(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA • October 23, 2014)—In January 2011, Kate Kelly was laid off from her customer service and office management position after working for her employer for nearly ten years. “My father had passed away a year before and my confidence was shot,” she says, adding that she was overwhelmed by the thought of interviewing, resume writing and the job-search process. Then Kelly discovered Delaware County Community College’s New Choices Career Development Program and was soon back up on her feet.

“The fact that there was no cost for the New Choices program was appealing since I was on unemployment at the time,” says Kelly. She knew the program would give her the chance to update her career and personal development skills. Once in class, Kelly quickly realized that she wasn’t alone—her classmates were going through similar career and life transitions. She remembers fondly the support and encouragement that they provided for one another throughout the program as she learned more about herself and determined what else she could do in the working world.

The program exercises, assessments and evaluations helped Kelly decide that returning to college was her next step. “The exposure to a college environment while taking the New Choices program inspired me.”  Following graduation from the program, she began an associate degree at the College.

Kelly credits the New Choices program with helping her to reach her goals. She graduated in May with two associate degrees from Delaware County Community College—one in Business Management and one in Communications—and is employed again. “I never would have been able to accomplish it without the encouragement, support, and knowledge I received from the New Choices program. The support from the staff in the program extended even after I completed the program,” she says. “Going through this program was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Without it, I would not have had the confidence in myself to try something new.”

New Choices is a FREE program that helps individuals make career, educational and personal changes successfully. The program provides individual and group support, career-planning workshops, employer contacts, networking connections, resume writing, interviewing techniques and basic computer skills. The goal is to assist individuals in gaining the knowledge and skills needed to find a job, enhance career opportunities, and become self-supporting.  The next sessions begin in January and March. Interested individuals should call 610-359-5232 for more information. The College is located at 901 S. Media Line Road, Media, PA.

Call 610-359-5232 for more information.