Makayla Kayhill-Walton always knew that she wanted to help people. After working as a Certified Nursing Assistant for five years and garnering a reputation for excellent customer service skills, Makayla decided she wanted to enter the financial services industry. When she found the BankWork$ program at Goodwill of Colorado in September of 2020, she felt like the program was made for her, and describes signing up as one of the best decisions she has ever made.  

“Helping people is my greatest passion,” says Makayla. “However, as I’ve gotten older, being on the healthcare front lines was no longer the right fit for me, and I wanted to find a role more on the administrative side. When I first discovered BankWork$, I knew nothing about banking, but learning financial skills came easily to me. What surprised me about the program was learning how to stand out in interviews and make my resume memorable. I learned how to do an elevator pitch, which has helped me to present the best version of myself, and I still use it today! I wouldn’t have learned that without this program.” All BankWork$ and CareerWork$ Medical participants learn how to present themselves in an elevator pitch, where they give a 30-second testimonial showcasing their abilities and personality.  

Makayla attended Candice Sporhase-White and Barbara Colwell’s BankWork$ class from September to November 2020 and feels sentimental when reflecting on her class experience. “I had personal issues that could have prevented me from getting a job, and they helped me overcome those obstacles. They were a shoulder to cry on, and I’ll forever be grateful,” says Makayla.   

Instructor Candice describes Makayla as an exceptional participant who always went the extra mile to help others. “Makayla took all she had learned while in BankWork$ to become a successful team member and leader within US Bank,” says Candice. “Her journey is both inspiring and so genuine, as is her passion to help others like her find success in the financial services industry. She was an inspirational alumni speaker at one of our graduations earlier this year, and expressed to our graduates that if they put into practice all that they have learned and believe in themselves, that their futures know no bounds.” 

After graduating from BankWork$, Makayla, like all CareerWork$ graduates, interviewed with local financial institutions looking to hire immediately. She accepted an offer from US Bank as a Client Relationship Consultant. “I felt like I connected so much with the district managers at US Bank,” says Makayla. “I’ve been here a year and a half now, and have already been promoted twice! In my current role, I work in a combined teller and banker position. I get to do basic things like notarizing documents, creating accounts, making deposits, and selling business credit cards. However, my favorite part of my job is helping elderly clients who often have difficulties with online banking. It reminds me of my nursing days, and it’s so refreshing to see how much they value a human relationship.” 

At US Bank, Makayla has had many opportunities to grow professionally. “I was able to participate in a US Bank LEAD group (Leadership Education Agility and Development), which is a five week program to meet my peers with different goals. My district manager also added me to the McKinsey Black Leadership Academy Experience, which has taught me so much about my influence and leadership as a Black woman.” 

Makayla encourages anyone considering BankWork$ to give it a shot. “You can continue doing what you’re doing now, or you can take that step and see what it’ll do for you. It may change your life as it did mine.” 

With an 83% career placement rate, Goodwill of Colorado has helped place hundreds of BankWork$ graduates into stable, lasting careers. To learn more about BankWork$ and our partnership with Goodwill of Colorado, click here.  

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Goodwill of Colorado BankWork$ is hosting an online information session on Monday, Sept. 12, beginning at 12 PM/Noon: Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85442152820?pwd=SE45SkRpVUFjZmM5MHd1dzhiWEt2QT09  

(Meeting ID: 854 4215 2820 Passcode: 457735) 

After getting laid off at the start of the COVID pandemic, Nesha Price wanted a career that could financially support her and her daughter. She got a job at a grocery store, but realized working twelve hours a week wasn’t enough to take care of her family. Nesha had always been interested in healthcare and knew she was a hard worker with great adaptability and organizational skills, but she had no healthcare experience and assumed she would not be able to find a career in the industry. “I wanted to get into healthcare and help make a difference, but I knew I didn’t want to be on the clinical side,” says Nesha. Initially apprehensive about signing up for CareerWork$ Medical because she’d never done a career readiness program, she took a “leap of faith” and says it turned her “whole life upside down”—in the best possible way.   

Nesha was easily able to fit attending Diana Monge’s class at JVS SoCal into her schedule while working at the grocery store on the weekends. “I was on the fence about signing up because I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t even know if I would get a job, but I figured that I have nothing to lose. I can only gain by signing up. In class, we learned a lot of technical parts of working at an administrative job, but what I didn’t expect was that the class would give me a new sense of confidence. Before this class, I would look at a place like Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and never think I’d be able to work there since I have no previous healthcare education or experience. But this class taught me to trust my abilities and find my confidence.”

Diana, Nesha’s instructor, speaks highly of her former participant. “During our time in CareerWork$, Nesha highlighted her leadership skills by always being the first to participate and lead in discussion, in other words, she helped me run the class. I had no doubt that she would be the first to get hired. She is not only a role model to her beautiful daughter but a role model to all our candidates. Every opportunity I get, I share Nesha’s story and notice this glimpse of hope in our students as they realize ‘I could be the next Nesha!’ I always say ‘with the right drive and level of motivation, you all can get there too!’ Not only is Nesha a hardworking go-getter, but she is also kind, compassionate, and always willing to go above and beyond to help those around her, which is rare to find. She certainly deserves all the promotions, and I would not at all be surprised if one day she is the lead in charge.”

Upon graduating, Nesha, like all CareerWork$ Medical and BankWork$ graduates, Nesha interviewed with local healthcare institutions looking to hire now. She completed four interviews with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, for a role as a Senior Administrative Assistant. “When I Interviewed at CHLA, I knew this was the right fit for me. My recruiter was so encouraging and welcoming. As I’ve gotten to know my supervisor, I have been so moved by the level of love and support she’s shown me. She helped support me when my daughter got COVID, she helped me find an apartment, and even sent me care packages when I was sick. Although my work atmosphere is mostly remote, we all take care of each other.” In her role as a Senior Administrative Assistant, Nesha’s main responsibilities are calendar management, scheduling travel plans for CHLA, and other administrative duties. In June 2022, she was promoted to Executive Assistant at CHLA.

“Sometimes I’ll have imposter syndrome, and feel like I don’t deserve this job, but I know I do. CareerWork$ helped show me that I am capable, smart, and deserving of success. This program taught me to chase what I want and that it’s not out of reach. I’ve always wanted to get into project management, and once I mentioned that to my supervisor, she’s helped me jump in on lots of new projects. To anyone who’s thinking about changing their career, seek out training. The application took less than five minutes to complete, and now I’m in a career where I can support my family —all it took was a leap of faith.”

Congratulations, Nesha, on your career growth and success, and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish next.

To learn more about CareerWork$ Medical and our partnership with JVS SoCal, click here. Their next class begins on October 17, 2022.