Kelli Couto / Perseverance and Possibility

Kelli Couto came to BennettFrost to get a foot in the door on her dream job. Strong and sure, she knew exactly what she wanted: to work at Children’s Hospital of Central California.

Try, try again.

Imagine applying some 50 times to an employer, but to no avail. Despite all the determination in the world, she simply lacked the specific experience that would land her the job. Her resume included work at a winery lab, as a gas station clerk, a few years’ waitressing, and even court reporting school -- but no clerical or medical.

“The more I worked for minimum wage, I knew I needed a new plan,” Kelli said. “I was a very young mother and always dreamed of having a career that would allow me to support my family and continue to grow personally and professionally.”

Partnerships and promotions.

“I heard BennettFrost had a great reputation for placing people, and I also knew that the hospital used BennettFrost exclusively.” In her first BF placement at an ophthalmology office, Kelli remembers her tinge of disappointment -- just because it wasn’t Children’s. But she stuck it out to show that she had what it takes. And it paid off.

In just 10 months, Kelli had landed her coveted placement at the hospital, in a clerical position for the occupational and physical therapy department. Now, seven years and numerous promotions later, she is manager of the hospital’s Charlie Mitchell Clinic, a primary care practice for children with complex medical conditions.

She’s come full circle in calling upon BennettFrost for the staffing needs of the clinic, and in working to instill in her own employees the same sense of perseverance and possibility.

A system of support.

In addition to the opportunity to get her feet wet, she says, BennettFrost provided a strong system of support. “I surrounded myself with bright and supportive women, starting with Nanci Nishkian,” she says of the BF staffing manager. “Nanci has been so supportive of me throughout my career,” she adds, also offering praise for the hospital supervisors who have been her mentors.

Everything is possible.

“I’m really happy here,” Kelli says of the job she has dreamed of since having her tonsils removed as a child one Christmas day. As a single mom, she knows that achieving her next goal of a college degree while balancing the great job will be tough, but doable. “I do not feel the pressure so much now that I have a great career based on experience,” she says.

Kelli’s advice to others: Be honest with yourself about what you want and what you can live with. And if you really want something, go after it.