Stories of success

When Judy Michlig first stepped into the Mat-Su Job Center, she wanted to learn how to prepare herself for employment, and ultimately to find a job. Now, just a short time later, she is the one putting other people in employment opportunities.

Michlig is one of many success stories that come out of the Mat-Su Job Center. But Michlig's story is a little different -- she now works at the center and coordinates a very successful job force development program.

"I love my job, getting to help people to succeed when they didn't think they could," Michlig said. "When their job is going well and they come back and thank you, you feel like you are giving something back. I know how they feel trying to find work. I was sitting in their place. They look at me and know it can be done."

Like a good majority of the job seekers who come to the Mat-Su Job Center, Michlig was there because of unforeseen circumstances. A medical condition required five surgeries, and her husband couldn't work because of an injury to his back and neck. On public assistance, Michlig said she couldn't feel much worse.

"When you are staring at a $200 social security check as your entire monthly income, you have to be driven by that," Michlig said. "And when you find a job, there is such relief."

Michlig's career path mirrors those of many who go to the Mat-Su Job Center. There is much more than just job listings, Michlig said. There are resum/ classes, Dress for Success workshops, resources to help with interviewing and a wide range of other employment-related services.

"I spent three months looking hard for employment, and then a position opened up here for a job coach and I was hired," Michlig said. "I had gone to the Career Academy, where I graduated second in my class (studying business office specialist). I put the effort into it."

She has worked at the Mat-Su Job Center for a year and two months, first as a job coach, and then as a workforce case manager. Last fall, a new community work experience coordinator position became available, and Michlig was hired for it. Now, she takes people and looks at their interests and matches them with a nonprofit agency. For 13 weeks, they volunteer at the agency, and ultimately, it often leads to full-time employment.

"We've had 65 people come through the program, and 21 are either employed where they volunteered, or are employed using the skills they acquired through the program," Michlig said proudly.

Michlig said that while the Mat-Su Job Center and its many programs, like the one she coordinates, are very helpful, ultimately, the responsibility lies with the people looking for work.

"We can show you the path, but you have to take the steps," Michlig said. "It's worth jumping through hoops."

Michlig only has to look one cubicle down the hallway at the Mat-Su Job Center to see that her program is working.

That's where Monica Torrey sits at her desk. Four months ago, Torrey was sitting at home, sick and unemployed.

"And then I met Judy. I called her up and said I don't want to sit here bored on public assistance doing nothing," Torrey said. "Judy kept encouraging me, and within a couple of weeks, I was interviewing like crazy for a job."

Torrey said her experience with the Mat-Su Job Center -- before she was employed there -- has made a difference in her life.

"I'd give a lot of credit to this company. They've gone above and beyond to ensure I'd have success. They really set you up for success. They don't leave anything out," Torrey said. "There is no way I'd be doing what I'm doing now without them."

Like Michlig, Torrey is a role model for those looking to find employment.

"I was recently divorced, I was sick and I couldn't work," Torrey said. "But you know what? I'm still sick, but I'm working. There are jobs out there for people who are sick, physically and mentally, but you have to want to work."