My Hopelink Story: Jennifay Dean

Those words are music to Jennifay Dean's ears, especially because they don't just apply to one of the milestones she reached this year: earning her Associate of Applied Science degree from Lake Washington Technical College. The young woman has also graduated to full-time employment, and continues to thankfully celebrate her graduation to sobriety, dating to more than three years ago.

When Jennifay and her three children came to Hopelink, Jennifay wasn't sure when she'd be able to celebrate any sort of graduation. A tough childhood and even more difficult teenage years had landed her as a single, homeless and substance-abusing mother in a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Jennifay and her children made great progress while there. As part of her treatment, Jennifay's DSHS social worker referred her to Hopelink's Community Jobs program, which helps people find employment through pre-employment job readiness classes, one-on-one coaching and job internships that help build job skills.

"Hopelink assigned me to an amazing counselor to help guide me in my decision-making as I built a new life and new skills," Jennifay exclaimed, a broad smile lighting up her face. "Eventually, I got an internship with Hopelink itself. The people I worked with were wonderful. They gave me a job and life experience to live by, and encouraged me to build a portfolio of success to show others."

That experience, and the continuing support and encouragement of her Hopelink counselor, gave Jennifay new confidence in herself, and spurred her to explore a number of career options.

With her Hopelink counselor's help, Jennifay decided she was most interested in mechanical engineering, so she took a deep breath and plunged in. She enrolled at Lake Washington Technical College, majoring in Engineering Graphics with an emphasis on mechanical design. It's been a tough haul, mothering Michael (age 13), Michele (age 12) and Maegan (age 9) while taking a heavy load of classes, but Jennifay made it through. In June, after a year and a half, Jennifay donned her cap and gown and proudly crossed the stage to accept her diploma. A piece of parchment and some highly marketable job skills are not all she earned, however.

"I loved my experience at LWTC," she explained. "I made some friends I know I'll have for life, and seeing myself through their eyes, I have gotten to know myself better. I can see my potential now, and understand that it will take me far if I just let it. The self-confidence to experiment career-wise and follow my heart has been driven home by the love, encouragement, support and respect that I have gotten from everyone in my life during the last year and a half - what a great gift."

Jennifay now works at SNC-Lavalin Constructors, which designs, builds, operates and maintains thermal energy plants across the U.S. Jennifay's current job is primarily back-office support to the senior engineers on a design project, but also includes modifying and correcting drawings before they're sent to the field for construction. She is also beginning her first piping design, and her long-range plan is to become a fluent designer of the piping systems for thermal energy plants.

"There are a lot of guidelines, specifications, and regulations to know," Jennifay commented. "Coming in on the ground floor like I did is a great way to learn the right way to do things the first time."

Jennifay was the not the only one in her class at LWTC to pursue a job at the company: half of her class applied at the same time, but Jennifay was the only one hired. She said without AutoCAD industry experience or the degree, she could not have expected to get the job. Jennifay is excited about the company's growth potential and her chosen career as a whole, and is looking forward to celebrating other graduations in her future.

"Hopelink has helped my family grow and reach goals we never thought we could. For example, watching me go through college and start a great career, my children have a new appreciation for education and can see the rewards that come from one's commitment and hard work to building a better life," Jennifay explained. "We often talk about their dreams and goals and what they can do now to ensure that they are always within their reach. With this job and a clear career path, I'll be able to build up my savings and afford to send them to college. Before we know it, we'll be celebrating their graduations, and my Hopelink friends will be celebrating right along with us!"