Graduate of UC's Digital Skills Lab lands a new job in hospital project management
In the spring of 2020, after Nikki Little was laid off from her full-time job due to the pandemic, she enrolled in courses through the Office of Professional and Continuing Education. Studying alongside her children, who were at home in distance learning, Little worked hard preparing to take the exams to earn her professional credentials as a Certified Associate in Project Management and a Microsoft Office Specialist in Excel. These credentials, she hoped, would increase her chances for getting a good job.
In record time, she succeeded in earning her professional certificates, and was set to look for a job showcasing her new credentials. Her hard work paid off and, this May, Little was hired on at GWS Healthcare.
Going through the program at UC and getting certified in CAPM® and Excel is the reason why I have this new job."
Nikki Little
Little loves her new job. Initially, she had applied for a position just to get her foot in the door, but after multiple interviews company executives wanted her in a more advanced role to better utilize her professional skillset. They created a special position for Little as assistant project manager to the project manager for hospital relocation and expansion.
Being new to the industry, she knows she has a lot to learn, but her strong project management skills and professional certifications are being applied to her job every day.
Little earned her CAPM® certification through UC's Digital Skills Lab as part of a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Labor. Her MOS Excel certification training was thanks to Ohio’s Individual Microcredential Assistance Program and UC's strategic agreement with Microsoft to develop tech talent in the region. Little also made use of the career development services offered by the Experienced Based Learning & Career Education’s NEXT Apprenticeship Program for one-on-one career counseling and support.
"The hiring manager was credentialed in PMP and recognized the difficulty in earning a certificate in project management. I don’t believe I would have gotten the interview without the CAPM® badge on my resume," Little said.
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