Courtney Richardson

About Courtney Richardson

a bulk of my experience is in managing a shipping and receiving department of 2 part-time employees, with the support of 2 student workers, achieving goals for Malcolm X College (one of the City Colleges of Chicago). i viewed my experiences in the workplace there as formative, with a sense of family- a training ground to learn and sharpen the soft skills needed in life. concurrently, i began to venture into entrepreneurship, with a fierce passion. my brother and i built a recording studio from nothing, into the studio i\'d heard him dream of in our freshman year in college. we ran that business, successfully, from mid-2013 to November 1st of 2022. i work hard to show up in all spaces as my authentic self. skilled in using the complete suite of Microsoft Office, PeopleSoft, and SalesForce as well as inventory management software. extremely competent in the use of Logic, ProTools, and FL Studio for Audio Engineering. entrepreneurship honed project management skills as well; versed with motion, asana, and other project management software. demonstrated a history of working in shipping, receiving, and asset management for a post-secondary educational facility. A+ certification obtained in 2004, able to do moderate to advanced hardware and software troubleshooting.

Experience

1. Workforce Development Specialist

   Growing Home Inc

   Jun 2023 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   As an Employment Specialist at Growing Home, I am responsible for a wide range of functions aimed at fostering employment opportunities and supporting job retention for program participants. I establish and maintain strong relationships with employers, placement agencies, and temporary agencies to ensure a consistent flow of job leads. Through presentations and outreach efforts, I promote Growing Home\'s workforce development programs and secure new employment opportunities for program participants and graduates in the Chicagoland area. I proactively identify suitable job opportunities that align with the interests, skills, and experience of participants, engaging in employer networking, cold calls, and online research. Coordinating with participants and employers, I schedule interviews and provide follow-up support. Additionally, I develop and implement strategies to enhance job retention, including regular check-ins with job holders, assistance with emergency support services, and support for hiring managers in addressing on-the-job issues. In collaboration with my team, I organize engagement events for program participants, graduates, and employer partners. On the administrative front, I meticulously track and enter data in the CRM system, ensure compliance with programmatic standards, and maintain accurate reports and documentation. By utilizing a team approach and actively seeking professional development opportunities, I continuously enhance my skills to serve the needs of program participants and positively contribute to Growing Home\'s mission.

Education

• Columbia College Chicago

  Contemporary Urban and Popular Music

  2011

• Northwestern University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Communication and Media Studies

• City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College

  Associate of Arts - AA, General Studies