Billy’s Story…

“A few years ago I found myself in need of an unexpected career change. I wasn’t sure how to proceed and when a friend of mine offered me a job I jumped at the opportunity. Although it was a good job I wasn’t happy and after a few days I said, “thanks, but no thanks”. This really puzzled me as it was something I had done before and something I was good at.

By chance I came upon an ad for Career Bridges and thought why not give it a try as I had no idea of what I wanted to do or what I might be good at. It wasn’t too long into the program that things started to make sense and I could see all the opportunities  that lay before me. Continue reading

Colleen’s Story

“In 2009, I could no longer work at my current job. I heard about Career Bridges though a friend and decided to give it a try. In 2010, I took Career Bridges in Summerside and with the help and support of the staff (Greg & Sandy), I gained back my confidence and proved to myself that I could do other things. Greg and Sandy also supported my plan to go back to school. In 2011, with a business partner, I opened my own bookkeeping business. The possibilities are endless with Career Bridges.”

Cindy’s Story…

“Career Bridges gave me the opportunity to focus towards my future goals and career when I returned to PEI, gave me the ability to learn about networking and to focus on my future and to help me move forward in my life. Since Career Bridges I work as an addiction youth counsellor with Health PEI. Thank you Career Bridges for the opportunity for a new beginning.”

Vanessa’s Story

“When I started at Career Bridges, I had no idea what I wanted to be. I was 23 working as a cashier and had no career plan at all. When I heard about the Career Bridges program I thought it may help me to figure out what path I wanted to take. After exploring a number of options I found out that I was meant to work with children and upon completion of the program I went on to Holland College to complete my Early Childhood Care and Education.  I have been working in the field since and could not imagine a more fulfilling career. Without Career Bridges I would not be where I am today. With their support I don’t just have a job, I have THE career for me!”

Making a difference

“The keys to Career Bridges success is its ability to help people, both individually and in small groups, to come to a better understanding of what their interests are and where their aptitudes are and lie,” says Shelly Watts, business manager of Tremploy Inc., an employment firm that uses the program to help people find new careers.

Watts says she sees three main types of clients: employees in their 40s and 50s who have been laid off from their jobs; people with problems such as poor education or low self-esteem that prevent them from keeping jobs; and people who simply want to change their lives. Continue reading