Her Story
About Carmen
Carmen Rodriguez serves as a Career Coach at the Kentucky Career Center in Shelbyville, Kentucky, a role she began in August 2025 after eight years as an unemployment claims specialist with Kentucky unemployment insurance and Workforce Development. In her current position, she provides one-on-one coaching to help unemployed individuals prepare resumes, identify goals, overcome barriers to employment, and secure jobs, often connecting clients with recruiters and support resources such as gas cards. Rodriguez earned her GED after not completing high school and is now pursuing an associate degree in business management through online classes at BCTC. She attributes her success to remaining open and serving others with grace, hope, and joy while staying positive, humble, and open to criticism for growth. Outside of work, Rodriguez has volunteered for three years with the First Impression Teams Ministry at Clay Street Missionary Baptist Church, where she welcomes visitors and builds community connections.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carmen
01What do you attribute your success to?
Just being open and serving, wanting to help others build one day at a time. I'm driven because I just like to help with grace, hope, joy. I'm surrounded by positive people, stay positive, humble, and take criticism for growth.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never give up.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Get a mentor you can trust, be reliable, communicate, never stop learning, build relationships, treat everyone with respect, stay resilient, listen before you speak, and always present yourself with truth and reliability.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, commitment, integrity, respect, gratitude, leading with integrity, treating others with respect, serving with compassion and excellence, accountability, and continuing to learn and grow.
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