Career Connections internship opens door to opportunity
19 year old Krista Kramer overcomes tough job market to pursue dream of working with children
DAVENPORT - It’s waiting time for Krista Kramer, 19, of Davenport. Krista is waiting to see if she gets an opportunity to interview for child care positions in the area, based on the applications and resumes she has submitted.
Krista, a vibrant and bubbly participant in the Career Connections Program through Goodwill of the Heartland, has successfully completed an internship as a Nursery School Attendant at Friendly Kids Corner Davenport, but because of budget cuts, the pre-school can’t hire additional staff.
There other centers in the area and Krista remains optimistic that the perfect job is out there—somewhere—for her.
As a part of her person-centered-planning activities in Career Connections, Krista, a graduate of Davenport West High School, sorted out jobs she enjoyed and those she didn’t and she zeroed in on a “Dream Job,” working with children in a childcare center. Career Connections enables teens with disabilities to participate in a fifth year of high school, with focus during the fifth year in looking for work and matching with a job that fits.
Through her internship, Krista worked at the day care five hours each day, Monday through Friday. In the loving environment at Friendly Kids Corner, Krista readily gained hugs and smiles from her small charges as they worked together on an activities and projects. Krista professed how attached she had become to the small children, as they vied for the spaces closest to her during activities.
Krista has a learning disability and reading and writing is a challenge for her. However, with the aid of Career Connections staff, Krista developed strategies to overcome the barriers she might face on the job. For example, during reading time with nursery school children, the group can talk about what they see on the book pages to create their own stories or Krista could share her own version of the story as they look at the book together.
Part of the Career Connections experience aids the student in developing a resume, working on applications and practicing interviewing skills. Until the right opportunity comes along, Krista will keep drawing upon those things she learned in Career Connections.
It’s a challenging time out there to find a job for a young worker, but with Career Connections by her side, Krista remains sure she will find a meaningful position in child care.
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About Goodwill of the Heartland
Goodwill of the Heartland provides services to advance the well-being of individuals with barriers to independence. Funded in part by 12 Goodwill Stores in southeastern Iowa and the Quad Cities, Goodwill of the Heartland provides job training, vocational rehabilitation services and work experience. The organization served thousands of clients through a variety of intensive and basic services in 2010. For more information about Goodwill services or for our retail locations, visit goodwillheartland.org or call (319) 337-4158.
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