Stephanie
Stephanie first came into the Iroquois County, East Central Illinois workNet office in May of 2021. Stephanie had been working for T&D Metal Products and was given the chance to be promoted within the company to be an Estimator. The position required computer graphic knowledge and certification to design metal fabricated parts for the company. This promotion would help Stephanie obtain self-sufficiency. She was denied financial aid due to having an associate degree in general studies. At the time of enrollment, Stephanie was a single mom of 2 younger children.
Stephanie’s individual employment plan included enrolling into the Adult Program to complete the Associate Degree in Applied Science, Computer Graphic Technology program, at Kankakee Community College, starting in the fall of 2021, with an estimated completion date of July 2023. Stephanie received financial assistance with tuition, fees, books, supplies, and mileage reimbursement. She also received case management and career coaching along the way.
Stephanie has stood out because of the effort she has put into completing her degree while being a low-income, single parent of 2 young children. She graduated with an Associate Degree in Applied Science, Computer Graphic Technology, in May of 2024. Stephanie was very determined to complete her degree and maintained a 3.0 GPA while working, taking care of home, and caring for her 2 children. She has now transitioned to follow up and is happily employed and maintaining her position as an Estimator with T&D metal.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the ECIW for helping me though my academic journey. With the assistance of ECIW’s funding and support services, I was able to complete my Associate Degree in Applied Science from Kankakee Community College. During this time, I was blessed to have amazing career coaches along the way that made the process truly effortless,” Stephanie says.
“I did remain full time at T&D the whole time I went to school. I was and still am an estimator and my degree was able to give me the tools I needed to fulfil all my job duties and more,” Stephanie adds.