Home » Success Stories » A Little Extra Help to Reach Her Goals

As a single mother of three children ages 13, 10, and 6, Nikole Roberts had already done the hard work of preparing for her career. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in clinical Mental Health Counseling, completed her internship, and had stable housing and reliable transportation. However, one final obstacle stood between Nikole and the career she had worked so hard to achieve—obtaining her professional counseling license.

When Nikole visited the SEMCA Michigan Works! Monroe American Job Center in February 2026 and enrolled in the PATH program, she was unemployed and facing financial challenges that made it difficult to pay the required licensing fees. Without her license, she could not begin working in her chosen profession. As a mother of three, she also needed employment that would provide the flexibility to balance her career with her family responsibilities.

From the start, Nikole and her Career Coach shared one clear goal: helping her obtain her counseling license so she could launch her career. While completing the required AEP activities and transitioning into the PATH program, Nikole diligently gathered the documentation needed for her licensure application and identified the remaining fees that stood in her way.

In addition to supporting her employment goals, SEMCA Michigan Works! connected Nikole with local housing resources through the Where to Turn Guide and the Monroe County Family Resources Guide. After successfully completing the AEP process, she also received a $50 Walmart incentive gift card.

Recognizing that the licensing fees were the final barrier to employment, PATH provided financial assistance to cover both the $150 Audit Application for Licensure fee and the $88.10 Limited Licensed Counselor application fee. While waiting for state approval, Nikole continued networking, preparing for interviews, and actively searching for employment opportunities.

In March 2026, her licensure was officially approved, opening the door to the career she had worked so hard to achieve.

With her license in hand, Nikole quickly received three employment offers. She considered a position at the site where she completed her internship and a counseling position with Monroe Public Schools before accepting a role with Lyon Counseling Center as a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor.

The position offered exactly what she needed: the flexibility to work three days a week while building her own client base, allowing her to successfully balance her professional goals with the responsibilities of raising her three children.

Reflecting on her experience, Nikole shared:

“SEMCA Michigan Works! and the PATH program played a critical role in helping me obtain my license and move forward in my career as a therapist. Their support went far beyond traditional assistance—they provided guidance, resources, and encouragement that made this achievement possible. When I graduated from my master’s program, I was in a financial crisis with three children and desperately needed the support. I truly would not have been able to reach this point in my career without their assistance. This program is an incredible way for individuals from all backgrounds and educational experiences to build meaningful, sustainable careers.”

Nikole’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the final step toward success requires just a little extra support. Through her determination, combined with targeted assistance from the SEMCA Michigan Works! PATH program, she was able to overcome the last barrier to employment and begin the career she had worked so hard to achieve. Today, she is building a successful counseling practice while creating a brighter future for herself and her family.