where did your passion for caretaking come from?
A: I’ve always had a passion for caring for others. I care for my parents. My dad is in his late 70s, and my mom is in her 60s, so I’m always helping. I also have a brother who recently got a kidney transplant. So, I’m walking through his journey as well. And I have my children that I take care of. I just have a passion and a heart for people.
Q: When did you become interested in pursuing a career in the medical field?
A: I have a friend who’s been a CNA for ten years now, and I brought up my interest. She sent me a link to HireLocal one day and encouraged me to check them out. I saw that they helped with getting your CNA certification and finding a job afterward. So, I looked into it, and I went ahead and applied in February of last year and started their Soft Skills class in March. After I went through the soft skills class, I transitioned into going into CNA class to get my certification.
Q: Did attending a soft skills course before going to CNA training help you?
A: I didn’t realize there was an expectation of prior CNA certification. But, they let me stay and go through the soft skills class and helped me enroll at Career Academy. It was helpful on the front end because it let me know what I would be stepping into career-wise. Hearing other people’s stories who were already certified helped me learn the pros and cons of the field. I learned that as a CNA, you can work in a hospital, be on private duty, travel, and more. It all made me decide that this was something that I wanted to do. They gave me the drive that I needed.
Q: Is there a specific memory that sticks out in your time in the soft skills course?
A: One young lady I worked with during class was a private-duty certified nursing assistant caring for her nephew. And it was cool to learn that you can take care of your family members through your job while still making money to support your family.
Q: After achieving your certification comes job shadowing. What were your biggest takeaways from that experience?
A: The first day I went, I did a couple of hours of shadowing with one of the nurses. She showed me how they answered the patient’s room, checked their vitals, and communicated with their parents. The biggest thing I learned was how important it was to multitask. There’s always something happening, and you have to be ready. After job shadowing, I landed a night shift role at a local hospital.
Q: How was your experience there?
A: I loved it! It was a great experience. I had a lot of great co-workers who treated me like family. I had a great trainer when I first came on, who helped me settle quickly. So, just being able to be around kids all day. And I was blessed to work in the infant toddler unit. They felt like my own kids in a way. Eventually, I could no longer work that schedule, so I needed to find a new position.
Q: What led you to your current position at Baptist?
A: My husband and I were blessed to move to a new home. I applied to some places in our new area and did a couple of interviews but didn’t hear back from anyone. So, I reached out to Latasha at HireLocal to see if they could help. She got back to me the same day. I had just done an application online for Baptist Memorial Hospital that morning. The next day, Hire got in touch with Baptist, and the day after, I had an interview scheduled for the following Monday. My interviewer already knew I was interested and had read my resume. I told her a little bit about my background while we toured, and at the end, she said, “Well, if you’re interested…” I was like, I’m definitely interested! I got an offer that evening. Then he called me and said I’d hear back from him by Thursday or Friday. And, when I say they were moving fast, he called me back Thursday, and I was cleared. I went and took my physical on Monday of this week, and they called me yesterday, and everything came back fine! So, it was just an exciting journey. They were so interested in hiring me that it made me even more excited to start.
Q: What is your role there?
A: It is called assistant patient care. We are still doing certified nursing assistant things, but they just have a different title. This role gets my foot in the door. I’ll still be taking care of patients, taking their vitals, and helping them with their everyday needs, like bathing them, providing toiletries, and things of that nature. Once I get more experience at Baptist, I’ll apply for an official CNA position.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals in this field?
A: It’s funny because my husband and I were talking about this yesterday. I’m currently looking into Southwest to be a physical therapist assistant possibly. I talked to an advisor a while back, but I need to get things financially stable and settled with my kids and their schooling before pursuing that. Once my kids get a little bit older, I will look into this more.
Q: For someone interested in becoming a CNA, would you recommend HireLocal? And if so, why?
A: I definitely recommend HireLocal. You will work with people who genuinely care about you as a person, not just as a worker. They help you live your best life in and outside work. They help you network and connect you to people who will help you reach your goals. You won’t find anybody with the same attitude that they have. Everybody there is so excited to give you so many resources and see you succeed!
‘HireLocal always makes me feel comfortable:’ Lucillar King on achieving her CNA dreams
/in Student Stories“HireLocal was the best thing that could’ve happened to me.”
After assisting her grandparents for multiple years after each suffered a stroke, Lucillar King knew where she wanted her career to be in healthcare. Specifically, she wanted to become a registered nurse and assist aging adults full-time.
She pursued certifications off and on for five years while working various roles in the field but felt stuck, making little progress, burdened by lengthy time commitments, and walled by high costs. Then, her sister recommended Career Academy.
“I was immediately drawn to the fact it was a fast program,” King said. “In just four weeks, I could get CNA certified and begin a job search process.”
Lucillar flew through her coursework, learning the most from the hands-on exercises. While in class, she was connected with HireLocal to pursue soft-skills training and job shadowing opportunities.
“They helped me maintain my energy and attitude, taught me how to better communicate with others, and just how to be a professional,” King said. “HireLocal was the best thing that could’ve happened to me. Without their job shadowing, I wouldn’t have gotten my current job.”
Lucillar attended a job shadowing session at Baptist Memorial Hospital’s Walnut Grove campus in May. She met the staff there, ran through mock exercises, and landed an interview.
Eager to land a role, she leaned on HireLocal’s interview training. She was high-energy and asked an assortment of follow-up questions. By the end, Baptist had not one but three possible roles for her.
“The role I was hired in is a CNA position in the Emergency department,” King said. “But the interview went so well that they told me if that position didn’t work out, they had two other options, one in ICU. I felt so wanted by Baptist, which gave me confidence that it was where I was supposed to be.”
Last month, Lucillar started her role at Baptist and is loving it. But she’s far from satisfied. Before her first shift, she connected with HireLocal to lay a plan for her next few years with the goal of becoming a Registered Nurse.
She enrolled in the Tennessee College of Applied Technology’s (TCAT) nursing program. By the end of fall 2024, she will have her nursing degree. After years of making little headway, Lucillar now feels ahead of the curve.
“I’ve been wanting to get things done for a long time, and Hire(Local) laid out each step I needed to take,” King said. “It felt as easy as one, two, three.”
Lucillar is still in regular contact with our team, updating us on her successes and prepping for her upcoming coursework. Balancing school, work, and family life is no small task, but we’re here for her to lean on.
“Hire(Local) always makes me feel comfortable,” King said. “And that’s what I’d tell anyone interested in pursuing CNA certification. Rather than some expensive four-year program, I got certified in less than a year.”
If you’re looking to get out of your job rut or avoid getting into one in the first place, enroll in one of our upcoming CNA training courses and let us guide you to your dream healthcare role! Click the link to learn more.
Cultivating example setters: Brenda Woodruff on founding and leading Career Academy
/in Partner Highlights“About 20 years ago, I had my ‘moment of insanity.’ But it was a good moment of insanity.”
Typically, something described as insanity is anything but good. Humorous? Maybe. But the prevailing connotation is nearly always negative. Not for Brenda Woodruff.
Her “moment of insanity” has improved thousands of lives.
Brenda grew up with two nurses in her family. In her earliest memories, she recalls being fascinated with their jobs and wanting to follow in their footsteps. That passion has never wavered.
“I became a registered nurse in 1977,” Woodruff said. “I just loved the idea of being able to help people every day with my job, and I saw that demonstrated by some of my family.”
From 1977 to 2004, Brenda served in various roles in the medical field. She went from RN to med surgeon to long-term care, dialysis, home health, and finally to nursing management and administration. A desire for excellence fueled her constant upskilling.
“If you’re gonna do something, do it well,” Woodruff said. “I can’t do anything halfheartedly.”
Brenda Woodruff, Founder and Director of Career Academy
With decades of experience and an intimate understanding of the nursing field, Brenda was struck by an idea that just wouldn’t leave her alone. She wanted to train the next generation.
But rather than focus solely on job placement, her mission with what has become Career Academy is to create a medical workforce of example-setters and leaders here in Memphis.
“You can teach most people to do tasks,” Woodruff said. “But you can also teach robots to do many of those same jobs. The difference comes with teaching professionalism and the importance of empathy.”
Career Academy was officially founded and authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission in 2004 after months of meticulous course prep. Priced at an affordable rate that covers books, CPR certification, tests, and registration fees, Brenda’s mission was not to cash in her experience for her benefit but to provide a viable career path that anyone in Memphis could travel down.
“Career Academy is different because we have a personal touch,” Woodruff said. “It’s not about meeting a student quota and packing classrooms. We’re here to help people. We will always work with students and accommodate their needs in order to serve them.”
Since 2008, Career Academy has been the gold standard for affordable and quality CNA training in Memphis. In 2017, Brenda was contacted by our HireLocal team about a loose partnership. We directed our students to her program and helped with employee referrals.
Now, we’re official partners! Career Academy teaches our soft skills program as part of its curriculum and refers students seeking job placement to our team.
“I’ve gotten great feedback from my students about HireLocal and their soft skills program,” Woodruff said. “They’re always well prepared, and their lesson plans are a welcome addition to Career Academy.”
After nearly 20 years since starting Career Academy and 45 years since becoming a nurse, Brenda is still energized and ready to continue leading.
When asked what keeps her going, she said without hesitation that it is her students. Seeing them thrive is the only validation she needs.
“I was reading the paper one day, and I saw that one of my former students had started a mobile clinic for blood pressure checks and things like that,” Woodruff said. “I couldn’t have been more proud.”
Brenda said she bumps into her students regularly when visiting a hospital or clinic, and they’re always happy to see each other.
“Seeing things come full circle is always humbling,” Woodruff said. “Recently, a former student of mine applied for a position here at Career Academy, and after working for a few years as a nurse, they now work for me!”
To any student considering Career Academy, Brenda believes the most critical mindset is pursuing excellence, the same motto she lives by.
“If you want to serve others, serve them like you’d want to be served,” Woodruff said. “No one can achieve perfection. But if you strive for it, you’ll hit excellence at a minimum, and the term mediocre will be foreign to you.”
Although Brenda describes its founding as a moment of insanity, Career Academy’s impact is crystal clear. As our partnership continues, we will always anticipate seeing more students’ lives change through this program!
Interested in enrolling at Career Academy? Click here!
‘I got here by not giving up:’ Ameisha Cates on dreams and perseverance
/in Student StoriesAfter two failed attempts to pass her CNA exam, Ameisha felt like her opportunity had passed. Maybe her lifelong goal since childhood was simply unattainable for her.
But there is no expiration date on your dreams.
Originally from Gary, Indiana, Ameisha Cates, 38, fell in love with nursing through her grandmother. As the caretaker of her grandfather, Ameisha’s grandmother recruited Ameisha to help. From that moment onward, she knew her long-term career goals.
Three years ago, Ameisha started working towards her CNA license while living in Texas with her two daughters, the oldest of whom is 16. Traveling to and from class proved too tricky, so the Cates crew moved to Memphis to live with her sister so Ameisha could continue her CNA training.
“When I got to Memphis, I went straight to Hire Local and Career Academy,” Cates said. “The classes were a blast, and I felt like I was learning a ton. I was intrigued by what they offered, so I followed the thread.”
After completing her 7-week CNA course, Ameisha began her soft skills and certification exam training. With years of work behind her, she could see her dreams materializing. But after her first two exam attempts went unsuccessfully, she felt that maybe it all wasn’t for her.
But she gave it one more go at the encouragement of our team.
“Latasha and Arika walked and continue to walk with me step by step,” Cates said. “If it wasn’t for them being my backbone, I don’t know where I’d be.”
On her third attempt, Ameisha passed her exam.
“I was overjoyed,” Cates said. “I could feel this weight lift off my shoulders for the first time. I could breathe. Latasha was the first person I called!”
But Ameisha hasn’t let off the gas pedal yet. She’s now immersed in the job search process and recently had her first interview and offer from Methodist Le Bonheur!
Once a job is secured, Ameisha wants to return to school and become a registered travel nurse. Having lived in multiple cities and states, she feels that there is a great need for service across the country. Traveling is also something her girls are excited about.
For her last birthday, Ameisha had their names tattooed on her wrists. She called them her permanent bracelets, reminding her of why she pushes herself and the legacy she wants to leave.
“I don’t want them to settle in life,” Cates said. “I’m 38 years old, and it took me a long time to get here. But I got here by not giving up.”
“I want to teach them to go at their dreams full force but to leave their pride at the door,” Cates continued. “I held myself up by not reaching out to others to help me. So to people who are passionate about this field, don’t wait. Come on! People like those at Hire Local are here to help you chase those dreams.”
To say we’re proud of Ameisha’s journey is an understatement. Her story is one people need to hear. Life is not linear. Rarely do things work out the first time. You only succeed through learning to bounce back stronger than you were before.
Everyone’s path is a bit different. And even if you’re in the same field, you’re in another car. We aim to ride in that car with you and help prepare you for tricky corners, sharp turns, and unforeseen obstacles.
If you’re interested in our program, don’t wait. Reach out to us today!
‘Nothing can stop you:’ Katrina Banks on how Career Academy changed her trajectory
/in Student Stories“I just took a chance and went with it.”
After spending time with various jobs, such as warehouse work and daycare services, local Memphis resident Katrina Banks was forced to step back.
With her grandmother needing more assistance aging in place, Katrina took on many caretaker responsibilities. Without questioning herself, she immersed herself in learning the best techniques to provide intentional, detailed, and loving care. After a friend introduced her to HireLocal, Katrina saw a pathway to turn her senior care skills into a career and provide even better care for her grandmother.
“I was happy to handle most of my grandmother’s care, but I wasn’t thinking of a career shift,” Banks said. “After my friend introduced me to HireLocal, I saw a path to provide sole care of my grandmother and also for a career. I needed that extra push.”
Our Career Launch Academy was a vital resource for Katrina. She had not been working for six months prior due to solely caring for her grandmother. Our program helped bridge gaps in her training and better prepare her for job interviews.
“I had not worked for about six months before I started with HireLocal,” Banks said. “It helped ease me back into the job mode and gave me some pickups and little tips to take along with me. And that helped me in the interview process.”
After completing our Soft Skills portion of the eight-week program, Katrina moved to clinical skills training. Soon after graduation, Katrina passed her CNA exam and began the interview process.
Earlier this year, she landed a role on the surgery floor working with cardiac patients at Methodist Hospital as well as a position at a nursing home.
“It’s hustle and bustle,” Banks said. “But I get to work primarily with seniors, which is my focus.”
Her heart remains in senior care, and she sees these roles as stepping stones to furthering herself in that field.
“I’m currently looking into nursing school, as Methodist offers great tuition reimbursement plans,” Banks said. “After that, I eventually want to start my own practice focusing on senior care.”
We’re deeply proud of Katrina’s hard work and success since completing our program. But her extraordinary journey is far from over.
To others thinking of pursuing a career in the medical field, she encourages people to be bold and shove doubt to the side.
“Just go for it,” Banks said. “I’ve talked myself out of a lot of situations and a lot of opportunities in the past. Just go straight ahead. Nothing can stop if you just believe in it.”
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