Cassondra Corbin-Thaddies, a respected Palm Beach County educator and a national curriculum specialist for McGraw-Hill Education, has been named to lead Next Step, a free intensive 10-week job readiness and mentoring program for women ages 18 to 25 offered by Dress for Success Palm Beaches.
Now in its sixth year, Next Step begins its winter session on Friday, Jan. 18 at the Lake Worth campus of Palm Beach State College and is focused on helping young women with resume writing, interviewing and communication skills, and how to leverage social media in the job search process. Those who complete the program receive head-to-toe workplace attire appropriate for a job interview. A full week’s wardrobe is provided if they succeed in landing employment.
“Next Step really lives up to its promise of helping these young job-seekers build confidence and self-esteem as they head out in their job search or embark on a career,” said Corbin-Thaddies, who will facilitate the weekly sessions, joined by a group of volunteer mentors representing a range of professional backgrounds. “Most of those we serve in the program are entering the workforce for the first time and include individuals who are aging out of foster care or are at risk in some way. Over the years, more than 100 women have completed the program, with 60 percent of them directly securing a job. So, I strongly encourage any young woman who might be struggling with how to take that next step in her life — how to find a job that’s right for her, keep it and ultimately become economically independent — to enroll in this program.”
Dress for Success also offers a job readiness program, New Directions, for women age 26 or older. This 10-week series of three-hour sessions plus one-on-one mentoring begins its winter term on Thursday, Feb. 14 at the Children’s Services Council in Boynton Beach.
To learn more, contact (561) 249-3898 or e-mail palmbeaches@dressforsuccess.org.
