Across the state, grads are supervising fellow Climb moms who are new to the workforce, like Kyndal (left) and Melissa (right) at CPA Group of Laramie. Kaitlyn (left) manages Jessica (right) at Spring Wind Assisted Living.

When Melissa, an office manager for CPA Group of Laramie, had an opening for an administrative assistant, she knew better than most supervisors the skills that a Climb graduate would bring to the job. That’s because she herself completed Climb back in 2011.

“It was exciting to think about helping somebody in a place in life where I once was,” says Melissa, who brought on recent graduate Kyndal for the position and now serves as her supervisor.

“I know how intimidating it is being a single mom and going into a professional work environment for the first time,” Melissa says. “It’s easy to put myself in her shoes. I know because I’ve been there.”

“It’s rewarding to be a part of this adventure with another Climb grad. It’s like, put your seatbelt on, we’re excelling together.”

-Melissa

Nearby, at Laramie’s Spring Wind Assisted Living, a 2012 Climb graduate is in a similar supervisory role. Kaitlyn manages scheduling and training for 40 CNAs at the facility, including Jessica, who has worked there since her Climb job placement two years ago. “There’s a lot of common ground,” says Kaitlyn of their instant bond. “There’s also no tension; we learned to communicate effectively at Climb.”

As mentors and supervisors, Kaitlyn and Melissa know the enormous pride and sense of achievement that comes with overcoming obstacles to reach success. “It’s rewarding to be a part of this adventure with another Climb grad,” Melissa says. “It’s like, put your seatbelt on, we’re excelling together.”