From Guiding Others to Finding Her Own Path – Congratulations to Arica Urena!
Work for Warriors Georgia is proud to spotlight Arica Urena, who is embarking on an exciting new chapter in her career as she joins Genuine Parts Company (GPC) as a Talent Acquisition Coordinator.
A Career Built on Service and Support
Arica’s journey has been rooted in helping others succeed. After transitioning out of the military in 2010, she embraced a new role as a military spouse and dedicated the next 15 years to serving the military community. Working across the federal, contracting, and nonprofit sectors, Arica has assisted thousands of transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses as they navigated their career paths.
Although she had built a fulfilling career supporting others, Arica felt ready for a change.
“I’ve helped so many people with their job searches,” she shared, “but this time, I realized it was my turn to take the leap and seek something new for myself.”
Connecting with Work for Warriors Georgia
Knowing the value of professional networks, Arica reached out to Patrick Rivers from Work for Warriors Georgia on May 19th via LinkedIn. What happened next set her career journey in motion.
“From the beginning, Patrick was a cheerleader,” Arica said. “He told me that if I did exactly what he suggested, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that an employer would hire me within 30 days. He rooted for me throughout the entire process—you could tell he genuinely cared!”
Patrick’s confidence was well placed. Just a few weeks later, on June 6th, 2025, Arica received her offer letter from GPC.
Trusting the Process
For Arica, the key to success was collaboration and commitment. She trusted the process, tailored her resume, scheduled mock interviews, asked thoughtful questions, and stayed in touch with her coordinator every step of the way.
“What made a huge difference was speaking with someone who was truly passionate about assisting others,” Arica explained. “Patrick never made me feel like just a number. His genuine support and encouragement meant everything.”
Words of Wisdom for Job Seekers
Now, as she prepares to begin her corporate career with GPC, Arica has words of encouragement for others who are just starting their job search:
“Don’t get discouraged. The right opportunity is out there waiting for you. Be open to suggestions and listen to the subject matter experts who want to help you succeed. Rejections are redirection—it’s not a reflection of your worth. You got this!”
Arica has already recommended Work for Warriors Georgia to her friends, and is confident that the team’s personalized approach and dedication can make a real difference for others.
Looking Ahead
As she steps into her new role at Genuine Parts Company, Arica is excited for what’s ahead. “I haven’t started yet, but I’m really looking forward to beginning my corporate career,” she said.
We couldn’t be prouder of Arica’s success and her commitment to personal and professional growth. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, networking, and trusting the process.
Congratulations, Arica — the entire Work for Warriors Georgia team is cheering you on!