When I first started at Deseret Industries (DI), I was being treated for severe depression and anxiety. I rarely left my house. I did graduate from high school, but I felt hopeless and believed I wasn’t going anywhere. On that first day at DI, I was absolutely sure I wouldn’t make it through the week. I had no skills, and it was all too much for me. I hated how I felt. I don’t think I talked to a single customer the first couple of weeks. I definitely had terrible customer skills.

My job coach, however, believed in me. He never stopped encouraging me and telling me that I had done a good job. I got along well with him and a fellow team member. This made all the difference. Soon I noticed that my skills were improving. With all of the encouragement and feedback, I also started to improve my people skills. After several months, I was promoted to a cashier position. That was a huge event for me, as it showed the trust the managers had in me. As my skills improved, I started to like my job. I actually began to believe that I could amount to something, that I could be successful and happy.

After I had saved enough money to buy a car, I began to look for a new job. I didn’t know anything about getting a job. I was terrified. When I explained my fears to my manager, he suggested I take a class on finding a job. It was incredibly helpful.

Everyone at DI encouraged me to apply for jobs and was there for me when I had questions about the application process. When I applied for the job I currently have, I remember being so scared. I didn’t know how to interview. I really wanted this position. My counselor and I did a mock interview together. He helped me to prepare answers to questions that might be asked. This helped so much. I nailed the interview and got the job. My new job is perfect for me.

If someone had told me a year ago that in one year I would have a job as a customer service representative, that I would wake up at 6:30 in the morning excited to go to work, and that I would have a car and a plan for the future, I would have just laughed at them! This change in me has come because of the support and encouragement I had at DI. The DI program has helped me so much, and I am so grateful for it.