When Antoinette Agosto walked into the Columbia Job Center on April 13, 2026, she was looking for two things: guidance on where to take her career and help getting her resume in shape. What she found was a path back into the field she’d trained for.
Antoinette qualified for services through the Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) program as an Eligible Spouse. After Job Center staff completed the Veteran Eligibility Screening Tool and confirmed her status under federal guidelines, she provided the required documentation and was enrolled in JVSG on April 22, 2026.
From there, the work got specific. During her intake interview, staff conducted a comprehensive assessment of her skills, education, and career interests, with a clear focus on social work. Together, they built an Individual Employment Plan mapping out short- and long-term goals and the steps to reach them. Staff pulled current labor market information for her field using O*Net and MERIC, walked her through available Job Center services, shared dates for upcoming job fairs, and provided targeted job referrals and job-matching support.
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Antoinette stayed engaged. She attended job fairs hosted by the Job Center at the Daniel Boone Regional Library and at the Truman VA Hospital, putting herself in front of employers and keeping her search moving.
The effort paid off. On May 6, 2026, Antoinette accepted a full-time position as a Social Worker with Good Shepherd Hospice, a role that draws on her organizational strengths, her attention to detail, and the social work skills she brings to supporting patients and their families.
Her story is straightforward: someone who knew what she wanted, used the tools available to her, and stayed with the process until it worked. Through JVSG services and ongoing support from the Columbia Job Center, Antoinette moved from a resume review into a stable, long-term career.
Way to go, Antoinette!
The Central Region offers dedicated employment services for veterans and eligible spouses, from resume assistance and career planning to targeted job referrals and connections with local employers. If you or someone you know may qualify, learn more at cwdregion.com/vetservices.