‘I feel at home’: How Bridges led Christine to a wonderful job

Christine Randall remembers the day everything changed.

For too long, she’d been in an unhealthy work environment that left with her low self-esteem and anxious feelings. Then, she was out of work, and feeling low. But there were flickers of who she was before and what she had inside. One day, she worked up the courage to ask for help.

“I went to WorkBC and I just started bawling,” says Christine. “I didn’t know where to start.”

After listening to her story, the team at WorkBC Centre Vernon helped Christine take small but big steps, one at a time. First, she took a week-long series of job readiness workshops to help her build her resume and cover letter, and practice job interview skills.

On the day when all of that was ready and a job that might’ve been a good fit came up, Christine says, “I didn’t want to apply. I still had such a low self-esteem and I realized I wasn’t ready to go back to work.”

To help Christine regain her confidence and build skills for the workplace and life, she was invited to participate in Bridges, a program that supports women facing barriers to employment.

“We did a lot of soul searching and confidence building. I think that was the biggest help for me—getting that network of people just to talk to. Before that, there were times when I felt so terrible I didn’t even want to leave the house. Bridges helped me a lot—it gave me the confidence to look for work again.”

When the time was right, Christine had both her resume and her spark back. With an interest and some experience in bookkeeping and administration, Christine applied to two positions. One was an accounting clerk position with the Splatsin band office in Enderby; they offered her the job right away. The second employer offered to match the wage of her other offer.

“I definitely needed that boost. I am a hard worker and I do put a big effort into my job.”

Six months later, Christine feels grateful for the opportunity to join the Splatsin finance team.

“I feel very at home there and I knew that when I walked into the interview. I work with the most amazing ladies. There are several women and everyone is friendly and approachable. We all work great together.”

In her day-to-day, she supports accounts payable by processing invoices, updating spreadsheets and reconciling accounts. She’s had the chance to track expenses and support local housing projects, and she’s already increased her duties and responsibilities, and had her pay increased.

“It’s very refreshing to be in a position where I feel appreciated,” says Christine. “It’s a busy job and I love it. I can keep up. I feel pretty good.”

Looking back on all the growth of the last year, Christine says she would tell another woman in her shoes to consider trying Bridges.

“I would tell them definitely to go talk to WorkBC and take part in the Bridges course. It will lift your spirts. It’s the greatest group of women you ever met. You feel like you’re family helping one another.”

 Are you a woman who could benefit from extra supports gaining confidence and employment skills? Visit WorkBC Centre Vernon and get started.