How Pitt is developing — and hiring — workers close to home

If you’ve ever searched for a job, you know how frustrating, time-consuming and uncertain the process can feel.

Celiwe Jones certainly does.

“I’ve been through the frustration of applying and not hearing back, even when I had the skills,” she said. “So, when someone comes to me feeling discouraged, I get it. I’ve been there. And I try to be the kind of support I wish I had.”

And as a workforce development career counselor in Pitt’s Office of Human Resources, she’s turning that understanding into action — helping Pittsburgh residents navigate the hiring process and find meaningful careers at the University.

In partnership with Pitt’s Office of Engagement and Community Affairs, Jones leads a growing effort to hire from the University’s four Neighborhood Commitment communities — the Hill District, Homewood, Greater Hazelwood and Oakland.

“This field is not a one-size-fits-all setup,” she said. “You have to meet people where they are and help them see where they can go.”

In this case, Jones is meeting workers close to home in Pittsburgh neighborhoods where Pitt has made long-term staffing, infrastructure and coordination commitments to facilitate mutually beneficial collaborations between the University and the local community. Her efforts are part of the Buy, Build, Hire Local initiative, a component of the University’s Anchor Initiatives, which focuses on Pitt’s strategic effort to invest in local talent and businesses.

Before she joined Pitt in 2023, Jones spent more than a decade working across government, military and nonprofit sectors to help people, including veterans, transition into new careers. Those experiences taught her that career counseling requires a holistic approach. Jones not only coaches applicants on goal setting, communication, résumé revisions and interview preparation — she stays in touch even after they get an offer letter.

“Sometimes there are barriers: background checks, onboarding, even simple questions. I’m here so people don’t feel like they’re navigating this alone,” Jones said.

After facing several personal challenges that prevented her from advancing in her career, Rhayshar Lane felt alienated and frustrated. Then she met with Jones.

With Jones providing a safe space, Lane opened up about her experiences, hopes and dreams. Lane said Jones assured her: “We’re going to get you in here.”

“Working with Celiwe was nothing short of a blessing,” Lane said. “My intake interview with her was probably the best interview I had ever been on. She was so patient, attentive and very resourceful.”

During Lane’s job search, the two stayed in constant contact through daily calls, with Jones sharing resources and providing tips every step of the way. Eventually, Lane joined Pitt as a contract specialist in Facilities Management. She’s been in her role at Pitt since March 2024.

“Working at the University of Pittsburgh, personally, is a dream come true,” Lane said.

Another new hire, Melinda Harris, now a financial operations administrator in Pitt Financial Record Services, echoed the impact Jones has had on her career journey.

“Celiwe made me feel confident that I have what it takes to be successful at Pitt,” she said. “It means a lot to me and my family. My children will be able to afford a college degree with me working here. It is a great place to retire with an excellent retirement plan, and I have stability. I feel like my position is needed and that I am helping others, which means a lot to me.”

In fiscal year 2024 alone, 163 residents from Pitt’s four Neighborhood Commitments neighborhoods were hired to the University. Additional efforts to help prepare jobseekers include job fairs, personalized career counseling and deep partnerships with community organizations like PA CareerLink and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh.

Jones shares job leads weekly with these partner organizations and community members. She also hosts appointments at Pitt’s Community Engagement Centers (CECs) and holds office hours at the Carnegie Library of Hazelwood and other neighborhood spaces for individuals interested in personalized guidance.

“It’s a team effort,” Jones said. “The community partners refer people, and the CEC outreach coordinators help us stay connected. Together, we build a pipeline for residents to see themselves at Pitt.”

Jones hopes the program will continue to grow, especially in Greater Hazelwood as the future CEC begins to take shape. More importantly, she hopes her work can help more residents feel like they belong at the University — not just as job seekers, but as colleagues, mentors and leaders.

“I talk to people who are ecstatic to get a job offer, even if it’s just a temporary role,” she said. “For many of them, it’s a huge sense of accomplishment. And if I can help make that happen, that’s everything.”

Photography by Aimee Obidzinski