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George Colón
George Colón
01:11

George Colón

SFMade

Sunnyvale, CA USA

"Don’t be so hard on yourself and take the help that’s offered."

Career Roadmap

George's work combines: Business, Non-Profit Organizations, and Helping People

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Day In The Life

Director of Workforce & Youth Programs

I connect local workforce organizations to manufacturing employers throughout the California Bay Area.

02:52

Day In The Life Of A Director Of Workforce And Youth Programs

My Day to Day

I direct our two main program, and support my colleagues in their work associated with these efforts. I assist employer partners with with workforce needs, as well as HR support and general supportive services. I work with local workforce partners to support their programs and program participants, bringing attention to their work so that employer partners are aware of their services and value.

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life took a while to figure out

  • 1.

    I was emancipated at 16 years old.

  • 2.

    I started my career in tech, working at various start-ups in customer service-oriented roles.

  • 3.

    I spent 17 years in the tech industry and as I gained more experience, I became more and more disenchanted with the way employers operated internally.

  • 4.

    Once I left the tech industry, I looked for opportunities to help people through either the city, county, state, or nonprofit sector.

  • 5.

    I found that the nonprofit sector had the best entry points for me, so I reached out for opportunities.

  • 6.

    I started in workforce development as a job developer for the Center for Employment Opportunities, where I served reentry job seekers.

  • 7.

    After a couple of years with the Center for Employment Opportunities, I joined SFMade as the director of workforce and youth programs.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Society in general:

    You have to have your career path all figured out.

  • How I responded:

    The idea that there's something wrong with not having your career all planned out is outrageous. Especially when we're young, we need to explore our options. We need to better understand ourselves and have the opportunity to do that.

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