Shaquita Blanks
Shaquita Blanks began a job as an Account Specialist with a large manufacturing company in early 2020, participated in training for three weeks, then was sent home to work remotely due to Covid. She worked from home for over a year before the company began laying off workers. She said that she missed working as a team and was ready to leave the corporate world altogether by the time that she was laid off. While receiving unemployment insurance, Shaquita began volunteering at the Greater Waukegan Development Coalition (GWDC), first building their event studio, then planning a 10-year anniversary gala. GWDC is a community development organization that fosters economic development in economically challenged communities. GWDC’s management team noticed how valuable Shaquita’s contributions were to the organization and worked with Lake County Workforce Development to secure a work experience. Shaquita began her work experience as a Receptionist/Executive Assistant in January 2022. She quickly adapted to her new role and began developing relationships with key stakeholders, local legislators, and organized the community contracting project for GWDC’s board of directors.
Shaquita continued to develop professionally by upskilling and utilizing WIOA training funds to complete office management training at Computer Training Source. Within one year, she obtained certifications in managing projects and Microsoft products including: Access, Excel, QuickBooks, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Shaquita said that a flexible online learning schedule was important to her while raising her two boys. The training provider worked with her to identify classes that fit her work and home schedule.
Shaquita gained the necessary skills to apply for a direct-hire position with GWDC as Program Manager for their new Community Contracting Project in February of 2023. In this role, she works with small minority-owned businesses in Waukegan, Zion, and North Chicago, helping them to develop by accessing grants and loans. She coordinates a 7-week training program that will help participating businesses obtain their Minority Owned Business (MBE) certification. Shaquita loves the fact that her role allows her to give back to her community. When Shaquita needed to fill a receptionist position at GWDC, she knew where to turn. She contacted Lake County Workforce Development’s business team who sent her resumes of qualified candidates. A Workforce Development customer was hired for the role.
Shaquita shared that the services she received from Workforce Development helped her achieve her career goal to work in a field that she is passionate about. Her advice to future job seekers is, “Trust that all the dreams you want, want you back.”