I Have Many Dreams - Alison Peck

Part 3: Pathways

I began working with Employment Pathways in my junior year of High School. I met with Sue and we talked about my interest and plans for the future. The staff at Employment Pathways got information about me from my teachers and case managers and we decided to look at my skills and develop a job that would best fit my interest and needs.

Because I wanted to work in an office, my first job experience was working at Skylands Community Bank. I shredded important documents and also had the opportunity to help prepare bank statements. This was a valuable first work experience, however I needed to find employment that would better challenge my capabilities.

[Photo] This is me at the Skylands Bank

My next experience was at the Warren County Special Services Office. While working there I did labeling and mailings and worked on office machines, including the automatic stamp and copy machines. I like working here because I knew that I was in an office that worked in Special Education.

I then worked at a business called NuComm. I worked on the computer typing documents and worked in Excel in creating mailing lists, and collated manuals.

My last stop was at the Hackettstown Chamber of Commerce Office. There I helped the staff get ready for the Spring Festival. It was there that I had the most challenging and most complicated job. I had to go through the mailing list and identify duplicated labels so that their label systems could be updated. I liked the staff and I really enjoyed working there. I am hoping that they will need extra clerical support and offer me a position in the future.

The people that I have met while job sampling have been very nice. I have enjoyed working with all of the Employment Pathways staff. Wendie, who was my first job coach became my respite worker. She also meets with me after school to help me with my money management. Mary has been teaching me about office ethics and proper attire. The entire staff has helped me develop the skills that I will need when I get a job. I have also met with Donna Erickson at DVR who will help support me after graduation.

Just over a week ago, Employment Pathways asked me about how I would feel about working at Wal-Mart as a greeter. I was very excited and said that I would like to apply. It may not be the clerical job that I would like to get, but I realize that I need to start small and work my way up.

Peggy helped me put in an application and I was hired.

I am so excited about being a Wal-Mart employee, not to mention getting the 10% discount. I went through orientation yesterday. I can't wait until my first day on the job. I have been practicing my lines... "Welcome to Wal-Mart, have a fun time shopping."

Next page > I hated the label > Page 1, 2, 3, 4

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