CEO participants attend classes and workshops such as resume writing, job-search tools, financial literacy and more.
and spent time outdoors, and she liked knowing what tasks she was expected to do. “The site supervisors gave me really great guidance,” she says, and getting recognition and feedback helped her regain her confidence and become reacquainted with herself as a hard worker. In the workshops, she picked up cognitive behavior tips, identified her values and priorities and learned to recognize risky behavior. When the opportunity came, she filled out an application for the Emerging Leaders Program and went through the interview process. “[But] I didn’t get it the first time. I wasn’t there yet; I didn’t have the skills,” she recalls. She was accepted on her second attempt. “Finding out I got the opportunity was the best feeling. It opened so many doors and avenues of learning,” she says. “It felt like bootcamp for being a great employee and part of a team.” Today, her responsibilities include speaking to people before they start the program to make sure they have the proper documentation and know what to expect, helping to lead the three-day orientation and guiding participants through filling out paperwork. She also runs workshops in topics such as professionalism in the workplace and how to make a budget. “CEO gives people the opportunity to set goals and then be able to attain them in a way that really builds goal-
setting behavior and makes an impact on someone’s life,” she says. Seeing others learn, grow and become successful, and being part of their journey is heartwarming for those who are now giving back. “I’m a strong
believer in second chances,” says Aguilar. And she and her peers know firsthand how meaningful they can be. g
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