The Right (WIOA) Support at the Right Time: Kristi is Back to Work and Thriving

Kristi had worked in IT purchasing for 13 years. At the beginning of 2025, she was laid off due to budget cuts. Like many people who lose a long-term job, she wasn’t sure where to turn next. Her degree was in IT Networking, but her day-to-day work experience hadn’t lined up with that field—and her background before IT had been in shipping, receiving, and warehouse work. She started applying on her own, but the rejections added up quickly.

“I started my own job search but was overwhelmed and felt alone,” Kristi recalled. “I just kept getting responses like ‘Thank you for your interest, but we went with another candidate.’”

That changed when Kristi visited the Jefferson County Job Center. The Wisconsin Job Service staff helped her set up a Job Center of Wisconsin account and connected her with the WorkSmart Network who provides services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I Dislocated Worker Program. Through WorkSmart Network, she was matched with Career Planner Rachel Stewart.

Rachel worked with Kristi to fine-tune her resume, pulling out the transferable skills she had built across IT purchasing and warehouse work. They also practiced interviews together, talking through how to present herself confidently and answer common questions. For Kristi, those sessions helped her feel more prepared—and less alone in the process.

“I started meeting with Rachel, and she helped me fine-tune my resume with my specific skills, talked me through a few mock interviews and was there for support,” Kristi said.

With that support behind her, Kristi landed a job. But after several months, she realized the position wasn’t the right fit for her. Rather than starting over on her own, she returned to the WorkSmart Network. Rachel was ready to help again. Together they revised her resume, revisited her job search strategy, and kept her focused on finding something that matched both her skills and her goals.

That persistence led her to Crystal Farms. Kristi connected with the company through a staffing service and was brought on as part of their warehouse staff. It wasn’t long before she transitioned to a full-time role.

“I eventually landed an interview for a great company close to where I live,” she said. “I am learning new things every day. I love that I get personal recognition for doing a good job there quite often, and mistakes are easily forgiven, corrected and used as a learning tool.”

For Kristi, the value of the program went beyond job placement. It gave her the confidence to keep going—even when things didn’t work out the first time.

“The WIOA Dislocated Worker program gave me the opportunity to pursue positions with more confidence, and they were there to support me through the process and beyond,” she said.

Kristi’s story reflects what the WIOA Dislocated Worker Program is designed to do. It’s not just about placing someone in any job—it’s about helping people find the right fit, with the preparation and support to succeed once they get there and beyond.

For employers like Crystal Farms, that also means gaining workers who are ready, motivated, and supported from day one.

If you have recently been laid off or displaced from your job, workforce services may be available to you at no cost. Visit your local American Job Center or contact the WorkSmart Network to learn more.