A Guest Post from the 2011 Woman of Promise Honoree, Bonnie Phillips

Every woman who has passed through New Directions Career Center has a story.  As this year’s “Woman of Promise” honoree, I have the privilege of telling you mine.

When I was growing up, both in my family and in our culture, not much was expected of women.  And although I did go to college I really didn’t think much of myself.  I certainly didn’t understand that I could have a career, not just a job. In fact, had you asked me to define “career” I would have drawn a blank. When you’re not expected to do anything, you don’t set goals for yourself.

So even after I graduated from college, I continued with my regular job. It paid well but more importantly, I thought that this blue collar job was all that I could be. I didn’t then have a vision of myself as something more. In addition, I did not possess the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively network and maneuver in society.

Soon, though, several life changing events occurred that created so much stress for me, I could no longer work at my former job.

During a period of intense counseling, as I was putting my life back together, my counselor suggested I connect with the New Directions Career Center.

Those 4 weeks transformed my life!

As the Center’s licensed career counselors led us through various career and self-exploration exercises, I learned that I had value.  I had something to offer the world.  I also discovered that instead of just working to make a living, I could have a career.  I could make money doing something I loved!

I can’t tell you what a life-changing concept that was for me.  It was like waking up to my life for the very first time. 

The supportive staff at the Center encouraged (and expected) me to dream, to set goals and to develop a plan for making those dreams a reality. I started to throw off old beliefs, patterns and ways of thinking about myself.  I stepped out in faith to pursue a new path, and learned that every little step counts on your journey. I began to get excited, and I began to believe in ME! 

Another key for me was during the testing I did at the Center, we discovered I have a learning disability.  I told you before I went to college, what I didn’t tell you is that it was an intense struggle, and I barely passed.  I did it, but I did not feel very good about myself in the doing.

Now let’s fast forward to the completion of the New Directions program.  I decided that working in the travel industry was my passion.  I went back to school, enrolling at Columbus State to become a certified travel 

planner.  With the knowledge and tools I had gained at the Center, PLUS the awareness of my learning disability, this time, school was so much easier and I felt great about myself.

I spent a number of years in that industry, even becoming a successful manager. During that time, my husband and I also became legal guardians for 3 young boys who are now grown. 

A few years ago, as my sons were becoming adults and the travel industry was changing drastically, I once again put to use the skills I had learned at New Directions and I re-evaluated my career choice. 

The result was the start of my own internet business two years ago.  The business is called, “Creations For Fun”; we make Personalized Music CDs for kids.

Being an independent business woman would never have been on my radar 20 years ago.  The New Directions Career Center set me on a path that enabled me to see and activate a NEW VISION of myself.  I am honored to serve as an example of just how far a new vision of yourself can take you!

And the Winner Is...

It’s almost here — can you feel the excitement? The 15th annual Women of Promise event is right around the corner (Thursday April 21, 6-8 p.m.), and I for one can’t wait.

This is a time to not only celebrate the achievements of an outstanding New Directions graduate, but also, I think, the NDCC itself, and how it has contributed to helping women change their lives. And as we hear the stories of Woman of Promise award winners (to see some of those stories, click here), it’s hard not to be inspired — to realize that it’s possible to achieve whatever we want in life through determination, hard work, and a caring support system.

Support is what the NDCC is all about. We help women develop tools to not only choose and develop a career path that will lead to self-sufficiency, but also deal with issues that may come up in their personal lives.

For instance, Jacqueline, our 2010 Woman of Promise award winner, enrolled in New Directions as she was in the process of leaving an abusive marriage. In addition to developing a career plan through New Directions, she also learned valuable lessons about setting healthy boundaries. Jacqueline obtained a full-time job as an insurance account assistant, and is now pursuing a law degree to become a family law attorney.

Sally, our 2009 award winner, also overcame multiple obstacles. After losing her husband of 30 years, as well as her job, Sally’s self-confidence had hit rock bottom. As she began a course at New Directions, though, something happened: Her confidence came back. After graduating from New Directions, after completing her computer science degree, she landed a job working for the Computer Help Center at Columbus State Community College. Most important, she’s happy with her life: “I am healthier now than I have ever been,” she says. “I have found joy and I want to share it with everyone.”

These are not isolated stories — when it comes to NDCC clients successfully taking charge of their lives, Woman of Promise award winners represent the tip of the iceberg. And I think it’s a measure of New Directions’ success — and a reason to celebrate NDCC as we recognize the achievements of our Women of Promise — that so many award winners and graduates have not only gone on to develop careers and have a stable income, but also have become donors to NDCC. Several return regularly to do motivational speaking for the women who are currently participants in our New Directions program.

Don’t miss out on this year’s Women of Promise event, where we will once again recognize the achievements of an outstanding NDCC graduate. 10TV news anchor Andrea Cambern will be emceeing the affair, and there will be music, hors d’oeuvres, and live and silent auctions (click here to see auction offerings). Most of all, there will be inspiration. After all, while there may be only one award winner, her example makes us realize we’re all women of promise.