Charlotte’s Story: Missouri Works Initiative

Charlotte Frederick was no stranger to odd jobs. From babysitting and dog-sitting to jobs at an amusement park and Walmart, she was unsatisfied with the work and the lack of direction.

Upon learning about the Missouri Works Initiative and talking to Mid-Missouri Construction Coordinator Russ Unger, “a great instructor and just a good guy in general,” Charlotte decided to apply and start a trade career. The variety of trades Charlotte and her class got to learn about was a huge benefit of the program. “I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do, but being able to go through all the different work really helped me decide if I liked something or not.”

In addition to introducing the hard skills trades workers need on a job site; MWI helped Charlotte with the soft skills that help students on the job for sustained success. “The program helped me sound more confident when I was applying to my company. Yes, I was good at talking to people, but I was terrible in interviews because I was always scared of answering questions wrong”, said Charlotte, “With the program, we had seen so many people and did a lot of different activities, I realized as long as I’m confident in myself, I’ll be flawless in the interviews.”

That self-confidence helped Charlotte land a great career as a drywall finisher and taper, a job she’s still loving six months in. “When I realized that trades work is what I wanted to do, I had wanted to be a painter because my father was a painter, so was his dad, and his dad’s dad. Not only was it a generational thing, but my father died when I was young, and I was always finding ways of being closer to him. As much as I wanted to be a painter, I’m glad I’m a taper instead. It keeps me close to my father, since they’re the same union, but it still allows me to be my own person.”

The Missouri Works Initiative Program gave Charlotte the skills and the confidence she needed to find a career that invests back in her, not just a job that barely pays the bills. “Before MWI, I honestly thought I was going to end up as some gas station or Walmart employee for the rest of my life, but thanks to the program helping me, I’m now in a career I don’t plan on leaving until retirement.” 

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