“Nothing is guaranteed. Anything is possible.”
Not many people are as determined as Juan Rodriguez, 29, who turned his life around by diligently believing in his favorite mantra. In his early twenties, Rodriguez struggled with alcoholism and financial instability, but as he started his road to recovery, he realized he needed to make a change.
Around that time, in 2012, Rodriguez learned of Workforce Opportunity Services (WOS). “I was at drill one weekend, and Sgt. Michael Matolchi [a WOS alum] spoke to the platoon about this nonprofit organization that helps veterans with job placement in the corporate world,” he says. “I couldn’t believe that there was an organization out there that would try this hard to assist veterans.” Despite knowing the program was competitive, Rodriguez wasn’t deterred. “I was a born competitor. I felt like this was my calling.”
So, Rodriguez participated in the two-week interviews for his first veteran Cohort. “Talk about competitive. There were at least 90 people in attendance,” he remembers. “I knew I had to make an impression.” Yet several weeks later, Rodriguez heard he was not selected. “It was a crushing blow to my morale,” he shares. “Then I remembered: Nothing is guaranteed. Anything is possible. I told myself, ‘It just was not meant to be right now. Do not give up. Keep on fighting.’”
Six months later, Rodriguez tried out for the next veteran Cohort, but again, he didn’t make the cut. Another six months passed, and he decided to give it one more chance. This time, he nailed it.
“WOS Client Service Manager Valerie Echols called me and told me the great news that I was selected and that the program loved my determination and drive to keep trying. Valerie would always tell me in our one-on-ones that I was a success story and I should never quit,” he says. “She said if I wanted to have a better outlook and response from life, I would have to learn to see it in a better light. I would like to say thank you to Valerie for believing in me and showing me that the way you perceive your surroundings can have an impact on your personal and professional life.”
Rodriguez began his academic training with WOS in March 2014, and in May 2015, he was hired by a NJ health service corporation as an IT Security Engineer. After three years of honing his skills and dedication, as of August 2018 he has accepted a new position at Realogy Holdings Corp. as Threat and Vulnerability Analyst.
“I was able to look for new employment, not because I needed to because of finances or bills but just because I can,” Rodriguez says. “WOS has blessed me with the opportunity to work in an industry that is always growing, and I was able to take this opportunity and turn it into more opportunities.”
Since joining WOS and finding gainful employment, Rodriguez has cut his debt in half and developed financial literacy, and he successfully manages his bills. Beyond solid financial ground, he has secured a future that, before WOS, he never imagined for himself. “I have been able to see the world in a different light and realize that the goals in life that I want to achieve are not so far-fetched after all.”