Wilda is a Communications Specialist with the San Diego Workforce Partnership. Here she describes her role, discusses what she likes best about working in workforce development and shares one of her proudest professional moments.
Tell us about your role at SDWP.
As Communications Specialist, I share success stories and partner news and events on our website and social media. I think about ways to be better support to our teams and community partners. Right now the communications team and I are working on launching our new website and starting to drive forward our FY16 annual report. People know me as slightly cat- and food-obsessed.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
The stories I hear are at once heartbreaking and inspiring. I am constantly learning about unique challenges faced by the populations we serve, including the formerly incarcerated, veterans, the homeless, youth, older workers, immigrants, refugees and people who have lived experience of mental illness. The world of workforce development — the world of work, empowerment and growth — touches so many aspects of social justice, a personal passion of mine. As a communicator, no two days are ever the same; one day I may be interviewing a success story participant and scheduling posts on Twitter and Facebook, another day I may be attending an economic roundtable and reporting on it for SDWP. I love the diversity of work and have found my niche putting my skills and talents to use in the social sector.
What professional moment or project are you most proud of?
This month is my one-year anniversary at SDWP and I can’t believe how quickly time has flown. I am proud to belong to such a diverse and dedicated group of people at SDWP; it’s an honor to be a part of this organization and to grow alongside it. My communications colleagues Desiree and Heather are wonderful to work with and I am constantly learning from them and everyone else. Professionally I am amazed I survived my first major assignment — the FY15 SDWP annual report — assigned to me in my first couple of weeks on the job. It was a hyperfast track for me to meet all the teams and learn about our programs and funding streams!