workNet DuPage helped Betty regain confidence and land a new job
An unexpected midlife jolt brought Betty Bacigalupo to workNet DuPage.
According to Betty, after two plus decades climbing the corporate ladder, “It was the first time I had found myself without a job.” A lifelong DuPage County resident who grew up in Downers Grove and now lives in Aurora, Betty worried she wouldn’t get a new job. Her three biggest fears included age discrimination, needing a CPA for upper management roles, and – most worrisome – losing her home.
Thanks to hard work, perseverance, and help from workNet DuPage, Betty found her footing. Today, six months later, she’s gainfully employed as the Controller for Ray Graham, a nonprofit empowering people with disabilities. In addition, she’s currently enrolled in online classes to pursue that CPA.
Recently, we sat down with Betty for a Q&A.
What did you do before you found the workNet DuPage Career Center? I spent 26 years working my way up from an Accounts Payable Associate to a Controller/Director of Finance.
How did you hear about workNet DuPage? In December 2019, a month after losing my job, I saw a colleague’s LinkedIn post recommending workNet DuPage. He credited the career center with providing financial assistance to help him complete a BA program. His post came at the most opportune moment -- my first time without a job feeling hopeless.
What did you want to accomplish at the center? I wanted to learn how to update my resume, conduct a job search, and gain confidence.
Discuss the training you received. One-on-one coaching allowed me to focus on what I needed to do: GET a JOB and stop beating myself up! I also received group training with a fantastic, supportive cohort of fellow job seekers. We gave one another nonjudgmental feedback.
What surprised you about the experience? workNet DuPage’s friendly atmosphere, the counselors’ willingness to help, and shared desire to see us land a job! Best of all, there was no sugarcoating.
How did workNet DuPage’s services benefit you? It put things in perspective to know there were other people my age in the same position. I found the seminars helpful and appreciated Jennifer’s encouragement when a few interviews didn’t pan out. She assured me it just wasn't the right fit.
How did you land your new job? Jennifer emailed me a job posting. I reached out to the recruiter who told me I did not qualify without a CPA. When the same recruiter came across a Controller position, he contacted me to set up an interview. The interviews went well, but after the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, I never heard anything. After several weeks, Jennifer suggested I be proactive and reach out directly to the company. Within a week, they offered me the position.
What is your role on the job? As the Controller for Ray Graham, a nonprofit empowering people with disabilities, I’m responsible for the day-to-day accounting operations, and managing the finance team through work allocation, coaching, mentoring and problem resolution. I also maintain a system of internal controls and budgetary guidelines.
How has your life changed? workNet DuPage helped me regain my confidence, land a new role, and meet lifelong supporters. I feel focused and ready to tackle the world.
Would you recommend the workNet DuPage Career Center to a good friend? Most definitely!! I cannot say enough about workNet DuPage! Everyone there wants you to succeed. You are treated with respect and dignity. They build you up! But you have to want it too….it is not handed to you!
AS A RESULT OF WORKNET DUPAGE, CLIENTS REPORT THEY GET MORE – AND BETTER – JOB OFFERS.
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Peek Inside: At this location, we offer our customers a wide range of manufacturing capabilities, from CNC machining all the way to complete product assembly and fulfillment.
Fun fact about our company: a robot works right alongside our machinists to produce parts with quality and efficiency!
You would like to work at our company if
you are interested in the wide range of evolving technologies, processes and creativity that go into the world of modern manufacturing.
In the next year, we expect to hire CNC machinists
To get that job, you typically need a high school diploma and vocational or technical training in machining. We offer additional on-the-job training once a new machinist with the foundational skills and experience joins the team so they can continue to master their craft.
Our best machinists have: a passion about the art and science that goes into taking a raw piece of metal or plastic and forming it into a high-precision design.
CNC Machinists From this position, you could grow into
Master Machinist
Machining Business Manager
Owner of your own machining business
In the next year, we expect to hire Assembly Operators
To get that job, you typically need a high school diploma, a mechanical aptitude and a willingness to learn and closely follow processes and work instructions.
Our best assembly operators are eager learners and pay attention to details. They enjoy working on different types of mechanical work every day.
Assembly Operators From this position, you could grow into
lead operator
supervisor
manufacturing manager
FEATURED ORGANIZATION:
Company Name: The Jel Sert Company
DuPage Location: West Chicago, IL
Total number of employees in DuPage: 900 during peak season
Peek Inside
The Jel Sert Company is a leading manufacturer of food and beverage products. For the past 20 years, our team has been dedicated to establishing an exemplary manufacturing infrastructure that supports the needs of some of the world’s largest Consumer Packaged Goods and pharmaceutical companies.
Jel Sert is committed to providing employees with development opportunities as we are invested in their long term success and advancement within the organization. An individual development plan assists employees in career and personal development and allows employees to reach short and long term career goals.
You would like to work at our company because
We are committed to attracting the best talent and developing our employees to exceed their potential. Our employees take pride in their work and are always looking for ways to contribute their ideas, skills, experience, and passion. We reward and value creativity, professionalism, teamwork, honesty, and longevity.
In the next year, we expect to hire 2-3 technicians
To get this job, you typically need a Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with electrical, hydraulics, programming, and mechanical PLCs is required.
We pay $2.00 per hour shift differential for all time worked on 3rd shift. *Rate of pay depends on one’s experience, education, and skills.
Our best technicians have: Strong mechanical and electrical skills Additionally, someone that takes pride in their work, is honest, creative in their ideas, and works as a professional in a team environment.
All Technicians are sent to College of DuPage for classes. Technicians are scheduled for a series of six mechanical and six electrical classes. Classes are during work hours, so Technicians are paid for their time in class. We adjust their hours to spend half their shift on the floor and the balance in the class. Jel Sert pays for this training which includes classroom and lab work. All Technicians are involved in this training despite their experience level.
TECHNICIAN
From this position, you could grow into
