Nontraditional Employment for Women

Winter Blackman

NEW started my 15+ year career in the trades, that has afforded me great opportunities to work, travel and take care of my family. And the security of knowing they will try their best to make sure I am in connection with the people that want skilled, trained and knowledgeable trades women even though I graduated 2 decades ago.

Patrice Davis

After having a hard time finding full-time, career-related work after undergraduate graduation, due to a lack of relevant experience. I embarked on my journey with NEW in December of 2020. I attended the orientation, sat and passed the entrance exam and got the OK from the director of the program in Feb of 2021. It was after this step, things started falling apart, I wasn't followed up with, in order to complete my intake until I had reached out to them almost a month later. During the intake screening, the individual stated "I could have sworn I did your intake before." I informed her otherwise. That was the first red flag, indicative of a lack of organization. Again I waited months to hear from someone regarding being scheduled to start classes. I finally heard from someone in July, via email that I would be scheduled for classes in late August/September 2021. Since so much time had passed, and my work schedule changed, I wasn't able to commit to the evening program that I was scheduled for. Thus I responded to the email and asked to be switched to a class schedule that commences during daytime hours; in addition to some other questions about the information contained in the email. No one responded. I showed up for remote class orientation for the aforementioned evening class, just so that someone could shed some light on why I was being blatantly ignored, I was told that I would be followed up with. It's now. mid-October 2021, after 3 emails over a 3 month period, I still have no idea if I'm even being considered for the program or not. Meanwhile, I am struggling financially trying to stave off homelessness. This process has been such a letdown. The program is free and although it's meant to elevate women to a position of absolute self reliance, it's poorly executed and it seems as though the administrators retaliate against you if you ask too many questions. It shouldn't take almost a year, just to start classes, it also shouldn't take over a month to get a response from someone.

Jessica Rodriguez

I have NEVER seen so many administrators in one program lacking in professionalism, compassion, organization, and communication skills. It was astounding how rude and dismissive every single staff member was, especially for a program designed to help women in need get a leg up and learn professionalism and job skills. Women dismissed from the program because the coordinator did not like their tone. Threats of "even if you graduate I won't recommend you for a job if I don't like you". The admins repeatedly emailed me for the same paperwork because they kept losing it. I got called and scolded for "being late" to a Zoom meeting I RSVP'd No to. I keep getting emails asking me to complete a survey about how NEW helped me in my career, so they can keep their funding. My class started with almost thirty students. I don't know of a single one that would say that NEW helped them in any way. For several of us, it was faster and easier to find new jobs on our own. Please don't waste your time.

Victoria Bag

I need a job this place... I am Indian