Finding New Strength in the Face of Job Market Challenges

Nine years ago, Denise Roberts found herself at a crossroads in her career. She was unemployed and struggling to navigate a job market that had changed drastically. While other companies were moving on to more sophisticated technologies, her previous employment left her underdeveloped and unprepared to reenter the job market. When she began looking for a new role, she quickly realized that the accounting industry had evolved beyond her knowledge, leaving her skills outdated and uncompetitive in the workforce.  

It wasn’t until she met with a career navigator at one of the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s career centers that she got the training that equipped her with the skills she needed to land a new role, changing the trajectory of her life. Below, Denise tells us about her harrowing journey and how her experience of being unemployed led her down a different path to helping other people experiencing unemployment.  

I didn’t realize how outdated my skills were until I began reviewing job descriptions and found that I was unfamiliar with the tools and platforms required by these companies. I needed assistance learning these tools, but I didn’t know where to find training, how much it would cost, or if I could afford it. 

Even when I heard about the Workforce Partnership’s career centers, I wasn’t sure exactly how they could help me.  I sat down with a career navigator; they reviewed my resume and told me all the way that the SDWP could support me, free of charge.  

The career navigator recommended I enroll in a QuickBooks training course, an accounting software that most employers were using at the time. The course was a year-long and offered online, which would help refresh and expand my skills. The training allowed me to become more versatile and not just stuck in one type of job, like accounts receivable or payable. I learned how to handle different accounting segments and became comfortable using various software platforms.  

I remained unemployed during the duration of the course, a difficult time, but having that time to focus on my training made it worth it.  SDWP also provided me with interview prep and taught me how to sell myself to employers, which was a challenge for me. They taught me that I had value. This newfound confidence was crucial when I landed my first job after training.  

After completing the course, I decided to work with a temp agency. This allowed me to apply my new skills across different platforms and environments. Although many companies use QuickBooks, others use different software. Once you understand the basics, it’s just a matter of adjusting. The methodology remains the same. 

The temp jobs set the tone for my ambition and helped me get to where I am today. My salary increased, allowing me to buy a car and even consider homeownership—things I had put off during my unemployment. 

But my journey didn’t stop there. As I grew more confident, I started to reflect on what made me happy. I’ve always felt a connection to community work, and about three years ago, I realized that this was what I wanted to do with my life. I began to focus on work that brought me gratification, particularly helping people who are going through difficult times, as I once was.  

This shift in focus led me to a new mission. I noticed the waste generated by construction and wondered if there was a way to repurpose it while also creating jobs. I dove into research on recycling and upcycling, determined to find a way to get people back into the workforce through these efforts. This idea became my passion project, and I took a leap of faith. I founded an organization dedicated to upcycling waste materials, creating jobs, and helping the unhoused population.  

The organization officially launched this year, and it has been a rewarding experience to see something that started with a simple idea grow into a platform that allows people to use their creativity, find joy and make a living. 

I never imagined that a visit to the Workforce Partnership’s career center would lead me here. The support I received not only helped me regain my footing but also empowered me to follow a path that aligns with my values and passions. I’m grateful for the opportunity to build upon my experience and look forward to the future.