I had been unemployed for more than two years before I went to the LDS Employment Resource Center for help. I had previously earned a bachelor’s degree in theatrical design and worked as a scene designer for many years. But after being laid off from my job at a software company, I found that my diverse background made it difficult to get back into the current marketplace. Two years passed without any interviews or job offers, leaving me discouraged and depressed.

I expressed a desire to work in the new field of motion graphics design, but I lacked the necessary training and experience.  Development services, which is sponsored by Deseret Industries, helped me enroll in two evening courses in motion graphics design at a nearby community college. At the same time, I was offered a business partnership at a small advertising agency. Working at the ad agency during the day gave me the opportunity to begin applying the new skills I was learning at night. I began to feel hope again for my future.

At the end of the partnership, I was informed that the agency was unable to offer me a staff position. Disappointed by the news, I once again began to feel discouraged. But with the help of my counselor and his connections, I was offered another business partnership at a network in-house advertising agency.  

I was thrilled at the thought of going to work every day and was determined to do everything possible to take advantage of this opportunity. My development specialist helped me sign up for a class to understand the editing software used at the network. Unfortunately, at the end of the three month partnership, I was told that I wouldn’t be hired by the network. Instead of being down and depressed, I was surprisingly upbeat and positive.  Six months prior, I had been totally lost and had basically given up, but now I had the training and experience I needed to be successful.  

A short time later, the network agency asked me to come back for a three week freelance assignment. At the end of the assignment, I was offered a full-time staff position as an assistant editor and motion graphics designer. I am so grateful for my development specialist who never gave up on me and for the employment center resources that gave me opportunities to better myself.