How Goodwill Youth Services Helped Mara Find Her First Job - and Dream a Little Bigger
At Goodwill of the Heartland, Youth Services isn't just about resumes and interviews. It's about helping young people figure out who they are, what they're good at, and where they might be headed next.
For Mara Bundy, that journey started out earlier than most.
Mara was just 15 years old when she was referred to Goodwill. She was bright, motivated, and academically gifted - so gifted, in fact, that she finished high school at a remarkably young age. It was a huge accomplishment ... and also a challenge.
Because while Mara was ready to work, most employers weren't ready to hire someone under 16.
Young and Ready
That's where Goodwill of the Heartland Career Navigator Karey Hagerman came in.
Mara and Karey met weekly - sometimes in a small office, sometimes tucked into a quiet corner of the school library. Their time together was short, squeezed between school schedules, weather cancellations, and an approaching graduation date. But Mara showed up, ready to work.
With support from Goodwill and Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Mara practiced interview questions, built confidence, and strengthened soft skills.
"They helped me develop my social skills and interpersonal skills," Mara said. "And overall, they just prepared me to have a job."
The hardest part wasn't her abilities. It was her age.
"You are so well-qualified," Karey would tell her. "You're a great student. How are they not hiring you?"
Mara already knew the answer. "It was always just my age."
Persistence Pays Off
Even when nerves kicked in - "I tend to be kind of anxious and overthink," she admitted - Mara kept going. She practiced. She prepared. And she learned one of the most valuable skills of all: persistence.
Karey was there every step o the way, offering steady encouragement and reminders like, "You got this."
Eventually, it paid off.
Mara landed her first job as a pool cashier with the City of Marion - a role that was friendly, flexible, and supportive. It gave her real-world experience with time management and customer interaction, all while leaving room for something else she loves.
A Job - and a Growing Dream
That something is crocheting.
"I started crocheting as a hobby in seventh grade," Mara said. "Now that I've just graduated, it's also graduated to more of a passion."
Today, Mara creates detailed crochet pieces in everything from bright, playful colors to rich earth tones. And she's thinking bigger - dreaming about starting her own crochet business, selling at markets, and even taking custom orders.
She's also discovering that Goodwill can help with that, too.
"I would love to get better at making a noticeable social media presence," she said. "I want to make something so that people know me and my work."
Looking Ahead
Mara is quick to express gratitude for the support she's received.
"I'm really grateful for all the opportunities Goodwill provides," she said, "to help me not only find my first job, but also develop my passion."
Her story is a reminder of what's possible when young people are given encouragement, tools, and someone who believes in them - especially at the very beginning of their journey.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little support ... and a reminder that, yes, you really do got this.