Nakia Carter is a mother of five, who isn’t afraid to take chances to make her life and the lives of her children better.
“I want to encourage people to get out of their comfort zone and see what’s out there,” Nakia said. “Seek out different opportunities, because if you don’t make the move then you can’t find them.”
For Nakia, seeking out a different opportunity brought her to Digital Works in June 2016. She’d heard about the digital training and job placement programs offered by Digital Works while looking at employment opportunities through the Alvis House.
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Nakia was already a working mom. Her children ranged in age from 14 to 22, and she was home schooling her youngest daughter, Jayanna. With all that she was juggling, the chance to grow her skills so she could work from home appealed to Nakia.
So, she decided to take part in a week-long class, which is an accelerated program offered by Digital Works for those who already have some strong computer skills.
“They taught me customer service skills, stronger etiquette skills, how to work with e-mail more effectively, and explained what to do and what not to do when you’re speaking over the phone to someone,” Nakia said.
She excelled in the program and soon accepted a job at JCPenney’s call center in Columbus, where she has recently applied for the work-at-home option.
“My short-term goal is to get employment where I can work at home,” she said. “But my long-term goal is to finish school as a medical administrative assistant. I’ll be done with that next year in the spring/summer semester. Then, I’m going to look at doing at-home medical transcription and billing.”
Nakia credits her husband, Ibrahim, for encouraging her to pursue her dreams. She said he believed in her and has supported her as she went to school, searched for new employment, and even when she decided to get more training through Digital Works. Nakia says that training led her to a world of new opportunities.
“It gives you a chance to see where you’re at, brush up on your skills, and obtain new skills. That’s very important because, these days, the workforce is always changing. I’d recommend this program for anyone seeking an opportunity. As long as you are dedicated and diligent with what you really want, then I’d encourage you to seek out Digital Works.”