Career Ministry of Saint Catherine of Siena Church

Caroline. This lady will tell you that she has little to do with your success should you find it from the resources available at the meetings that she facilitates.

Allow me to tell you differently. From April until June, I was a job seeker. While reading the newspaper, I saw an ad for a networking group that meets near my home. I called the number advertised, and Caroline answered.

Caroline told me that I had thereby made the first step toward a new job. She convinced me that I wasn't just going to look for a job, I was going to find the right job. The job I was prepared for, trained to do, and would enjoy.

She told me of the power of networking. It sounded like group therapy, but I was willing to try anything. That night (Thursday) I attended my first meeting.

Caroline stood in front of the group and introduced the topic of the night. Before we did anything else, Caroline asked for a volunteer to pray. This is, after all, a meeting hosted in a church. She said that some of us may not have faith or believe in God, but without Him she didn't "know how you put one foot in front of the other."

What she showed me at that moment was that alone, I may not achieve my goals, but with faith, perseverance, and teamwork, I will. Not might. Will.

This network of professionals soon became a network of friends. Together we learned how to use tools and resources that I never knew existed. The team of volunteers were an abundant resource of knowledge, help and support.

Within four weeks, I had networked my way into a higher paying better job than I expected.

The key experience I drew from St. Catherine's is the loss of feeling alone. We are never alone when we have friends like those I met in those meetings.

Thank you, Caroline, for answering the phone that day. Your calm, soft, positive voice let me know that I was truly going to be alright.

You can visit the group on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 6:30 pm. The church is located at 1618 Ben King Rd in Kennesaw.

Visit their web site at http://www.scsjobs.com/