Career Transitions Center of Chicago helps clients help themselves

The Career Transitions Center (CTC) of Chicago states as its mission the empowerment of clients at a time when they are at their most vulnerable.

“CTC has been around 22 years, powering professionals to find meaningful employment,” Anita Jenke, the nonprofit organization’s executive director, told the West Loop News. “We work with recent college grads and mid-career professionals who are either unemployed, underemployed or unfulfilled.”

Founded in 1997 by the faith-based quintet of Chicago Temple (United Methodist), Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, Holy Name Cathedral (Roman Catholic), Old Saint Patrick's Church (Roman Catholic) and Saint Chrysostom Church (Episcopal), CTC is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that also provides “outplacement and customized training for incumbent workers.”

Career Transitions Center of Chicago Executive Director Anita Jenke | YouTube

A 14-year association with the group started when Jenke was a client in 2005, and she has been in her role of executive director for the last decade. Jenke says that she’s convinced that what the group provides may never have been in greater need than it is today.

“We find that most people that we see getting laid off do not get outplacement assistance,” Jenke said. “Our typical client has had the same job for five to 10 years, may not have a current resume or even be on LinkedIn. They’re just not sure how to find work in this new economy. They just don’t know how to get started.”

Enter CTC, which since opening its doors has worked with more than 10,000 job seekers across the state and currently counts about 75 clients in its 12-week subscription-service program that comes at a cost of $399. The organization boasts a team of about 50 volunteer professionals, all of whom have extensive human resources recruiting experience and outplacement executive search backgrounds, that regularly meet with clients. 

Like Jenke, all CTC staffers are former clients of the program.

“We try to hire folks who we feel can understand what it’s like to be unemployed,” Jenke said. “When you lose your job, you remember the disappointment, the sadness and uncertainty. I don’t think you ever forget that and it makes you more empathetic. Here at CTC, we’re not a counseling service, but we really do want you to feel like you have a partner and you’re not going through this by yourself. We strive for a non-judgmental atmosphere.”

Jenke says there is a lot of hard work to be done for clients of the program.

“A lot of times, we find that folks have not been using the most effective job search tactics,” she said. “Only 25 percent of resumes sent are seen by an actual person. That’s why now more than ever it’s so important to network. The job market and social contact between employer and employee has really changed a lot since the recession.”