In 2013, Clayton saw a job opening for an operational supervisor position at Deseret Industries and was immediately drawn to it. He felt that it was his calling in life. He felt like someone was telling him, “You need to pursue this. You need to keep at this.”  

“And so, I did,” Clayton proudly says. 

Clayton applied for an operational supervisor position at Deseret Industries locations all over the United States—from Ogden, Utah, to Los Angeles, California. He ended up having more than 25 interviews over about seven and a half years. Then, in September of 2021, Clayton interviewed for the position at the DI location where he finally got his dream job. 

“I felt like the interview went really well,” Clayton recalls. “I said to myself, ‘As soon as I get this position, I'm just going to yell out loud, “Whoopee!”’ And so, the store manager called me the next day and said, ‘We would like to offer you the position,’ and he heard me go, ‘Whoopee!’” 

Since beginning in the role, Clayton has had ample opportunities to use his skills for good. DI operational supervisors specialize in training and coaching the store associates, and Clayton brought a fantastic background that prepared him for his job responsibilities. 

“I graduated in communications from the University of Utah,” Clayton says. “I was an employment counselor for 12 years, so I worked one-on-one with people and helped them overcome their obstacles so they could get back in the workforce.” 

Like all operational supervisors, Clayton leads his team utilizing the principles of the Ready for Work program. The program teaches DI associates important workplace behaviors such as dependability, productivity, teamwork, and professionalism, which prepares them for getting a better job after their time at Deseret Industries. 

“I try to find the positive in every person, in every situation,” Clayton says. “And that helps people to feel better about themselves. It helps motivate me and the people I work with to be successful.” 

Clayton’s favorite part about working at Deseret Industries is seeing the associates find success and improve their lives. 

“What's rewarding about working here is helping people progress, seeing them make those changes, and watching them get excited about their future,” Clayton says. “It just feels good to be using talents and skills that the Lord has blessed me with and really utilizing them to help His children, to help my brothers and sisters.” 

Interested in learning more about how operational supervisors like Clayton help DI associates find success and fulfillment? Watch our series of Badge-to-Badge videos to see where previous DI associates are today.