Success Story: James Sessions, Prudential

In April 2009 I graduated from Rowan University, with a degree in Business Marketing, but found it hard to find a job upon graduation. To make ends meet I started working in door-to-door tech sales and held a sales manager role at a local fitness center. By the end of 2009, I signed up for an additional three years with the NJ Army National Guard and continued to work wherever I could find it.       

Even though I was discouraged, I never stopped looking for an opportunity or leveraging my network. During my second term in the NJ Army National Guard, I asked my First Sergeant if he knew of any career fairs or opportunities. He recalled receiving an email from the Tip of the Arrow Foundation that was working with Workforce Opportunity Services (WOS) to help Veterans transition into the workforce.

I contacted Tip of the Arrow and they helped me understand what to expect when applying to the WOS program. On my first day, I remember seeing a room full of people, and we were told that we needed to take a few tests to be selected. After a few of these sessions 30 people or so were picked to move on with WOS, and I remember being relieved that my name was called. 

WOS’ approach is truly unique: their process sets forth a crawl, walk, run approach that hits close to home for many of us veterans. The first part of the program included taking classes in project management, written and verbal communications and coding. After a few months I started working at Prudential part-time as a WOS consultant, and eventually, after a few more months I graduated from WOS' certification and was a full-time WOS consultant. Throughout the entire process, WOS was teaching, guiding and mentoring me to ensure my success.

Every stage of the program brought different expectations, settings and outcomes and, with it, a range of emotions. We were eager and curious during the academic phase, because we wanted to get started, but still had so much to learn. We were excited and very motivated in the second phase as we started our new positions, and by the third phase, we were nervous but determined. I was part of a pilot group, and we had no idea what the outcome would be. In hindsight, it couldn’t have ended up much better than it did.           

When I transitioned to full-time in June 2011, I started out in Annuities Information Technology doing quality assurance and in 2012 was hired as an employee as a Sr. Associate. The following year I moved to the Global Business Technology Solutions (GBTS) team where I am now a Sr. Specialist, I.T. Relationship Management. Since my move to GBTS five years ago I’ve been promoted twice, and I think that alone speaks volumes about my performance and dedication. WOS laid the foundation for me to build on and for that, I am truly grateful. 

My biggest piece of advice is to trust the process. I will never forget these words that Dr. Art Langer, WOS Founder, said, “in order to make it here, all you have to do is show up on time and do the work.” I agree with Dr. Langer, but would add be eager to learn: we have an infinite amount of information at our fingertips. If we put forth the effort to access it, we can then gain the knowledge we need to elevate our careers.