Meet Tess Cournoyer: December/January Client of the Month
“Meet Tess Cournoyer our Client of the Month! When Tess started YOTR, they had very little certainty about the type of career they wanted, however they told me: “If I could find something where I take items and give them a second life and purpose, I would be the happiest person on earth”. Throughout their time in YOTR, Tess proved themselves to be highly conscientious, observant, and dedicated; going above and beyond frequently throughout the seven weeks to deliver high quality work and support the other cohort members in their goals through skill trading.
It was serendipity that brought Friperie Notre-Dame into the YOTR orbit just at the time they were looking for a Production Assistant. The job description read: “We are seeking someone who is passionate, dedicated, and interested in sustainability. Someone who is creative, willing to get their hands dirty, and who wants to help us give new life to donated items”. It was a match made in Heaven, and they had a “perfect” work placement from start to finish. I am incredibly proud of Tess for the work they have done, which recently landed them a promotion to Store Manager at the store’s soon-to-be-opened second location!” (Jiselle Pinheiro-Dallaire, Project Manager, Youth on the Rise)
Career Beginnings: From Retail and Barista Roles to Sustainable Ambitions
YES: When did you start your employment journey and what were some of your goals when you started?
Tess: I have been working part-time throughout college in retail and as a barista with the intention that this was simply a placeholder and that I would get a quote “real job” once I graduated. I was open-minded when it came to what that career would be, I simply wanted something that would fulfill a sense of creativity and curiosity and align with my values. In hindsight, it was a rather directionless ambition. Working with YES and its Youth On The Rise program helped fill in the gaps and clarify what it was I was seeking out of a career.
Achievements: Assistant Manager at Friperie Notre-Dame
YES: What stage are you at now? What have been your greatest achievements?
Tess: I am now working as an assistant manager at Friperie Notre-Dame, a thirftstore located in Lachine. It’s an electrifying work environment, as every day comes with new discoveries. Sustainability has always been very important to me, and it has been illuminating to see firsthand the volume of stuff that accumulates to the point it needs to be disposed of and redistributed. I feel proud to know I am serving a need in the community and mitigating the environmental impact by contributing to a space that allows objects to circulate into a second life instead of wasting away in a landfill.
Overcoming Challenges: Adapting to Life in a New City During COVID
YES: What were/are your biggest struggles?
Tess: Eager to start something new, I had spontaneously decided to move to Montreal in 2021 during the period where COVID was still teeter-tottering between lockdowns. I had vastly underestimated the difficulty of readjusting to being in public after quarantine along with acclimatizing to the culture of a new city. The experience was overwhelming, and the more time I spent unemployed, the more difficult it felt to crawl out of an isolating mindset. I wanted to start my career with something exciting, but the timing could not have been worse.
Finding Clarity with YES: The Youth On The Rise Experience
YES: What was the problem you were experiencing before you came into YES?
Tess: This period of isolation and the sense of shame and financial strain that accompanied the lack of momentum greatly impacted my confidence during this time. I was approaching my job search in a rushed and panicked state, too anxious to approach the process in the precise and coordinated manner needed for success. I was denying myself the joys of getting to explore a new city and find opportunity within because I was so focused on the bare bones essential of finding work in a way that was motivated only by stress.
The Impact of YES Services on Tess’s Journey
YES: What did you find as a result of using our services? What was the best thing about it?
Tess: YES was indispensable in providing the support and solidarity that I was not alone in navigating the labyrinth of the job market. It came down to learning the essentials of key language, social codes and conducts, proper formatting of CVs and cover letters — things that did not always come intuitively yet were the literal gateway. After spending so long spinning in circles, it was a great relief to be provided with a firm sense of direction and a precise set of steps of how to move forward. Through their guidance, I was able to confront a lot of the biases I had about the workforce that had been holding me back, such as undervaluing soft skills and reserving passion, when the exact opposite is what makes an impact.
Words of Advice: The Power of Solidarity in Career Building
YES: How do you feel about the service you have received from YES?
Tess: I was very satisfied with my experience and have been recommending the services to everyone I know who has been struggling in a situation similar to mine. Uncertainty is often the most debilitating part of making new life decisions, and the best way to combat that is with information. Being able to acutely identify your skills, your goals, and your qualities allows you to reproach the work world with a greater sense of confidence and a firm idea of what you want and a concrete battle plan of how to get there.
YES: Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share?
Tess: More than anything, solidarity is key. The work culture is constantly evolving and we can play a part in the direction of that evolution. Demanding better for yourself and of yourself inspires others to do the same. We have everything to gain by supporting one another.
For more information about our Youth On the Rise Program, click here.
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