Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement & Techquity: Employ Milwaukee's BankWork$
Mary's career journey began with a free computer.
“A few years ago, I came to a United Way Techquity event and was able to get a free laptop,” said Mary. “I never had a computer before, but I realized I can’t keep doing everything on my phone.”
After years of working in a variety of industries, Mary wanted to dedicate some time discovering a career path for herself.
Using her new laptop, she dove into online research and discovered BankWork$, a program at Employ Milwaukee. BankWork$ is an occupational skill development program supported by United Way. The program provides eight weeks of retail banking career training.
“I used the computer for classes, for my schoolwork, for everything,” said Mary. “It was suddenly an essential in my life.”
After graduating from BankWork$, Mary quickly interviewed and was hired in the banking industry. Today she is an associate banker at BMO.
“I love my customers. I love my job. I love BMO. The whole experience, from Techquity to BankWork$ to BMO, changed my life.”
