Student "Smiling Sam"

The Central Dallas Ministry Work Paths program focuses on pre-employment education and training (primarily in the construction industry) for low-income individuals who may not have the skills to be self-sufficient in an occupation.  It also supports those who, for various reasons, are in a position of transition; sometimes from being homeless or even from serving some prison time. The program offers a 12-week course to low-income workers to get them ready to take the next steps toward a career so they can support their families.  

Since I am in HR, I was asked to conduct a workshop on resume writing and interviewing.  I provided the group of 20 students with information on how to interview and conducted role play sessions with them so they could practice answering questions that a prospective employer might ask.  I also provided tips for resume writing and brought samples of some resumes for them to use as a guide.  My goal was to get them to focus on what they had learned in their 12 week course and what they could do, based on their training.  I hoped to provide them with the confidence they needed to begin the interview process and hopefully secure a job that will put them on the path to self-sufficiency.

Lynn Niewald