Read about Minnesotans working in aging services, disability services and behavioral health services. Learn about their career paths and why they followed their heart to a caring career.
View their inspiring stories below!
Have a Caring Career story you'd like to share? Please send it to CareerForce@state.mn.us with Caring Career in the subject line.
Rita works as Nursing Assistant at a nursing home while pursuing dream to become RN
A single mother who hadn't had sustainable, structured employment since age 16, Rita came to Otter Tail County's Empowered Worker program looking for a fresh start. Thanks to her dedication and support provided through a Drive for 5 grant, Rita was successful in her studies to become a Nursing Assistant. In March 2025, Rita passed the test to become a CNA and in April she began work at a nursing home in Perham. Rita is intent on advancing her nursing career and is enrolled at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Wadena to pursue her Registered Nursing (RN) license. Read Rita's inspiring story.
Emma moves from Nursing Assistant to RN with Drive for 5 funded training
Emma has achieved a major milestone on her caring career journey thanks to program funded by a Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Drive for 5 grant. This unique program allowed Emma to “learn while she earned” to complete her nursing degree at Anoka-Ramsey Community College and successfully pass an exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN). She now works on a medical surgical unit at a Twin Cities area hospital.
Andu is so dedicated to his important work that he has not one but two full time jobs, one as a Nursing Assistant and one as a Trained Medication Assistant, both in senior care.
Andu arrived from Ethiopia a few years ago and enrolled in health care and English language classes at the International Institute of Minnesota. One measure of his dedication: He biked to classes during the dead of winter.
Like many International Institute students who become nursing assistants, Andu stated that his main motivation to become a CNA was that he likes “to help elderly people”. Read more about Andu.
Megan earned her Minnesota Nursing Assistant Certificate thanks to Leading CareerForce partner
Leading CareerForce partner Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council Megan encouraged her to attend a Nursing Assistant Career Pathway course while she was a high school junior. Thanks to her hard work and dedication, plus support from SWPIC, Megan successfully earned her Minnesota Nursing Assistant certificate and was hired immediately as a Certified Nursing Assistant at a nursing home in her hometown. Read more about Megan's story.
Jill’s caregiving helps people with disabilities continue to live and work in their communities and has led to strong relationships she treasures.
“I am currently working as a Direct Support Professional – going on 21 years! It is hard work but rewarding knowing you are helping someone to remain in their home instead of going to a nursing home,” said Jill “The family of the person I assist considers me part of their family.”
Jill got a start in the profession at age 17 working at the Faribault Regional Center in 1979 and never left the Direct Support Professional career path, although she has added other roles to it. Read Jill's full story.
Maria gets on track for health care career thanks to Leading CareerForce partner
Maria grew up in Willmar and wanted to work in health care but didn’t know now to navigate postsecondary education because she is the first person in her family to go to college. Leading CareerForce partner Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services (CMJTS) offered Maria the help she needed to follow her dreams. Find out more about Maria's story.
Ben loves his job in senior care – he's having fun while getting great work experience
“I would definitely recommend this job, it’s a good job for life experience, it’s a good job for conversations – I’ve never been bored for sure.”
That’s how Ben describes his work at New Perspective Senior Living in Roseville, where he works in the dining department. He takes food orders, delivers meals to senior residents and checks in to see how they are doing. He started there along with several of his friends last summer, when he was 15. One of his friends started working there first, and then Ben and three other friends quickly joined him. Read Ben's full story.
Summer jumped at the opportunity to take Nursing Assistant Training during high school
Summer has known since she was little that she wanted to work in the medical field – and make a difference in the lives of others. Find out how Nursing Assistant training during high school is helping her get a jump start on a career in health care. Read Summer's story.
Serving as a PCA while in college is preparing Aubrey for a health care career – and so much more.
Aubrey is 22 years old and a Student at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She is glad she followed her heart to a Caring Career because she gets to build a unique independent relationships while learning unparalleled skills like empathy and respectfulness with the person you care for. Aubrey says working as a PCA is truly an experience that teaches medical workplace expertise along with prowess to shape who you are and how you interact with others in the real world. Read Aubrey's story.
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