"To be able to support yourself is a sacred thing because it gives you options and choices," says Sharon McCormick, a volunteer Employment Placement Counselor with InStepp, Inc. “I work with InStepp because it is all about empowerment for the job candidates and teaching them economic self-sufficiency. "Confidence starts with supporting yourself.” Freedom and choices come from maintaining that.
Sharon moved to Durham from Florida in March 2007 as she believes this area is where the future economy of the country is based. Sharon has worked with corporate, Federal, higher education and non-profit organizations in career coaching, career counseling, career development, career planning, recruiting, staffing, job placement, human resources, human services, teaching and training. “I always wanted to be a career counselor. When I started reading the employment ads in the newspaper as a young child, I was hooked. I knew that was my calling.” says Sharon. "I have always been interested in people and their growth and development, leading to my passion for finding people’s career treasure.” I like to bridge the gap between candidates and companies. The most exciting thing in the world to me is to uncover what an employer needs in a prospective employee, and to explore what skills a job candidate has and would like to use in the workplace.
Soon after Sharon moved to Durham, she spotted an ad in the Herald Sun newspaper about InStepp. The ad was for volunteer career counselors, and she was thrilled to meet with Gilda Womble, Executive Director, to find out about the progressive program where job candidates are in essence "pre-screened" for employment. Sharon is an HR Specialist for a Federal Agency and knows how important it is to have good, viable candidates for job consideration. She shares this information and other HR insights while leading a piece of the employability skills workshops that are held monthly for InStepp clients. Sharon teaches InStepp clients how to quantify their value as employees, understand what human resources people need throughout the hiring process, and how to stand out from their competition. “It’s exciting to see InStepp clients because they want to work. I love that,” states Sharon. “I'd like employers to know that InStepp clients are eager, motivated and ready to go to work. They appreciate the opportunity to be of service to people and they are proud to serve at a company.
Sharon truly enjoys volunteering with InStepp because she has the freedom to create cutting-edge materials and try different career counseling and job placement strategies. She is now working on helping InStepp candidates think of themselves as "brands" and she is helping them to uncover their unique gifts and skills. She promotes InStepp candidates whenever possible as she believes in their sincere intent to work and their genuine appreciation for the opportunity to produce results for an organization. She knows that employers need candidates who take pride and ownership of their jobs, and Sharon sees outstanding candidates every month at InStepp. The candidate's motivation and determination to voluntarily enter a rigorous and intense employability skills training program demonstrates their commitment to themselves, employers, and the community at large. Sharon supports that fully and encourages local employers to call and speak with Gilda about this treasure of a program.
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