Chelsea Griffey, a 17-year-old with ambition and a drive to succeed, faced a common hurdle for many young people: breaking into the workforce with no prior experience. Her journey, however, took a rapid and positive turn when she connected with the Harlan Kentucky Career Center.
Like many teenagers, Chelsea encountered significant challenges in her job search. Being under 18 and lacking a work history presented obstacles that seemed daunting.
“I wanted to get a job but didn’t know where to start,” Griffey shares. “Being under 18 and having no work experience made it even harder to find opportunities. The career center really helped me with that.”
Griffey enrolled in the Out-of-School Youth program on June 28, 2024, and within just two weeks, she was already making strides in her career path. Her Career Advisor, Beth Edwards, helped provide her with vital tools, including job search assistance, career assessments, interview coaching, and even support with obtaining work attire. These services helped Griffey gain the skills she needed to confidently step into the workforce.
One of the most significant milestones in Griffey’s journey came when she landed a work experience training opportunity at The Shirt Shack.
“I was nervous at first, but once I got started, I knew I could do it,” Griffey recalls.
At The Shirt Shack, she had the chance to demonstrate her strong work ethic and eagerness to learn, quickly making an impression on her employer. Griffey was offered a full-time position at The Shirt Shack as an Embroidery Designer and Office Assistant, earning $12 per hour.
Griffey would recommend the Kentucky Career Center to others “It’s all about taking that first step,” Griffey says. “Once you trust the process, you can accomplish more than you think. I’m so grateful for the support I received and how much I’ve grown through this experience.”
Her story highlights how going to your Kentucky Career Center can be instrumental in providing youth with the tools, opportunities, and confidence to secure meaningful employment and build successful careers.
As she continues her journey, Griffey remains hopeful and motivated, knowing that with the right support, anything is possible.
If you live in Eastern Kentucky and you’re looking for a new job, contact your local Kentucky Career Center. Locations within EKCEP’s service area can be found online at https://ekcep.org/find-a-career/.
EKCEP, a nonprofit workforce development agency headquartered in Hazard, Ky., serves the citizens of 23 Appalachian coalfield counties. The agency provides an array of workforce development services and operates a network of Kentucky Career Centers, which provide access to more than a dozen state and federal programs that offer employment and training assistance for jobseekers and employers all under one roof. Learn more about us at ekcep.org.