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Community Futures Success Stories In 2002 Elizabeth Moore, Paralegal with the Haida Gwaii Legal Society for 5 years, was informed that BC Provincial Government was closing down and she, with her colleagues, would be laid off. Elizabeth, newly unemployed with a new baby, immediately started the daunting task of looking for work. Elizabeth says she even applied for a job that she knew she did not have the qualifications for although, she had relevant work experience, "I wanted to challenge myself, and let them know I was out there". The job search was a tough road despite being prepared with a job search workshop; updated resume and reference letters; and mock interview practice. There were times that Elizabeth felt discouraged by the rejection even for jobs that required lower skills than she possessed. Elizabeth persevered; shook off the rejection, asked for feedback from employers, and continued to apply for jobs. We would see her diligently writing her resume in the Career Development Centre Resource Room with her baby at her side. For Elizabeth, the greatest challenge was selling herself as the best person for the job, "it is not a cultural value to sell yourself …to prove you are better than someone else". Elizabeth joked that she needed someone to come in the interview and brag about herself. Elizabeth's attitude was "I will do anything…cut grass, clean toilets, answer phones…this was the longest I had been unemployed in my life". The hard work did eventually pay off and Elizabeth was successful in obtaining a variety of contract positions and on-call work. Elizabeth was receiving so many employment opportunities that she even had to turn down some jobs. Elizabeth was utilizing her skills and short-term work was evolving into long-term employment. This move from less full-time, full-year traditional work to increased part-time, temporary work demonstrates the overall shift in the labour market to 'Non-Standard Employment". A change in the 'world of work' that affects even Haida Gwaii. "I like the challenge in the direction I am going…helping others and reaching my educational goals". When asked to give advice, Elizabeth says there are people out there with as good or better skills than you. Be prepared and take risks. She recalls working in a cannery alongside a woman who had worked there for 50 years. Elizabeth didn't want to do that job and took another job at less pay. "I think about where I would be if I didn't take a risk. I now take every opportunity to sell myself". Elizabeth
is currently working as an Advocate for the Haida Gwaii Legal Project,
a Justice Coordinator for Haida Gwaii Restorative Justice, and an
Assistant Instructor for Northwest Community College. She is a mother
of 3 beautiful girls, and working on the final 6 credits of her
Bachelor of General Studies. If you see Elizabeth she is probably
running… as her persistence, skills, and education are working
for her. Terri Fonville of Masset is packing up in preparation for the next adventure of her life. She is off to the North Island College in Courtenay, B.C. to start full-time studies in September 2003. "I am scared and can't wait all at the same time!" says Terri. This is a huge change in her life but one that she is embracing. Terri currently works on a casual basis at the Masset Government Liquor Store and at the Northern Health Authority. With the announcement of impending privatization of Provincially-operated liquor stores and the upcoming closure of Rivtow, her husband's employer for the past 27 years, Terri started to look seriously at her future and her employment options. "I quit school in Grade 11 and have been waiting for years to go back. Now is the time". Terri's interest has been in bookkeeping and she is pursuing a Business Administration Diploma. She will spend a year upgrading her Math and English then will start the next 2 years of her education plan. Terri's determination is unrelenting, "I will succeed!" she proclaims, committed wholeheartedly to doing the hard work that is required despite the tingling of nervousness. Terri has spent months preparing: exploring her goals and education programs, assessing her personal and academic resources, and successfully applying for HRDC sponsorship. Terri
has taken the biggest step towards fulfilling her aspirations -
deciding to do it. While Terri says she will succeed, we at Haida
Gwaii Community Futures Career Development Centre know that she
already has! We wish you continued success, Terri.
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