Tamika Duck
Prior to starting New Choices I was a work-from-home mom supporting my two young children, Tamya and Trevell. I had two degrees, including a Master’s in Sports Management, but I was recently divorced and could no longer justify the long hours my position required. I knew I needed to make a career transition, but I didn’t know how to identify my options.
I attended a job fair sponsored by PNC Bank and while there, I saw the flyer for New Choices. This program has made a big difference in my life! Through the classes, I received a lot of support and inspiration from both the instructor and my classmates. I am still in touch with many of them today. New Choices helped me identify healthcare as a field in which I had interest, transferable skills, and the ability to work a schedule that would let me balance earning a paycheck with caring for my children.
Upon graduating from New Choices, I enrolled in the Goodwill Employment Training Center’s Healthcare Office Skills program to learn medical terminology, patient billing, and to strengthen my typing skills. I also enrolled in PA Women Work’s 3 Cups of Coffee®. Networking through this mentorship program helped me to obtain my current full-time position as an Ancillary Coordinator for UPMC Health Plan.
The support I received through PA Women Work helped me make not only a great career transition, but a personal transformation as well.
I attended a job fair sponsored by PNC Bank and while there, I saw the flyer for New Choices. This program has made a big difference in my life! Through the classes, I received a lot of support and inspiration from both the instructor and my classmates. I am still in touch with many of them today. New Choices helped me identify healthcare as a field in which I had interest, transferable skills, and the ability to work a schedule that would let me balance earning a paycheck with caring for my children.
Upon graduating from New Choices, I enrolled in the Goodwill Employment Training Center’s Healthcare Office Skills program to learn medical terminology, patient billing, and to strengthen my typing skills. I also enrolled in PA Women Work’s 3 Cups of Coffee®. Networking through this mentorship program helped me to obtain my current full-time position as an Ancillary Coordinator for UPMC Health Plan.
The support I received through PA Women Work helped me make not only a great career transition, but a personal transformation as well.
Tamika Duck received a 2014 Woman of Courage at Pennsylvania Women Work's Circle of Hope. Also awarded were Roberta Duff, Deana Keenan and Caprice Scott.
