Photo Credit: Chris Bennett

40 Stories for 40 Years – Profilee 29

As a woman with a STEM degree, Rachel was highly qualified for a career in Environmental Science. Still, she faced a competitive and discouraging job search in 2011. “When I came to NVME (then Women, Work, and Community) I knew I needed a new approach to my search. My advice to anyone in a similar position is to be open-minded and patient.”

Rachel’s first NVME class was Creating Your Future. That class and then Moving Through Fear energized her to continue applying for positions. They also increased her confidence and leadership skills. As a result, Rachel started volunteering for causes she cares about.

Rachel returned to NVME in 2013 for My Money Works. She says MMW made her feel “less frantic” about paying down her debt. She realized “life changes, we need to be aware of that, and to prepare.” She left feeling in control of her money. Rachel later enjoyed attending Your Money Personality, which supported her on further developing her skills.

Today Rachel is Project Manager at Woods End Labs. She is a member of Maine Dems Finance Committee and Vice Chair of Kennebec County Democratic Committee. Rachel also serves on the Program Committee for Emerge Maine, which trains Maine women to run for office. She says working on these teams “makes me feel like I am part of something larger.”

The payoff for all this hard work? For Rachel, this includes “having a sense of purpose and monetary reward.” As she reflects on her decision to come to NVME, Rachel says, “It’s what I needed in my life at that time. I would do it over again.”