Roberta Duff
I don’t consider myself the “typical” New Choices candidate. I hold a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, and I was working towards a PhD. I worked for the federal government for 24 years, the latter 12 in human resources. I had the education, and I had full-time work. Had.
I was working in New Mexico in a high-stakes, high-stress job. I was managing, but I wasn’t happy. Eventually, I chose to leave my job and return to Pittsburgh to help my 93-year-old mother.
I arrived in Pittsburgh with no job and no prospects. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay in human resources or transition to a new career. One day, my mother saw an article about New Choices in the newspaper. She handed it to me and said, “You don’t have a job, you don’t have anywhere to be; go to this.” At 93, you don’t mince words.
I had a toolbox filled with my skills and experiences, but I needed to know how to use them. I wanted to know: How many different ways could I recreate myself? Which tools did I need to improve and which could I repurpose? New Choices helped me answer these questions. I learned about the private sector, I learned how I could transfer my skills to different careers, and I improved my computer skills.
I was working in New Mexico in a high-stakes, high-stress job. I was managing, but I wasn’t happy. Eventually, I chose to leave my job and return to Pittsburgh to help my 93-year-old mother.
I arrived in Pittsburgh with no job and no prospects. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay in human resources or transition to a new career. One day, my mother saw an article about New Choices in the newspaper. She handed it to me and said, “You don’t have a job, you don’t have anywhere to be; go to this.” At 93, you don’t mince words.
I had a toolbox filled with my skills and experiences, but I needed to know how to use them. I wanted to know: How many different ways could I recreate myself? Which tools did I need to improve and which could I repurpose? New Choices helped me answer these questions. I learned about the private sector, I learned how I could transfer my skills to different careers, and I improved my computer skills.
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Today, I work as an Administrative Services Assistant for the U.S. Attorney’s office. I am confident and I am happy. I thank PA Women Work for helping me make this change. I tell people: Time is like money: you can only spend it once, so spend it wisely. New Choices is the best investment women can make in themselves. It is time well spent.
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Roberta Duff received a 2014 Woman of Courage at Pennsylvania Women Work's Circle of Hope. Also awarded were Tamika Duck, Deana Keenan and Caprice Scott.
