Julian started his journey with Supported Employment in late January 2023. He wanted more independence and to have a career, so he sought help from AbilityFirst Job developer Lucy, who would become instrumental in his progress. Through their hard work together, Julian landed a great opportunity – a paid internship with Volunteers of America in Los Angeles. The internship started in March and ended in June.
When Julian first joined Supported Employment he needed support and guidance on a few challenges he faced; how to fill out an application, look for a job, and the interview process. But his biggest challenge was that he didn’t have any prior internship or work experience.
Recognizing the need for a strong start, Julian’s Job Developer Lucy set to help him work on his resume, first. Although he didn’t have any tangible experience, Lucy was determined to find Julian somewhere to start. That’s when they discovered a three-month internship as a Front Desk assistant, with Volunteers of America -where Julian didn’t need to have any prior experience.
In his role as Front Desk Assistant, Julian learned various tasks including copying and scanning documents, answering the phones and greeting guests. These skills gave Julian practical experience and helped him to build a foundation for his career.
Following the successful three-month internship at Volunteers for America, Julian received the news that he would be hired as a part-time employee. Today, Julian works approximately 20 hours a week and loves his job! “I’ve really been enjoying my job at Volunteers of America and working with my co-workers.” Shares Julian, “ the job tasks that I’m currently completing are the same from when I completed the internship, and the work pace is the same.”