TERRA Helped Me Turn My Education into a Career

By Jezabel Southard

Posted on April 3, 2015

In 2010, nearly 10% of Americans were unemployed. Brian Kiger was one of them.

Knowing that he needed to make himself a more standout and marketable candidate, he decided to expand his skill set and returned to college to pursue a second college degree.

When he was just a few semesters away from graduation, Brian’s friend and TERRA Recruiter, Stephanie Launius, recommended that he reach out to his nearest TERRA branch for help in finding opportunities to supplement his income and for help in finding a job in line with his degree.

Despite not having much success finding work through other employment agencies previously, Brian took Stephanie’s advice and met with Tacoma Staffing Manager, Barb Van Meter.

Barb quickly found a temporary opportunity for Brian. He did so well in the role that when a long-term, full-time opportunity became available at the organization the staff recommended that he go for it and apply.

He interviewed against an internal employee – AND GOT THE JOB!

Because of this, Brian was able to buy the house he had previously been renting!

We’re so happy to have been able to help find Brian a job that he loves and puts his degree to work! He is now an Instructional Designer, creating and revamping corporate trainings.

Read on to hear more about Brian’s experience with TERRA from Brian himself.

Tell us a little about you and your background.

I, like many, found myself out of work in 2010, despite having a college degree. I knew that expanding my marketable skill set was the key to getting back to work, so I spent three years earning my second bachelor’s degree – in Multimedia Design.  While in the last few semesters, I turned to TERRA for help in finding some opportunities that would allow me to put my degree to work.

How did you hear about TERRA?

I heard about TERRA through a friend who works as a recruiter. She suggested that I apply to help fill in the gaps of the dwindling seasonal work I was doing at the time.

How did your experience with TERRA compare to what you expected or experienced from other staffing firms?

I’d applied and interviewed with several other staffing firms over the years, but was never sent out on a job until TERRA.

Is there anyone specifically at TERRA you would like to thank?

Stephanie Launius and Barb Van Meter. Stephanie convinced me to come in and was my advocate once I got hired. Barb was the one who placed me in the job that turned into the full-time opportunity I have now. I wouldn’t be where I am now without either of them!

What else would you like us to know?

What I appreciate about TERRA was that they were never pushy about accepting assignments. They worked around my school/other jobs and gave me some great opportunities. Also, since they work with so many companies, they always had work close to home.

Thank you Brian for sharing your story and for letting us play a part in your success.

If you are a job seeker, or simply interested in learning more about TERRA, contact us today! We’re here to help!

Categories: Success Stories

Tags: career advice, employment agency, how to get a job, staffing agency, Success Story, tukwila

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