When you talk to Miles, an associate at Deseret Industries, he has a clear vision for his future and a willingness to work towards it. Miles has a deep interest in plants and hopes to build a career around caring for and cultivating them. 

“I want to study anything to do with plants,” Miles says. “I’m hoping to do [a horticulture program] when I go to college in the fall.” 

What draws Miles to horticulture isn’t just classroom learning. He’s excited by the idea of working outdoors, staying connected with nature, and gaining hands‑on experiences as he learns. His long-term goal is to work in a greenhouse or plant nursery.

To move toward that goal, Miles began working at Deseret Industries and has gained valuable experience as a DI associate. Though Deseret Industries is not his first job, it’s been one of the most foundational thanks to the job training he has received through the DI job training program.

“I’ve been trained in almost every area of the store,” he explains. “I have a lot more job experience and skills that I wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Working on the dock, Miles has learned how to do just about everything that happens behind the scenes. He’s trained on the baler, received a certification to operate forklifts, handled large donations, and priced furniture and other big-ticket pieces for the retail floor. The variety keeps the job engaging and sometimes surprising.

“It’s interesting to see all the different donations that come into DI,” Miles says. “There are a lot of items that I have to look up on my phone because there are so many unique things that I’ve never seen before.”

“My plans have changed a lot,” he says. “I’ve been able to get advice from my development counselor on the changes and find different perspectives on what I might want to do next, certain jobs I could apply for, or things I might enjoy.”

When he considers what he wants others to know about working at Deseret Industries, Miles shares one message: it’s a flexible, understanding place for anyone working toward something new. 

“DI is a nice place to get job experience, especially if you don’t have much yet,” he says. “Everyone is searching for a job here, so they understand it might just be a temporary thing, and that’s okay.” 

You can support DI associates like Miles by donating gently used items to your nearest Deseret Industries location. Donations directly support the DI job training program, which helps associates gain skills and prepare for future employment opportunities.