After two decades away from paid work to raise her children, Cat reclaimed her independence—and her career—through free training, resume workshops, and one-on-one career navigation offered by the San Diego Workforce Partnership. With support and encouragement, she is earning her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from SDSU and stepping back into the workforce with clarity, skills, and confidence.
Below, Cat describes how accessible resources and those who believed in her contributed to her rewriting her story.
I was out of the workforce for nearly 20 years, dedicating myself to raising my kids and supporting my husband. Before that, I had been a single mother juggling work and parenting. When I remarried into a blended family, there was an unspoken expectation that I would not work outside the home.
While I was proud to be a full-time mom, over time I realized I had lost touch with my own identity. I missed contributing to something beyond my household. But more importantly, I came to understand that discouraging me from working was about more than tradition—it was a way of limiting my financial independence.
After so many years away from formal employment, the idea of reentering the workforce felt overwhelming. I had no recent job history, just years of volunteer work and life experience. But when I separated from my husband, I knew I had to become self-sufficient and rebuild—not just my résumé, but my life.
When I decided to return to work, I wasn’t sure where to begin. I had experience in project and program management, but being away from the fast-paced tech and design industries where I had once thrived, everything felt different—new tools, new norms, new expectations. That’s when I discovered the San Diego Workforce Partnership.
I began attending resume workshops at the Career Center in El Cajon and was surprised by how much I remembered—just from helping my kids with their schoolwork over the years, I had retained more computer skills than I’d realized. Those workshops helped me pause and reflect on what I truly wanted from this next chapter. Most importantly, they reminded me that I had something valuable to offer.
Working with Kristi, SDWP’s Curriculum Learning Specialist, I felt encouraged instead of judged. She helped me gain the clarity and confidence to apply for one of their free training programs. From there, I was matched with a career navigator who guided me through the process of enrolling in the Professional Program Management Certificate program at SDSU.
In December, I passed the PMP exam. I was officially certified, and that moment marked a major turning point in my life.
But it wasn’t easy. There were moments early in the program when I doubted myself and came close to giving up. During one particularly hard time, my career navigator sent me a message that reminded me I wasn’t alone. That simple gesture helped me persevere.
The team at SDWP made the entire process warm and empowering. From Kristi’s mentorship to the check-ins, job leads, and encouraging emails, I’ve felt supported every step of the way. I still attend workshops, including a new pilot on salary negotiation, and often retake past sessions—there’s always more to learn.
But SDWP’s support goes far beyond skills and certifications—they help people navigate the real-world challenges of today’s workforce.
Recently, I received a verbal job offer that seemed like a great fit. But when the written version came through, it didn’t match what had been discussed. I felt unsure of how to respond. I reached out to Kristi, who helped me take a deep breath, write a professional reply, and evaluate the offer with confidence.
In the end, the offer was rescinded. But instead of seeing it as a loss, I saw it as a win. In the past, I might have accepted it out of fear or desperation. This time, I had the strength to say no—and the faith that something better is ahead.
Reentering the workforce after 20 years is no small feat. But with the encouragement of the San Diego Workforce Partnership—and my own growing sense of purpose—I know I’ll find the right opportunity. And this time, it will be on my terms.