A Workforce Grant Gets You Started — Here’s How To Finish Strong

There’s nothing like the excitement of starting a new career. You get to picture your future, from your first day in training to your dream promotions, in ways that you may not have done for years.

Workforce grants, including Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding, can make new career training accessible to people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it. With these grants, you can pay for career-focused and certification-oriented classes without having to take out loans. In just months, you can be well on your way to your dream career.

Make Time and Space for Studying

Recipients of workforce grants tend to have many other responsibilities besides schoolwork. Many are still working a job. Some are maintaining homes and caring for children, elders or people with special needs. If you have duties that demand your time, be sure you make room for your studies.

If you don’t already have a personal calendar, make one. If you do, set aside time blocks for classes and homework. Keep other things from intruding on that time.

If you can, create a dedicated space in your home for classes and studying. You don't need an entire room — just a little bit of space where you can sit down and know that when you’re there, you’re studying.

Organize Your Materials

The easier your study materials are to find and sort through, the smoother your entire student experience will be. Create a separate folder on your computer for your course and add sub-folders as needed.

Also, get a binder or a set of folders for your printed materials and label them. Keep a few unlabeled ones for materials that you’ll get later on in your course.

Take Advantage of Student Support Services

If your school or training organization offers student support services, don’t hesitate to use them. These are professionals who are dedicated to helping students succeed, whether you need help with the curriculum or just a little nudge to reach the next step in the learning journey.

You don’t have to be on the brink of failure to reach out. Sometimes, all you need is a little bit of clarification, and student support teams are happy to provide that help so you stay in a good place. And if you are struggling, those same teams are there to get you back on track without judgment.

Talk With a Career Coach

The sooner you start thinking about your job search, the better prepared you’ll be to succeed. Career coaches and advisors like those at MedCerts are valuable resources because they know how to land a job in the field you’re preparing to enter. MedCerts’s career advisors can assist you with:

• Job search strategies

• Relevant job listings and employer organizations

• Resume and cover letter writing

• Interview techniques

The more your career counselor knows your field, the better, especially when you’re looking to enter a specialized industry like healthcare or IT.

Getting Started

Workforce grants are the beginning of your journey. The rest is up to you. Get your space and schedule ready, buy or borrow school supplies and know what resources are available. The more proactive you are about your coursework, the better prepared you’ll be to launch into the workforce with confidence.