Melinda White can tell you how it felt to "hit rock bottom."

Melinda, of Jackson, dropped out of school in the 10th grade. Occasional babysitting jobs had brought in little money in the years since. By late January this year, Melinda was an 18-year-old with no real job prospects and an uncertain future. Tired of uncertainty and disappointment, Melinda resolved to change her life.

"I was broke, so I had to do something," she said. "I don't like living off anybody else."

Thanks to three weeks of intensive training from the innovative Success N-Sight program-and her determination to succeed-Melinda has made the change. Today, Melinda has a full-time job as a receptionist and file clerk in a doctor's office and recently earned her GED.

Success N-Sight is a free three-week workshop for 18- to 21-year-olds that delivers a quick boost into the job market through training in key job-search and workplace skills. It is a component of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Program administered by the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) and provided by the Middle Kentucky River Area Development Council (Middle Kentucky River ADC).

On a busy day at Dr. Melecio Abordo Jr.'s Family Medical Clinic in Jackson, Melinda has little time to pause and reflect on what she has gone through. Melinda calls the patients to the examining rooms for their appointments, handles a steady succession of phone calls and jots down a stream of notes. Melinda is the first point of contact for Dr. Abordo's patients and said she enjoys that role, even when the pace gets hectic.

"I really like dealing with the people," she said.

Melinda credits Success N-Sight with giving her the confidence and communication skills she needs to handle constant contact with patients, coworkers, and various medical professionals. Those people see very few traces of the shy, high school dropout who first inquired about Success N-Sight just four months earlier.

Melinda was directed to Success N-Sight by her aunt, who had heard about the program and suggested she check into it. Melinda contacted Success N-Sight in late January and began the three-week workshop in February. Her initial goal was to earn a GED in order to break out of the cycle of low-paying jobs where she was stuck.

One of the services Success N-Sight provides is to connect participants with GED training resources and help them get scheduled to take the exam, explained Sheriann Spencer, WIA counselor coordinator for Middle Kentucky River ADC. While waiting to take the GED exam, Melinda worked hard at the Success N-Sight curriculum-receiving high ratings on all her performance appraisals-and took practice tests that helped her prepare for the real exam, Spencer said.

Success N-Sight helped Melinda polish her resume and cover letter, learn how to fill out job applications, and hone her job-interviewing skills through several rounds of mock interviews. The training helped Melinda develop the aptitude and attitude to succeed in her search for a better job, Spencer says.

One key component that Success N-Sight offers participants is the opportunity to "shadow" professionals at their place of business. Shadowing helps participants better understand the duties and routines of the workplace and determine what kind of work suits them best.

Melinda was placed in Dr. Abordo's office for job shadowing. She quickly learned that the training she got through Success N-Sight-especially her training in office-related computer programs-enabled her to handle the duties of a receptionist and file clerk.

Melinda exceeded all expectations during her job shadowing assignment, Spencer said. In fact, when the Success N-Sight workshop concluded Dr. Abordo decided to keep her on his staff through the WIA Work Experience program. Melinda's participation in that six-week program was extended for four additional weeks when a full-time position became open. When that four-week period ended, Dr. Abordo hired Melinda on as a full-time employee.

Although she was very happy with her job, Melinda didn't give up her goal of earning a GED. She took the test in early June, and learned on June 17 she had passed and earned her degree. Spencer said she is confident Melinda now can pursue any other career goals she might have.

Spencer said the fact that Dr. Abordo hired Melinda even before she earned her GED is a testament to his faith in her abilities and his trust of the Success N-Sight and WIA programs.

"They obviously have a lot of trust in her, and they see the potential there as well," Spencer said.

With her GED now in hand, that potential might well include college, Melinda said.

"The girls here are trying to talk me into going to college and becoming a registered nurse," she said. "I am thinking about that.

"It makes me feel good to have this job, because after I quit high school, all I could see was what I couldn't do," Melinda added. "Now I'm thinking about what I can do."