Congratulations to our Participant of the Month- Anuj! He has worked with Greenleaf several times and keeps coming back for more. His job developer, Kerry, nominated him for his hard work and dedication to the job search which landed him employment with Lowe’s. Congrats!
FULL INTERVIEW BELOW
Q:What led you to reach out to OOD for services?
A: I reached out to OOD previously when I was in high school, and needed to find a part-time job during weekends. Presently, I have finished up my junior year in college and needed a part-time job for the summer.
Q:Why is it important to you to have a job?
A: Having a job gives a purpose along with some financial game. I want to utilize my time to learn the social structure of working and be able to finance my small requirements and not be a burden on my family for everything. A job also teaches me responsibility, and discipline, as well as makes me feel accomplished.
Q: How is getting/having a job going to change your life?
A: Money is important to everyone we need it to survive, but as I am in college, I cannot entirely support myself. Having a job helps me pay for my entertainment and keep a little aside for a rainy day either for me or if my family needs it. Having a job also gives me purpose, as it makes me feel like I am utilizing my time fruitfully.
Q:What challenges or problems did you have to face to get your job?
A: First of all, I did not know where I am going to work. My criteria were somewhere near to home, and mostly the morning hours as I plan to do a summer class too. Other than that, I did not face such challenges as I got good guidance and help from the advisors of Greenleaf, as well as my older brother who does a part-time job too along with his full-time job.
Q:How did Greenleaf help you with these challenges?
A: I have faith in Greenleaf because this is the third time that I am working with this agency. They have a process in which a job search consultant contacts the person and teaches how to create a resume, how to do the interviews, as well to conduct mock interviews. Then they help you with the job search and applications. The next step is to accompany you for the different interviews till your job is finalized and you are satisfied with it. Once you start working, they appoint you a job coach who accompanies you to your workplace and helps you become more comfortable with your work routine. They come till you can function independently. Then the case is closed, but you can still contact your job coach when you run into any difficulty. This is how my challenges were also met by Greenleaf.
Q:What advice would you give to others who are nervous about looking for a job and working?
A: The advice I would give does not to be discouraged for all the things you know, there is work for everybody, the only thing that we have to understand is the what, where, and the how they want their job to be. Then they should contact the OOD who would link them up with agencies like Greenleaf. The people of these agencies are trained to guide people like us to achieve their goals in a job search. Don’t give up.
