Second Chance Employment Provides Path to Success
Selene shared her journey with us to let other individuals with a conviction history or in recovery know that support services and employment assistance are available, but you need to want to change and work hard to achieve your goals.
In her previous career, Selene was an office manager but she struggled with substance abuse for years and got into legal troubles. When Selene was arrested the last time, the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative (DOSA) program was offered to her by the Department of Corrections. After she finished the treatment program, she needed to find work and decided to find help in the community. A church group recommended Pioneer’s Roadmap to Success job-readiness training program to Selene and she found that the program provided much more than just job-readiness training.
“I was on probation for two years and they really push you to find employment. However, I was at a loss of where to start since I needed to be able to explain the seven-year gap in my resume. When I was referred to the Roadmap class I found the resources and help that I needed,” said Selene. “Not only did I receive instruction on how to write my cover letter and resume, but I was also instructed in communication skills on how to talk about my employment gap and past through mock interviews. The Roadmap staff always supported me and provided me with resources such as clothes for work and they even paid for me to get my driver’s license,” she added.
In the Roadmap class, Pioneer often has employees that were formerly incarcerated speak to the students to share their journey and explain how Pioneer provides not just a job, but also, a career path to people willing to work hard. “I was so interested to hear the stories from the Pioneer employees that presented in class. It made me realize that I could also work towards building a career,” Selene shared.
Selene was hired to work in the part marking section of Pioneer Industries (PI), an aerospace parts manufacturing division of Pioneer Human Services. She was also trained in assembling aerospace parts at PI before being promoted to train as a buyer. However, her start at PI was rocky. She was in a bad relationship when she started working at PI and ended up being arrested. Her daughter called in her absence but the voicemail was never received and her employment was terminated.
When Selene was released from jail, she pleaded her case to PI and was told that if she was serious this time, she should go to the AJAC manufacturing academy program and then re-apply at PI. Selene did that and got a job at night at Mod Pizza in the interim. When she graduated from AJAC, she was hired again in part marking at PI and then proceeded to transfer between Plant 2 and Plant 1 in part marking and assembly. Selene made herself available and worked wherever she was needed.
“I love that wherever you train or work at PI you are aware of their mission. They believe in providing second chances and makes sure that everyone knows it,” Selene stated. “However, Pioneer is not a handout; it is a hand-up. You need to want your success and really work for it. You can’t give excuses as it is your responsibility to stay on a positive path and be accountable for your actions,” she commented.
PI’s senior buyer noted Selene’s work ethic and hands-on approach to helping anywhere it was needed. Selene’s eagerness to learn and share her knowledge with others on the plant floor was also observed. It was an easy decision to promote Selene and train her to be a buyer. She is now active in her new role, embracing Pioneer’s mission and a shining example of why we should all provide second chances.
Selene concluded, “I now find myself working with individuals who have just been released after spending one to three decades in prison. I listen to their stories and try to help them become more comfortable using email, computers and cell phones. It is not easy to re-enter society after being locked away all those years! I try to go slow with new employees and help them succeed. I probably learn as much from them as they are learning from me – it is always a double reward.”