Career Support
Our Career Support program serves job seekers by providing holistic support, focusing on the whole person and partnering with them to translate their unique strengths, skills, and passions to work that generates energy and enough income to live comfortably in our region.
Using a strength-based and customized approach, Career Support clients can participate in a variety of professional development and career advancement activities, including professional workshops, career counseling, and coaching. Job seekers can also engage with our Career Support network, made up of other job seekers, A Wider Circle staff, and volunteers, all working in partnership to explore work-life solutions that align with each individual’s values and strengths.
Getting Started
To receive assistance, please call our main number (301-608-3504) and ask for Career Support. If we are unavailable, please leave a message with your contact information (including email if you use email). A Career Support team member will explain our services, talk to you about your needs, how we may best support you, and direct you to the appropriate next step.
Almost all of our services can be delivered in-person, over the phone, or virtually (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) based on your preference and convenience. You can access our services regardless of your career stage or experience and at no cost.
Individual Career Counseling
Career counseling is a partnership with the career counselor to explore your strengths and interests and develop a strategy that maximizes professional growth and career alignment. These one-on-one sessions offer a safe space to address areas related to career exploration, workplace trauma, facing a career transition, and maintaining work life balance.
Strength-Based Workshops
A cornerstone of the Career Support program is our four-part interactive workshop series, Worklife Wednesdays. On the first through fourth Wednesday of each month, job seekers, staff, and volunteers meet virtually to collaborate and discuss how to use each individual’s strengths to strategize an approach to job searching, networking, interviewing, and becoming more empowered on the career journey.
Our Worklife Wednesdays workshop series is a great entry point for any job seeker interested in engaging with all that the Career Support program has to offer. All are welcome to join — learn more and sign up here.
Specialized Workshops & Professional Networking
In addition to our core workshops, job seekers have the opportunity to gain knowledge and practical tools from volunteer subject matter experts. Workshop topics range from field-specific career insights to the inner work of building confidence, cultivating emotional intelligence, and processing stress and trauma. These workshops, along with professional networking opportunities, allow clients to meaningfully connect with fellow job seekers and people across our network to share information, expertise, and encouragement.
Coaching
Our one-of-a-kind coaching pilot will connect job seekers with certified professional coaches for pro bono coaching sessions. Clients who choose to partake in the pilot will have the opportunity to meet with different coaches before selecting the coach who they feel is the right fit for their individual goals. Job seekers and their selected coaches then commit to six one-hour coaching sessions and have the option to renew for additional sessions after this term is complete.
To sign up for or learn more about these services, contact our Career Support team at 301-608-3504 or careersupport@awidercircle.org.
Meet our Career Support team and learn more about the philosophy and principles behind our shift to this model.
Worklife Wednesdays
Career Development Workshop Series
Worklife Wednesdays is a four-part, interactive workshop series offered every 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesday of every month, focusing on using your unique strengths to strategize an approach to your job search, networking, interviewing, and becoming more empowered on the career journey.
These 90-minute workshops are designed to stimulate discussion and learn from career development professionals and expert volunteers from various professional backgrounds. The goal is to gain helpful tools and leave more confident and inspired to lead with your unique strengths.
In addition to the workshops, one-on-one career counseling and/or coaching is available, along with the opportunity to connect with our career services network, where you can meet other professionals across industries and work-life experiences.
Join us Wednesdays at 2:00 pm on Zoom!
First Wednesday
Strength-Based Job Search Strategy: Identifying work that blends your capacity and experience with what energizes you.
Second Wednesday
Strengths-Based Networking: Building networking skills and confidence that reflect your strengths and passion areas.
Third Wednesday
The Empowered Career Journey: The power of noticing and naming your emotions and tapping into your own voice and choice in the career journey.
Fourth Wednesday
Strength-Based Interviewing: How to showcase your strengths in action using the STAR Method of interviewing.
Our sessions are currently only delivered in English. However, we have slide presentations in Spanish that can be shared.
Questions about Worklife Wednesdays, or about our Career Support program? Contact our Career Support team at 301-608-3504 or careersupport@awidercircle.org.
Career Support FAQs
Career Support offers totally free career counseling, weekly group workshops, and coaching.
Through one-on-one counseling, workshops, and coaching, we can help you learn more about your strengths, grow your professional network, and make career, educational, and life decisions that align with your values and goals.
For resume, online job application, and resource referral assistance, schedule an appointment to meet with our Career Development Specialist, Cherie Mitchell.
For career counseling, click their name to schedule a session with Regina Robinson or Adam Albanese.
Alternatively, you can email or call us at 301-608-3504 to make an appointment. Most appointments are available within 2 business days.
There are no costs, qualifications, or eligibility criteria to attend counseling, coaching, or workshops. You do not need to provide any documentation to receive services.
Career counseling sessions are one-on-one conversations that focus on your career development. We can partner with you as you explore career options, make career choices, manage career changes, and create work life balance. We provide expertise and guidance, including support with resumes, interviewing, job searching, networking, and more.
Every Wednesday, we host virtual 90 minute workshops focused on strengths-based career development. Four topics rotate in the first four weeks of the month.
Those workshop topics are:
- Week 1: Strengths-Based Job Search Strategy
- Week 2: Strengths-Based Networking
- Week 3: Essentials to Work Life Balance
- Week 4: Strengths-Based Interviewing
You can sign up for those workshops here. You can join in any order for as many or as few as you wish.
We also host regular workshops on special topics, with invited guests, on a range of topics related to career development and work life balance. Details of upcoming events are sent in a weekly newsletter to those that wish to be in our Career Support Network.
Coaching is complementary to career counseling, and facilitates self-discovery and personal development. A coach will help you clarify your goals and values, identify the obstacles holding you back, and support you in your vision for both your personal and your professional life.
You can only be paired with a coach after identifying your specific support needs and goals through career counseling.
We provide services to anyone with an interest in developing and/or improving their approach to job search, interviewing, expanding their professional network, managing work life balance, and dealing with the experiences of the working world – regardless of career stage or experience. We regularly work with people who have been out of work for many months or years, and those who are looking to provide more stability to themselves or their families by making a career move.
Workshops, counseling, and coaching will typically take place during normal business hours, 9 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday. A full list of activities and workshops is listed on our monthly calendar, which is distributed weekly via email to clients who have joined our Career Support Network.
To find out more, and meet with our Career Support team, you can make an appointment via our online scheduling platform with Cherie, Adam, or Regina, through email, or by calling us at 301-608-3504.
Each group activity will either be in-person or virtual (which includes via Zoom or by phone).
Most in-person events are held at our offices:
- Center for Community Service: 9159 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
- Open by appointment Monday-Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.
- Ward 8 Hub: 400 Atlantic Street, SE Washington, DC 20032.
- Open by appointment and for walk-ins every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 9 am – 3 pm.
Yes! After meeting with a Career Counselor or attending a workshop, we can help you develop, review, and customize your resume. Resume support is best done once there is a clear understanding of what positions you will be applying for.
No. The Career Support team does not conduct direct job placement services. We can partner with you to prepare for your next employment opportunity by offering career counseling and/or coaching, job search assistance, mock interviewing, and networking opportunities.
No. We do not offer any computer training or technical skills training that leads to credentials or certifications. However, we are very aware of relevant programs to obtain industry credentials. Our team can provide referrals and information about the process of selecting a training program for those interested, including training programs that are government-funded for eligible persons.
The frequency of attendance and participation is determined by the individual needs of the client. There is no one size fits all approach. We meet you where you are and co-create a plan that works best for you.
Career Support is available on an as-needed basis; we do not limit the number of coaching sessions or workshops you can attend. You can always return to request additional services.
Career Support does not offer these kinds of assistance. However, A Wider Circle has in-house resource navigators who can help you find resources to meet your needs beyond your career.
If you need professional clothing for interviews or work, we offer free professional clothing appointments where you can select professional outfits that help you feel your best!
We also offer appointments to receive furniture items and/or baby items.
Long-term support is available through our Partnership to Independence (P2I) program.
Our Ward 8 Hub in Washington, D.C. offers regular programs on topics like health, financial planning, and wellness.
