Sarah Randall

Sarah Randall came to Brevard Job Link in the summer of 2006 as a participant in the BEST (Business Employment Solutions and Training) program. At the time she was filled with a desire to fulfill her dream of becoming a medical assistant. Brevard Job Link Career Coach Helen Ortiz was there to help Randall achieve her goals.

Already enrolled in the Medical Assistant program at Brevard Community College (BCC), a Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. partner, Randall states "The BEST program provided the guidance and support I needed to complete the program enabling me to graduate in December 2006."

Randall's interest in healthcare started a few years earlier in October 2004. It was then that she began work with Health First Home Care as an office technician. Eventually, Sarah transferred to Health First - Cape Canaveral so she could work part-time while attending college. The part-time situation changed drastically; however, when she had to leave the position in order to pursue her education full-time.

"I came to Brevard Job Link because I had to leave my position at Cape Canaveral Hospital, and was unable to continue working during the fall semester. My fall college schedule was very busy including an externship every Monday through Friday. I receive no financial help although I do live at home with my parents. As you can imagine, it has truly been a struggle to pay for my education up to this point."

"I wish I had learned of Brevard Job Link at the beginning of the Medical Assistant program, as I might have been able to receive assistance earlier on. Any funding I may be eligible to receive will help me to complete my educational goals and it is extremely helpful and appreciated," explained Sarah.

Helen Ortiz, is happy to report that Sarah is now employed with Health First and is working as a Medical Assistant in a general surgeon's office. Sarah is also continuing to go to BCC part-time to obtain her RN degree and plans to become a Certified Medical Assistant, in the meantime. Her goal for the future is to become a trauma nurse.

Sarah Randall graduates from Brevard Community College in December 2006.

Paul Gardinal is a single father and custodial parent of two beautiful teenage daughters. Gardinal became a Brevard Job Link customer in March 2007 when he became unexpectedly unemployed and needed a bit of assistance in order to care for his family and get back on his feet.

Brevard Job Link career coach, Victoria Lasco, provided Gardinal with understanding how to obtain a professional attitude, an allowance for fuel for transportation to job interviews, inclusion in resume workshops, knowledge of how a resume should be presented and some very kind and inspirational words.

Explained Gardinal, “The BJL website was user friendly for job searching, and new jobs were being updated and posted every day. Victoria continued to encourage me to keep a positive attitude even into the new job when I seemed to lack the confidence that I could indeed fulfill my job duties as an MEP coordinator. The program provided me with the resources, knowledge and courage to help me obtain gainful employment. I benefited most from the encouragement my career coach had given me. The transportation allowance and employment guidance provided were also definitely needed”.