‘I feel at home here:’ Ignatian Volunteer Corps Member Provides Career Coaching to NA/HHA Students

“When I die and meet my maker, I expect to have a short conversation in which He is going to say, ‘I gave you a lot of blessings. Now what did you do with them?’ I want to have a real good answer.”

 

In his current role at Catholic Charities Boston, Ignatian Volunteer Corps member Jonathan Braley coaches students enrolled in the agency’s Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide (NA/HHA) program on preparing for interviews and entering the workforce. Through his group and one-on-one interactions, Jon teaches his students the subtle art of weaving their life experiences into a positive and compelling story that is both honest and true––a skill he says is fundamental to any successful interview.  

Jon’s dedication to service is preparation for what he believes is the most important interview question he will eventually be asked: “When I die and meet my maker, I expect to have a short conversation in which He is going to say, ‘I gave you a lot of blessings. Now what did you do with them?’” said Jon. “I want to have a real good answer.” 

A member of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps for six years, Jon said he is deeply grateful for the many opportunities he has had to serve those in need and deepen his faith. Prior to starting at Catholic Charities Boston in February, Jon served as an employment coach for the New England Culinary Arts Training (NECAT), where he worked alongside and mentored a diverse population of clients including individuals who were experiencing homelessness, recovering from substance abuse, formerly incarcerated, or struggling to overcome generational poverty. Regardless of their background, Jon’s goal with each client was to help them recognize that they have already demonstrated positive life skills which are transferable to the workplace. He then guided them to construct a more positive, real, and honest life narrative. 

Today, Jon harnesses the experience and knowledge he gained at NECAT into his work at Catholic Charities, where responsibilities range from offering brief tutorials during class on navigating the job search, meeting with students individually to help them identify their career goals, and conducting a mock interview with each student before they graduate, teaching them how to best represent themselves to prospective employers.  

“Of all the things you could talk about during an interview, you have to choose which thing you are going to talk about, and then ensure that your narrative is honest and true,” said Jon. “You have to be ready to tell a high-level story about yourself and back it up with examples. I tell my students you know you had a good interview if it felt like a good conversation.”  

Jon says he is incredibly grateful for the meaningful conversations he has had with the hardworking Catholic Charities students he works with – the majority of whom are immigrants, eager to enter the workforce.  

As much as they are learning from him, Jon says he too is learning––from the students he coaches as well as from the dedicated team of teachers and staff he works with every week. 

“It’s nice to be at an organization where the common thread is that people are here to help their brothers in need,” said Jon. “There are many people at Catholic Charities who I may never meet, but I know we have something in common. I feel at home here.”  

Click here to find out how about volunteer opportunities at Catholic Charities Boston or visit our Ways to Give page to explore other ways to give back.