Second Chance Hiring Success: Kasandra Friend’s Career with McGraw Hill
Written by Natalie Medley, Marketing Support Coordinator at Televerde Foundation
When Kasandra Friend walked out of prison in April 2024, she was ready to put her skills to work and rebuild her life. Today, she works remotely in Higher Education Tech Support at McGraw Hill, where she brings compassion, professionalism, and lived experience to every call she takes.
Kasandra’s path wasn’t without obstacles, but it was guided by preparation, self-belief, and the tools she gained through the Televerde Foundation’s Career PATHS program. Her story speaks to what’s possible when opportunity meets readiness.
We spoke with Kasandra about her journey, the impact of second-chance hiring, and the support systems that helped her step into her next chapter with confidence.
Q&A With Kasandra Friend
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your current role.
I’m Kasandra Friend, and I work for McGraw Hill as a Higher Education Tech Support representative. It’s a remote position, and I love that I get to help people in a meaningful way while working from home.
Q: How did this opportunity come about?
At first, I was working two jobs just to stay afloat. I had been released not long before and was doing whatever I could to keep moving forward. That’s when Chelsea from the Televerde Foundation reached out about this position. I applied, interviewed, and got an offer the very next day. It felt like a door finally opened.
Q: What was the interview process like for you?
Surprisingly, I wasn’t nervous. The PATHS program gave me a solid foundation with mock interviews and resume prep. I used the STAR method during the interview, and the hiring manager told me afterward that I had answered so clearly she didn’t even need to ask a follow-up question.
Q: Did your training with the Televerde Foundation help you prepare for the technical aspects of the job?
Absolutely. I chose the professional sales track in the PATHS program, and that included working with Salesforce. McGraw Hill uses Salesforce too, so I was already familiar with it. I also earned a Salesforce Associate certification while incarcerated, which gave me a head start.
Q: You mentioned working in sales and customer service. How do those skills support your current role?
They go hand in hand. You can’t sell without understanding customer relationships, and you can’t provide great service without knowing how to listen and connect. The communication skills I developed in both areas help me every day.
Q: What support systems have been helpful post-release?
The alumni network through the Televerde Foundation has been a big help. Even when I’ve been working long hours and can’t attend every meeting, I know it’s there. That ongoing connection means a lot.
Q: What would you want employers or hiring managers to understand about the value of giving someone a second chance?
Second chances are meant to show growth. I can talk about my goals all day long, but I’d rather let my work speak for itself. Give someone that shot, even in a small way, and watch what they do with it.
Kasandra’s journey is a powerful example of how preparation, support, and meaningful employment can transform a life. Her story reminds us that talent exists in every community. When companies like McGraw Hill are willing to invest in people, the impact reaches far beyond the workplace.
This story is part of our ongoing Life After Prison: Power of a Second Chance series—where we highlight real women reshaping their futures through fair chance employment.
Special thanks to our employment partner McGraw Hill for championing the transformative power of second chances.
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