Born and raised in Georgetown, Texas, Rhiannon Zarate is no stranger to hard work. A proud mother of four, she spent time living up north in Nebraska before returning home with a renewed determination to give her children and herself a better life.
Like many single parents, Rhiannon was caught between providing for her family and wanting more than just a paycheck. She had big dreams but wasn’t sure how to bridge the gap between where she was and where she wanted to be.
“I had the vision,” she says. “Just switching shoes and being able to take that step, that’s what the Goodwill school did for me. It gave me that push to be able to do it.”
From Maintenance Floors to Leasing Offices
Before finding the Goodwill Career and Technical Academy (GCTA), Rhiannon was working long hours in maintenance and production, operating robotic machines and working on assembly lines. While the work was steady, it didn’t offer the growth or purpose she craved.
Then one day, everything changed.
“I sat outside my balcony one day thinking, if someone paid me what I pay in rent every month, I’d be set,” she recalls.
That moment sparked a major turning point. What began as an idea became a new career and a clear direction.
Finding Her Path at GCTA
Rhiannon’s journey shifted when she got connected with GCTA’s Apartment Leasing Professional Certification program. To qualify, she attended several financial literacy and budgeting workshops, eager to soak up as much as she could.
“I think I went to three of those budgeting classes,” she laughs. “They were worth every minute.”
She didn’t just gain technical skills. She gained self-belief, focus, and a renewed sense of possibility.
GCTA’s Holistic Approach: More Than Just a Certification
GCTA understands that changing careers takes more than classroom time. It requires support, coaching, and tools that extend beyond the curriculum.
Rhiannon’s experience included:
- Apartment Leasing Professional Certification – Industry-specific training to enter the multi-family housing industry
- Financial Literacy Workshops – Skills to manage money, plan for the future, and work toward homeownership.
- Career Readiness Training – Resume help, interview prep, and workplace professionalism.
“Everything is hard,” she says. “Quitting is hard. Going backward is hard. But moving forward is easier than going back. So, choose your hard.”
Why GCTA Works: Career-Focused, Accessible, Life-Changing
The Goodwill Career and Technical Academy (GCTA) offers career training programs that help Central Texans launch into high-demand industries, regardless of their background or income.
Popular GCTA Programs Include:
With tuition assistance, flexible schedules, and support services, GCTA helps people take the next step with confidence.
A Leap of Faith, A Life Transformed
When asked to describe her GCTA experience in one word, Rhiannon said “experimental.”
“To me, ‘experimental’ is something you go into without knowing how you’re going to come out of it. But then you come out with tools, knowledge, and confidence. It’s way more than you expected.”
Her leap of faith led to a career, financial empowerment, and a renewed sense of identity. She went from getting by to building a future.
Looking Ahead: A Message of Hope
Today, Rhiannon is thriving in the leasing industry. She’s setting an example for her kids and laying the groundwork for her long-term goals, including homeownership.
“My kids, they know work,” she says. “Now they get to see what happens when you work smart, not just hard.”
Her message to others?
“You may not know how it’ll end, but if you take that first step, you’ll come out stronger, smarter, and ready.”
Start Your Story at GCTA
Ready to change your life like Rhiannon did?
Learn more about GCTA and how you can start your own success story.