By Emily Peck, Work First Fellow, 5th Avenue Manhattan
With less than three months left of the 2020-2021 Work First Fellowship, we’re checking in with some of the fellows across the nation to learn about our experiences so far and what we’ve been working on at each of our sites. Between conducting our research projects, leading job readiness webinars, and providing casework support, Fellows have been hard at work and learning a lot about themselves and the field of workforce development. For our research projects, Fellows are eager to begin their data collection as we finalize our surveys. The cohort also welcomed Research Advisor Jeremy Ceballo of Columbia University to the organization in February. Jeremy will be working closely with the Fellows on our research for the duration of the Fellowship. Below, Fellows reflect on how this experience has been for us so far and the value that we have pulled from it.
What projects/contracts have you been working on?
I do case management of W2 - I have 80 clients on my caseload and my day consists of appointments and providing services for clients. - Alex Guterbock, Milwaukee Fellow
I am on the education team in Brooklyn. I work on the Pre-HSE webinars (preparation for TASC and GED exams) and on the NeON program, which is a program for justice-involved youth and other members of the community. - Jonathan Perez-Reyzin, Brooklyn Fellow
I am on the education team at the 5th Avenue office in Manhattan. The webinars I develop primarily center around themes of work/life balance, wellness, and balancing caregiving and career development. - Emily Peck, 5th Avenue Manhattan Fellow
I've been developing curriculum that focuses mainly on educational paths since my research is on successful completion of postsecondary education, as well as curriculum on tech and enterprising skills. I have also been hard at work on grant writing and recruitment efforts. - Sofia Crouch, 45th Street Manhattan Fellow
I am working on our TANF, SNAP, Reentry, Pretrial and Youth programs. I help recruit people, enroll them, make a resume with them, and assist them in completing job applications or anything else they may need. - Taylin Bower, Baltimore Fellow
I’ve been working on Pre-HSE Math and Ticket to Work-exclusive classes, and recently designed a webinar titled, “Getting in the Feels with Time Management.” - Simon Caskey, Brooklyn Fellow
Besides daily case management of various veterans, I'm in charge of the quarterly reports we submit to the Department of Labor about our veterans. - Yegene Lee, Los Angeles Fellow
I've been leading a "Working Your Strengths" class for the NeON program twice a month, focused on using VIA character strengths in the job search, for long-term planning and decision-making, for stress management, and to build employability. I also led a three-part Career Empowerment series, with sessions on self-advocacy and professional communication, active listening, and preferred management styles. - Rachel Tropp, 45th Street Manhattan Fellow
I work with the DC/MD training department, Baltimore Youth Program team, and I’m also involved with a bunch of other projects like recruitment/outreach, I work with our disability services and TANF participants to complete intakes and resumes, and event planning/coordinating like for our upcoming Wellness Week, Town Hall meetings, etc. - Dara Ogunsakin, D.C. Fellow
I work with the DC Department on Disability Services contract. - Sabrina Gandy, D.C. Fellow
I have been assisting with the Ticket to Work program. We assist with job search, benefits counseling, and connecting clients with community resources. I have had the opportunity to focus on one-on-one client support, as well as program design and communications. I also assist with our site's TANF training program, through which I conduct educational assessments and facilitate a tablet technology class. - Will Macheel, Milwaukee Fellow
I work mostly on developing and facilitating Career Compass based trainings. These webinars center around self-reflection, career-mapping, and decision making skills. - Lily Bickerstaff-Richard, Bronx Fellow
What is your research topic?
Digital literacy and COVID-19. - Alex Guterbock, Milwaukee Fellow
The effect of social support and program participation on the career adaptability of youth. - Jonathan Perez-Reyzin, Brooklyn Fellow
How the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the career development of mothers. - Emily Peck, 5th Avenue Manhattan Fellow
The relationship between perceived self-efficacy, care-taking responsibilities, and successful completion of postsecondary education among TANF recipients. - Sofia Crouch, 45th Street Manhattan Fellow
How COVID-19 has changed hiring requirements and how that change has affected individuals with criminal backgrounds getting employed. - Taylin Bower, Baltimore Fellow
How moments of national crisis shape the values and work demands of workers. - Simon Caskey, Brooklyn Fellow
Understanding how transitioning to civilian life affects veterans in their workforce development. - Yegene Lee, Los Angeles Fellow
High-road employment, looking at what barriers lead people to leave jobs, and identifying what employment policies could help improve long-term job retention. - Rachel Tropp, 45th Street Manhattan Fellow
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Empowering Parents to Incorporate Workforce Development in the Home to Prepare their Children for the Future. - Dara Ogunsakin, D.C. Fellow
Individuals with Disabilities and the factors that affect their ability to find work. - Sabrina Gandy, D.C. Fellow
Examining the reservation wages and employment rates of the Ticket to Work (TTW) clients we serve. - Will Macheel, Milwaukee Fellow
Understanding orientations to flexibility and security among Millennials, and examining what life circumstances most affect these orientations. - Lily Bickerstaff-Richard, Bronx Fellow
What has been your favorite part about the fellowship so far?
I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve and form relationships with my clients. - Alex Guterbock, Milwaukee Fellow
My favorite part has been working with young NeON clients! I feel that I have really developed a positive working relationship with them. - Jonathan Perez-Reyzin, Brooklyn Fellow
It's been really meaningful to see how much the clients value and appreciate our trainings. Knowing that the work we do is actually making a positive impact on the lives of these individuals is very gratifying, especially during such a challenging time. - Emily Peck, 5th Avenue Manhattan Fellow
One aspect I have enjoyed is getting to meet the other Fellows, albeit virtually, and feel like I am part of a team working to provide support to others. - Sofia Crouch, 45th Street Manhattan Fellow
My favorite part has been the one-on-one relationships I have been able to make with the clients, even virtually. Or the graduation ceremonies for the Pretrial Diversion Program which I have been able to attend for our participants. - Taylin Bower, Baltimore Fellow
Leading Pre-HSE webinars feels very rewarding as I have a consistent set of clients that I can watch make progress every week. - Simon Caskey, Brooklyn Fellow
Definitely working directly with clients is what I’ve enjoyed most! - Yegene Lee, Los Angeles Fellow
Connecting with other fellows & dipping my feet in a multitude of different projects has been my favorite part. - Dara Ogunsakin, D.C. Fellow
I like working with our clients! I’m going to miss them so much. - Sabrina Gandy, D.C. Fellow
I have enjoyed being able to form virtual connections with so many new people including the clients, the fellows, as well as other trainers! - Lily Bickerstaff-Richard, Bronx Fellow
What have you learned since the start of the fellowship?
I have learned how to respond to crisis situations in an appropriate and trauma-informed way. I feel that I am much more confident in my ability to serve clients and provide support for challenging life situations. I have learned a lot about how the welfare system works -- both its successes and failures. I have also gained a lot of insight into what needs to change on both a macro and micro level to better serve clients and improve lives. - Alex Guterbock, Milwaukee Fellow
I've learned that it can be very difficult to engage with people via webinar, especially when you can't see their faces, but also that it is possible to create connections nevertheless. I have also learned that I really do enjoy direct service and interacting with the people I serve. - Jonathan Perez-Reyzin, Brooklyn Fellow
Over the course of the fellowship, I've learned a lot more about the specific needs of our clients and how to address those needs in a more targeted and creative way. Learning how to contextualize our trainings given our clients’ unique experiences and backgrounds has been a challenge, but something that I have improved on over the past couple of months. - Emily Peck, 5th Avenue Manhattan Fellow
I feel that I had to reexamine a lot of my assumptions about what work would look like for our clients. I spent a lot of time in an education and nonprofit bubble, so seeing other, very different lines of work was an eye-opening experience. - Simon Caskey, Brooklyn Fellow
I've learned so much about the veteran population and their experiences. I feel like there is a strong divide between military veterans and civilians who may not know anyone who has served, and it's been incredibly enlightening and rewarding to be able to connect with my clients and see how their experiences have impacted them and continue to impact them. - Yegene Lee, Los Angeles Fellow
To me, effective workforce development considers and addresses different social issues, so it’s been interesting to see how other fellows, staff members, and government partners incorporate that into the work we do. - Dara Ogunsakin, D.C. Fellow
This fellowship has verified my interest in working in a direct service capacity. Getting to know my clients and working with them every day has been an incredible experience. - Sabrina Gandy, D.C. Fellow
I’ve learned that the workforce development system is complex! It can be hard to navigate, especially with the technology divides COVID has caused, and I've found myself learning about different programs and regulations alongside my clients as they experience them. For many of our clients, helping them stabilize other parts of their life - housing, healthcare, childcare, etc. - before they find a job is just as important as the "classic" employment services we offer. - Will Macheel, Milwaukee Fellow
Learning about the various organizations and policies which comprise workforce development in the United States while also seeing the lived experiences of people who are impacted by such policies and organizations has been really eye-opening. - Lily Bickerstaff-Richard, Bronx Fellow
What advice do you have for incoming fellows?
The relationships you get to build with clients are the most important part so make sure you put most of your energy into that. - Alex Guterbock, Milwaukee Fellow
For those fellows who will be teaching: try to keep things conversational! I've found that too much presenting and not enough interaction can really make a webinar less effective. - Jonathan Perez-Reyzin, Brooklyn Fellow
Make an effort to connect with other trainers and staff at your site. They often have really great insight into the clients' needs and experiences since they've been working with them far longer than we have. They are also very supportive and encouraging of our growth as fellows, so building that network of support can really enhance your experience. - Emily Peck, 5th Avenue Manhattan Fellow
Always try to keep perspective and compassion when working this closely with people. - Taylin Bower, Baltimore Fellow
Reach out to others! My best ideas come from what I get when I get a second opinion from another trainer. A second set of eyes can change your own perspective. - Simon Caskey, Brooklyn Fellow
Don't be afraid to ask for help! There are a lot of other great organizations and case managers who are also trying to provide supportive services; don't be afraid to make those connections and reach out to develop a comprehensive safety net for each client. - Yegene Lee, Los Angeles Fellow
Lean on the other fellows for support & be transparent with your site director about any challenges or desires you have for the year. - Dara Ogunsakin, D.C. Fellow
Case management is demanding, don't forget to take care of yourself! - Sabrina Gandy, D.C. Fellow
Be open to growth and the challenges that this fellowship will offer. It will not go how you expect. Your ideas and ideologies about social policy and workforce development may change. Being adaptable is important, as responsibilities can vary day-to-day. - Will Macheel, Milwaukee Fellow
Be authentic! I know it sounds cheesy but being yourself is the best way to form relationships with trainers, fellows, and clients and usually leads to the most engagement and impact when facilitating trainings. - Lily Bickerstaff-Richard, Bronx Fellow
REFLECTING ON THE FELLOWSHIP THUS FAR
It has been quite an intense yet enlightening year for many of us Fellows as we have learned to navigate the field of workforce development. For many of us, this was done from the comfort of our own homes. As Brooklyn Fellow Simon Caskey notes, “It's hard to imagine what this would have looked like without working remotely. COVID really did change the world of work.” Having started the fellowship in late July and August, our experiences have largely been shaped by the impacts of the pandemic on the job market, with unemployment levels at the highest they had been since the Great Depression. It has made the work we’re doing that much more meaningful.
Despite being scattered all over the country, we have managed to form bonds with one another and keep up to date on each other’s projects. Los Angeles Fellow, Yegene Lee, comments “It's been an amazing experience to work with this cohort of fellows and hear about their work at different sites!” Stay tuned to hear about the final couple months of the Work First Fellowship on our Twitter and Blog.