Paulash Banerjee

WorkWell’s New Career Navigator

WorkWell reached a critical milestone when Paulash Banerjee recently joined the staff. At last, the
organization has a full-time person dedicated to building relationships with employers who will hire
our graduates. Career navigator is an indispensable role at WorkWell, and Paulash has a proven track
record in the sort of enthusiasm, commitment, and networking skills this position requires.

“I firmly believe that recidivism is a failure of society,” says Paulash. “If we don’t give people viable
options for their lives, they are forced into the decisions that got them incarcerated in the first place.”
This conviction keeps Paulash focused and results oriented. After just a few weeks on board, he had
already helped three out of seven trainees in the latest cohort reach the final stages of job hunting.

What enabled Paulash to hit the ground running is his background. Seven years ago, while
volunteering at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, he was asked to help people fill out job applications.
It soon became clear that Paulash possessed the charisma and know-how to excel at career navigation.
The regional employers he got to know while at TASK will prove invaluable to WorkWell as Paulash
seeks to broaden the network of businesses and organizations willing to hire our graduates. He is
encouraging each trainee to apply for a minimum of ten jobs. Many of the applications are sent
directly to local employers, bypassing online hiring platforms, which too often lead to algorithm-
driven dead-ends. In Paulash’s experience, personal connection and outreach open up many more
employment opportunities.

And personal connection extends to more than just potential employers. For Paulash, it is also the key
to a thriving atmosphere in the classroom. At WorkWell, trainees, staff, interns and volunteers work
hand in hand, and while the goal is employment, there is a less quantifiable but equally important
benefit for all: the fellowship and sense of common purpose that prevails. “Building a community is
the most important thing we do at WorkWell,” says Paulash. “I love everyone here and have so much
respect for them.” The folks at WorkWell feel the same about Paulash and welcome him aboard.