Bowling Green, Ky (July 27, 2020) – Digital Works (DW), a program of Connected Nation, hit its 1,000th job placement on July XX, 2020! In celebration, we will be sharing stories of past participants, facilitators, supporters, and funders/partners, along with the history of our program and how it has impacted so many lives.
Over the past eight years, Digital Works has helped more than 1,000 people find the perfect remote jobs. But none of this would be possible without the amazing facilitators. They are the ones in class every day teaching and helping participants succeed.
In 2013, Tammy Spring was introduced to the concept of Digital Works from Connected Nation via Connect Tennessee. She was hired alongside Teresa Felton to help develop and implement curriculum, set up the initial brick-and-mortar training locations, conduct outreach within our communities, and facilitate the very first DW classes.
Since then, she has helped grow DW to over 16 facilities and eight franchise locations in six different states. She was also there when the program was introduced to the virtual format, making it possible to include offsite classroom instruction (via webinar). This prepared DW to seamlessly shift from classroom instruction to a 100 percent virtual offering when COVID-19 arrived.
“Digital Works has been and always will be my labor of love,” said Spring. “Helping others achieve their goals is one of the most satisfying things that anyone could possibly ever do…and I am honored to have the opportunity to do this with each and every one of our graduates!”
Spring has had a big impact on all her classes, but student Tracey Dwyer was especially moved by her and how this program helped others. So much so that she decided she wanted to work for DW herself.
“Throughout the classes I kept going, ‘This is amazing. We really need to expand this.’ I felt we could do so much more,” Dwyer said. “I knew I could make this work.”
Dwyer began teaching classes in West Union, Ohio, where she had taken the class herself in 2014. Using her previous managerial experience, she increased the classes percent graduation rate to 100 and a 98 percent job placement rate for the location. After her time with DW, Dwyer got a job with the call center LiveOps. She now works from home and is able to spend more time with her 10-year-old son.
“To anybody thinking about this, I would suggest you sign up,” said Dwyer. “Digital Works has changed my life for the good, and I can’t recommend it enough!”
Along with Spring and Dwyer, many people have filled the facilitator role at various DW locations. But one of the most recent facilitators, Jessica Golson, is a standout due to her dedication, influence, and willingness to help others in her community.
Golson is a military spouse and mother of six living in Fort Campbell, Ky. She was drawn to the program because of the potential it had to provide more remote jobs to military spouses, veterans, and veterans spouses. She then applied for the job and was hired in December of 2019.
Along with Spring, Golson is responsible for running the newest facility in Fort Campbell. Her position allows her to be involved with program outreach, while also using a teaching background to bring the classroom to life and engage one-on-one with the students.
“Our job as facilitators is to help the participants succeed, meeting and exceeding their career goals,” said Golson. “We provide placement assistance and additional résumé, interviewing, networking, and application guidance for as long as they need.”
She has also helped transition the program to the virtual setting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This gave participants an opportunity to still learn and take classes from home. As of today, DW Fort Campbell has completed six virtual classes and counting.
“The change in environment has opened my eyes to what our students see once they graduate and begin working from home,” said Golson. “Even though we are not in the traditional classroom setting, we are slowly establishing our place in the community, while still showing our success. We are helping people and have no plans to stop anytime soon.”
Tammy Spring, Tracey Dwyer, Jessica Golson, and the other DW facilitators make this program the success it is today. Without them we would not be able to help improve the lives of our participants. Thanks to all of our facilitators for making Digital Works a one-of-a-kind program!