For Pineville native Ally Jones, the journey to a fulfilling career seemed uncertain. Despite holding a psychology degree and a strong desire to work in a hospital setting, she struggled to find promising job opportunities in her local area. That all changed when friends recommended the Bell-Whitley Kentucky Career Center, setting in motion a transformative journey that led to significant professional growth, newfound confidence, and a rewarding career.
Jones decided to explore the resources offered by the center, a decision that proved to be pivotal. “The staff did work with me resume-wise,” Jones recalled. “They looked at what I had done before and if I had had any prior experience. I knew I wanted to work in a hospital, and they helped me with options that would fit me for my future while keeping me still in the area.”
This personalized guidance was crucial. The process of working with knowledgeable professionals who understood the local job market provided more than just practical assistance; it offered a significant emotional boost. “My involvement with the Kentucky Career Center definitely gave me confidence,” Jones stated. “Being able to talk to people who knew the job market and what I was looking at, having them review what I was going through, gave me the confidence to go into the job with a clear head!”
That newfound confidence quickly paid off. Jones secured a position as an administrative assistant at Pineville Community Health Center. Her dedication and hard work have since led to rapid promotions, and she now serves as both a Billing Coordinator and an APRA Coordinator. She attributes her swift advancement to the supportive environment she found, both at the Career Center and within her workplace.
“The thing that has made the biggest impact for me is my coworkers,” she shared. “They have all been great. They gave me such a leg up and the people at the Kentucky Career Center saw the best in me and boosted me up to see the best in me before I could see it myself!”
Her contributions have not gone unnoticed by leadership at Pineville Community Health Center. Tyler Stapp, Chief Operating Officer, praised her exceptional work ethic and eagerness to learn. “Ally has gone above and beyond since her day of hire,” said Stapp. “She was helping both the Chief Nursing Officer and I with several different initiatives, she has never said no or ‘this is not in my job description’ and if she doesn’t know she will learn. She has been a true asset to our team.”
Reflecting on her journey, Jones has also developed a deeper appreciation for her community. “When you’re a kid, you think, oh, this is just the town I grew up in, and then actually getting to meet other people with different experiences, I see it as so much more now than what I originally did,” she explained.
For others who might be facing similar career uncertainties, Jones offers simple, yet powerful advice. “I would definitely say to take the plunge,” she urged. “You never know till you try and the first step is always the biggest one.”
Those interested in taking the next step on their career journey can connect with their local Kentucky Career Center 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. EKCEP is funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, along with various federal and state grants and private donations. Learn more at ekcep.org.