Joseph Michael Rodriquez, Sr.

Before coming to NOVA, I struggled. My first job didn’t last long because I had no training and no real experience. I felt unprepared and lost. For someone who had spent time in the juvenile system and carried that weight into adulthood, I honestly thought opportunities like these weren’t even meant for me.

After losing that job, I questioned whether I could ever hold steady employment. I knew I needed to change, but without guidance, I wasn’t sure where to start. I worried that any new job I found would only last 30 days before I was back at square one.

That’s when I found NOVA. Their training gave me more than just skills — it gave me a new mindset. They were real with me, telling me not just the good but also the challenges I’d face on the job. NOVA taught me what employers expect, how to handle both positive and tough situations, and how to carry myself with professionalism.

Once I started applying what I learned in the Essential Skills Training, everything began to change. I showed up differently, handled challenges better, and gained the confidence to grow. Since then, I’ve been steadily moving forward — moving up, as I like to say, “just like the Jeffersons.”

Today, I’m not only holding down a job — I’m building a career. The training and support from NOVA gave me the tools to succeed, and now I’m on a path of stability and growth I never thought possible.

Without NOVA, I don’t believe I would be where I am today. Their guidance has made a positive difference not just in my work, but in my entire life.

I am Joseph Michael Rodriquez, Sr., a proud NOVA participant and product finisher.