By Randy Porter
LINCOLN (SNR) - The first session of “Beloved,” a series of workshops designed to help women confidently navigate the job search process as beloved daughters of God, challenged participants to put on the “Job Search Mindset.”
The Zoom sessions, which benefit St. Gianna Women’s Homes, began Oct. 27 and continue through Nov. 24. The next meeting, Nov. 10 from 8 to 9:30 p.m., is entitled “Résumé Revitalization.”
“LinkedIn Profile Crafting” is scheduled from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 17, and from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 24, the topic is “Interviewing with Confidence.”
Valentina Obafunwa, MBA, of Lincoln, created the virtual career workshop and facilitates each meeting. She is the founder of the recently launched Fiat Career Coaching, LLC, and a parishioner at St. Michael Parish in Lincoln.
“The first session went really well,” Obafunwa said. “One of the women later shared that she liked how faith was integrated into the session, and that she left encouraged and ready to put the strategies into practice.”
The workshops are in partnership with Catholic Social Services. Obafunwa worked with Katie Hile Patrick, regional director, to organize the classes and review the content.
Women from St. Gianna Women’s Homes attend the classes free of charge.
“All proceeds of this initial Beloved series go to St. Gianna Women’s Homes because, like many in the community, I believe in its mission,” the facilitator said. “I am in awe of the courageous women and the many staff that walk alongside them.”
Fiat Career Coaching is focused on helping women recognize their identities as beloved daughters of God, and to live out their professional mission, Obafunwa said.
“I couldn’t think of a better organization to support with these workshops,” she said.
To register, go to: fiatcareercoaching.com/workshops. Only 25 seats are available each session. Sessions are $25 each.
St. Gianna Women’s Homes
In the spring of 2011, Catholic Social Services opened a 24-apartment unit for victims of domestic violence and those escaping abortion.
This unit, along with an existing three-bedroom home, is collectively called St. Gianna Women’s Homes. Though it serves women of all faiths in the Diocese of Lincoln, St. Gianna Women’s Homes will not make any recommendations or referrals contrary to the Catholic faith. It is staffed by the Marian Sisters.
In addition to housing, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska provides education, employment and counseling services for families left homeless because of domestic violence.
About the facilitator
Originally from Nigeria, Obafunwa and her family moved to the Cayman Islands and Bermuda before settling in Lincoln.
She attended Pius X High School and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a double major in business administration and elementary education. After graduation, she worked more than six years in Texas and California for an oil and gas company and the largest dental laboratory in the U.S.
“I developed technical and managerial skills training programs for both organizations and fell in love with the field of employee development,” Obafunwa said.
While in California, she completed her master’s degree in business administration at the University of California-Irvine in 2016. After graduation, she joined the Peace Corps and taught entrepreneurship classes at local high schools in Nicaragua.
The St. Michael parishioner returned to Lincoln two years ago and worked for the Nebraska Department of Economic Department. Obafunwa now works for an employee engagement survey company based in California. She analyzes data and helps Fortune 500 clients understand how to improve the employee experience.
Obafunwa started Fiat Career Coaching, LLC from a desire to help other women with their job search process, she said.
“As an adventurous person who enjoys new challenges, I have had very different kinds of jobs over the course of my career,” she said. “Although I enjoyed those jobs and learned much from them, I often wondered how my work experience would connect — and if God really had a plan for my life.”
It was only after a period of prayer and reflection that God helped her to understand how he was putting together the puzzle pieces of her life, Obafunwa said. She then realized how much she loved helping friends review their resumes and prepare for job interviews.
“It gave me so much joy to see their confidence grow, especially when they landed a job,” the professional said. “After persisting in prayer, I strongly felt God calling me to pursue my new business, so I took the leap of faith.”
Obafunwa is thankful for the many family members and friends that encouraged her, and prayed for her along her new path.
“I am excited for what the future holds and the amazing plans God has for me and the incredible women I will encounter through this,” she said.
