Emily Shields, from Client to Counselor
Emily Shields had a good job as an academic advisor, but something was missing. She longed for work that truly changed lives.
“I wanted to do true counseling,” Emily recalls. “I wanted to help people discover their goals, not just choose courses. I wasn’t happy, and I knew I needed something more.”
That “something more” came from her counselor at Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR) at Workforce Solutions East Texas, who saw potential she hadn’t yet recognized. “He told me, ‘You have the right credentials to be a VR counselor.’ He encouraged me to send my transcripts to the state and explained the classes I needed to take to move forward. That conversation opened a door I hadn’t considered before.”
Emily acted on that advice, completing the necessary courses to become eligible for a VR counselor position. Along the way, challenges arose—like technical issues with her Work In Texas account—but each obstacle led to a new connection and opportunity.
When she reached out for help, she met Debra Holcomb, an Employment Service Representative, who encouraged her and guided her toward growth opportunities.
“She told me she thought I would be perfect for a VR role and encouraged me to go for it,” Emily says. Debra also suggested she attend the Job Connection Workshop, where Emily met Shantel Jackson, who helped her gain confidence, improve her resume, and prepare for interviews. Emily shares. “Shantel helped calm me, gave me strategies for interviews, and helped me tweak my resume so it spoke directly to the role I wanted. I walked away feeling confident and prepared.”
Her persistence paid off—Emily was offered a position as a VR counselor. “I’m working in my dream career. I’m so happy to be a VR counselor,” she says proudly. Now, she finds fulfillment helping others as she was helped. One client’s gratitude reminded her why she chose this path. Emily reflects, “I was having a tough week, and then I worked with a client who was getting hearing aids, just like me. At the end of her meeting, she hugged me and thanked me. In that moment, I thought—oh yeah, everything is totally worth this moment.”
For Emily, counseling is about seeing the whole person, not just their disability. “Even something like hearing loss can impact you mentally. Behind every disability is a person with feelings, goals, and opinions. As a counselor, I have the privilege of helping them see what’s possible.” For Emily, that privilege is personal. She once stood where many of her clients stand today, unsure of the next step, but willing to reach out for help. Her journey shows the power of believing in yourself—and letting others believe in you.
Emily urges others to use local workforce resources: “Don’t overlook your local workforce office. People think it’s just for unemployment and it’s not. There are so many resources and programs to help you get where you want to go in your career, so take advantage of them.”
Today, Emily isn’t just working a job—she’s living her dream, helping others discover their own. And for her, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.
