Careers
& Employment

Gesher helps people across metro Detroit find personal fulfillment and financial stability through meaningful employment.

Whether you’re just entering the job market or returning to it after a significant gap, have recently lost your job, or are simply looking to make a change, Gesher offers career development support in a variety of settings and formats to suit your individual needs and circumstances.

We’re here to help you make your career goals a reality through personalized career coaching, technical skills training, networking opportunities and job placement services. 

Waterford

Oakland County
Michigan Works!

Michigan Works! provides jobseekers the support, training, and services they need to get back to work, find new employment, obtain necessary credentials, and more. Our team also offers businesses customized recruitment solutions to help them source and train staff.

Collingwood

Detroit at Work

Detroit at Work provides information for jobseekers and employers on in-demand career pathways and training programs that are aligned to jobs in growing career sectors.

Career Counseling Services

Find the Right Career Fit

We will work with you to develop a personalized plan based on your individual goals, interests, skills, motivators, and unique work styles so you can make informed decisions about your future.

Career Counseling will help you to:

  • Identify long- and short-term career goals
  • Analyze your skills, interests, style, and values
  • Take individualized assessments (i.e., Myers-Briggs, Strong Interest Inventory, etc.)
  • Develop a plan to reach your goals
  • Make decisions based on market trends

We can meet in person or virtually.

Identify your skills, strengths, interests, abilities, personal style and values
Receive expert interpretation on assessments to help you identify the right roles
Clarify your career goals and develop a proactive plan to find the right position

Job Search Services

Launch Your New Career

Need help with your job search or exploring a new career? We can help you successfully find employment with expert job search support that helps you stand out in a crowd, perfect your resume, nail your interview, get hired, and advance your career. Our Certified Professional Resume Writers can help with:

  • Job Search Strategies
  • Resume Development
  • Cover Letter Writing
  • Using & Optimizing LinkedIn
  • Leveraging Your Network
  • Interview Preparation
  • Salary Negotiation

Schedule your appointment with a career expert today

Hermelin ORT Computer Training

Computer knowledge is vital in many jobs and careers. Let us help you learn the skills necessary for your next career opportunity, from computer basics, to office & computer essentials, to our drop-in computer labs.

Online classes also available.

For more information or to register for a class, contact Dave Rotter at drotter@geshermi.org or (248) 233-4243.

Learn the basic computer fundamentals and skills you need for work, school, and life.
Essentials for job seekers looking to learn how to use programs like Microsoft Excel.
Visit our drop-in Southfield Computer Lab on Fridays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Women to Work

The Women to Work program is a free 4-week group program for women who have been out of the workforce and want assistance in returning. Women will receive:

  • Vocational Assessments
  • Networking Assistance
  • Resume Writing and Interviewing Support
  • Discussions on Stress Management
  • Financial Management and Budgeting Assistance

Additionally, our Springboard to Success program combines the Women to Work program with hands-on Microsoft Office computer training.

For more information, contact Judy Richmond at jrichmond@geshermi.org or 248-233-4232.

JOIN Internship Program

College students build their professional network and strengthen their resume through an 8-week paid summer internship. The JOIN Internship Program offers valuable work experience, educational seminars, and learning opportunities centered around the Jewish community. Students will work alongside Jewish communal professionals in the following disciplines:

  • Nonprofit Business Administration
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Research and Program Planning
  • Human Resources
  • Community Outreach and Advocacy
  • Development and Fundraising

The 2025 JOIN Internship will run from Monday, June 9 to Friday, August 1. Openings are limited. Open to Jewish, full-time undergraduate and graduate students who are metro Detroit residents. For more information, contact Ashley Stone at astone@geshermi.org or (248) 233-4482. The application deadline Is February 28, 2025.

Employment Services for Individuals with Disabilities

Gesher is committed to helping adults and youth with disabilities achieve long-term success and fulfillment by helping them identify their employment strengths, interests, and skills needed to find and maintain employment.

Individuals are offered the option to work or volunteer in their community with ongoing support from Gesher staff at every step of the process. 

We strive to help individuals with disabilities become independent and more fully integrated into their communities through our comprehensive array of employment services.

Supported Employment and Skill Building

We directly assist individuals with disabilities as they find and maintain a job that fits their skills, interests, and abilities through on-going job coaching and personalized support to help build their professional toolkit.

Oakland County
Ted Goewey
tgoewey@geshermi.org
(248) 233-4334

Wayne County
CuJuan Davis – DWIHN Contact cdavis@geshermi.org
(313) 446-8023

Vocational Rehab

Through Gesher’s Vocational Rehabilitation services, adults and youth with disabilities interested in working independently benefit from customized employment, assessments, internships, workshops, and job placement and coaching services. This program is generally funded by Michigan Rehabilitation Services, the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, private insurance or self-pay.

Macomb & Oakland
Rene Dell, MA, LPC, NCC, CRC
rdell@geshermi.org
(248) 233-4448

Wayne County
Tara Forster, MA, LPC, CBIS, NCC, CRC
tforster@geshermi.org
(313) 446-8013

AbilityOne

AbilityOne Program is one of the largest sources of jobs for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. Participants can leverage AbilityOne-learned skills in public and private sector jobs and enjoy full participation in their community.

Ticket to Work

 In partnership with the Social Security Administration, the Ticket to Work program provides a path to employment for individuals receiving SSDI and/or SSI. The program is free, voluntary, and helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence. For more information, contact Sherrie James at sjames@geshermi.org or (248) 233-4472.

Hear From Your Neighbors

I am usually the one fighting for myself, but I actually had people that were in my corner rooting and fighting for me. I honestly don’t know how I could ever repay the generosity and financial relief that I received from Gesher.

KPC

Next Event

17November
Office & Computer Essentials
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Office & Computer Essentials

Life Skills & Education

Date & Time: November 17th 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Where: Gesher Human Services, 29699 Southfield Rd., Southfield, MI 48076

Office and Computer Essentials: Microsoft Word and Excel
Helping Job Seekers Learn Microsoft Word and Excel

This class is designed for job seekers wanting to gain office computer skills for increased confidence and preparedness to enter or re-enter the workplace.

Students will learn how to:

  • Create and edit Word and Excel files
  • Format text in Word
  • Create headers and footers in a Word document
  • Create basic Excel worksheets
  • Use simple formulas in Excel
  • Create PDF files
  • Move files to and from a flash drive


After completing this class, the student will:

  • Be more confident in their job search for a position that requires proficiency in Word or Excel.
  • Be able to create custom resumes and write custom cover letters.
  • Have obtained the general computer skills that are expected of an applicant for an entry level office position.

Students must be able to learn independently in a classroom or group setting. Course prerequisites include basic keyboarding, email, and internet access, and access to a computer for practice. Taught by an engaging and experienced instructor.

Fee: $499. Full and partial scholarships are available. Students must fill out an Enrollment Application form to qualify for a scholarship.

Registration: Download an Enrollment Application form (click here) and email it to drotter@geshermi.org or call Dave Rotter at 248-233-4243.

Upcoming Events

19November
Strategic Job Search: Practical Tips for Landing Your Dream Job
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Strategic Job Search: Practical Tips for Landing Your Dream Job

Life Skills & Education

Learn how to stand out in today’s job market with smart strategies for resumes, networking, and interviews. This virtual workshop will help you build a focused plan to land the job you want.

Date and Time: Wednesday, November 19 at 10:00am

Location: Virtual

Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ONyQMnYGReW0ECQVm1r_Ww

20November
Resume Writing Workshop
10:00 am - 11:30 am

Resume Writing Workshop

Life Skills & Education

Join Gesher Human Services for a free Resume Writing Workshop by Certified Professional Resume Writers. Gain valuable tips and tools to write a dynamic resume. There will be an opportunity to sign up for free 1-on-1 resume assistance at the conclusion of the workshop.

Date and Time: Thursday, November 20 from 10:00-11:30 am

Location: Gesher Human Services 29699 Southfield Rd. | Southfield, MI 48076

Registration: https://jlive.app/events/12484

20November
AI in the Job Hunt
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

AI in the Job Hunt

Life Skills & Education

Demystify the power of AI in your job search! This beginner-friendly workshop equips you to perform a modern job search and to utilize AI tools to build a strong resume that gets noticed. No experience needed – become an AI-powered job search pro!

Date and Time: Thursday, November 20 from 1pm to 2:30pm

Location: Gesher Human Services 29699 Southfield Rd. | Southfield, MI 48076

No registration required.

21November
Open Computer Lab
10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Open Computer Lab

Life Skills & Education

Join us for our Open Computer Lab, where you’ll have the chance to enhance your computer skills, work on projects, or get help with tech questions in a relaxed, supportive environment. Free of charge and no appointment needed! Bring your own laptop or use ours, and simply sign in at the front desk on the 2nd floor.

Date and Time: Every Friday from 10 am to 1 pm

Location: Gesher Human Services 29699 Southfield Rd. | Southfield, MI 48076

21November
Navigating Ongoing Housing Costs
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Navigating Ongoing Housing Costs

Life Skills & Education

Housing is one of life’s most significant expenses. This workshop will delve into the complexities of ongoing housing costs, providing practical strategies to manage and minimize them.

Date and Time: Friday, November 21 at 1:00 pm

Location: Virtual

Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/OkrswxLyTVaunSPNuo15Cw

Take the first step toward a more stable and fulfilling life