| NAME Chanelle Federico | TITLE Building & Administrative Services Coordinator | ORGANIZATION Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation |
| LOCATION Highland, CA | PACE OUTCOME Promotion, Raise, New responsibilities | FAVORITE MODULE Task & Project Management |
Chanelle Federico spent seven years as an Executive Assistant in the nonprofit sector before joining Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, where she was given the chance to pursue PACE. She finished the program in about two weeks, scored 94% on the exam, and applied for a new position in her department after six months with the organization. She was offered the role and accepted.
Here is her story, in her own words.
Where were you in your career when you decided to pursue PACE, and what made it the right time?
CF: I had just transitioned from seven years as an Executive Assistant in the nonprofit sector to working in Native American government when I was given the opportunity to pursue PACE. In my previous roles, I wasn’t really able to pursue professional development. I was excited to start PACE at my new place of employment, where professional development is highly valued.
How did you fit PACE into your life?
CF: Fitting PACE into my life was easy and seamless! During downtime or slower parts of the workday, I chipped away at the program, lesson by lesson. I’m a huge notetaker in all aspects of life, so I took notes on my iPad throughout the modules. I wrote down definitions, studied the diagrams, and highlighted the main concepts, which helped immensely on the final exam. In total, PACE took me about two weeks to complete, and I scored 94% on the exam!
I understand that I’m lucky not to have many commitments after work, so that timeline may not be realistic for everyone. But even if you do have those commitments, it’s all about using your downtime to get it done.
“My best study tip is to study however works best for you: note-taking, flashcards, study groups, and more!”
Chanelle Federico
Which module changed how you work the most? Describe one specific moment when you used what you learned.
CF: The Task & Project Management module influences how I work every single day. I already hold a Project Management certificate from Google, so this module reinforced what I had learned and gave me tangible ways to bring those skills into my workflow. Right now, I’m using what I learned to work with other team members on a more efficient digital system for tracking and sending notifications about all the packages we receive and distribute.
What has changed since you earned your certification?
CF: After completing PACE, I applied for a new position within my department after only six months with the organization. Having the PACE certification gave me the leg up that I needed, and I was offered the position and accepted. My promotion brought new responsibilities, a raise, and the ability to collaborate with more teams in our department.
“The thing I wish I had known before starting is how much confidence I would gain by the end of the process.”
Chanelle Federico
What would you say to an admin who is on the fence about getting certified?
CF: I would tell that admin that PACE is worth the time, effort, and cost. I’m so glad my employer puts resources toward my professional development. If your employer is less inclined to help pay for the cost, ASAP has incredible resources that can help them see the benefit of the PACE certification. If you can dedicate your time and study well, getting certified is 100% worth it.
“PACE is for admins who are serious about leveling up their skill sets.”
Chanelle Federico
