The DI Helped Me Reach My Potential

"Helping others find what they needed gave me a sense of gratitude for being able to help."

Before I came to the Deseret Industries my lack of self-confidence and a physical disability kept getting in the way of me finding a permanent job. However, I quickly realized that with the help of mentors and friends at the DI, I didn’t have to let a disability get in the way of accomplishing my goal of becoming a chef. I wanted to be a chef because I love being in the kitchen and making great-tasting food for my family and friends. As I worked toward becoming a chef, I continued my work and training at Deseret Industries and schooling at a nearby community college. 

My first turning point at the DI was when I became a cashier, which I loved because I enjoyed meeting and greeting new people every day. Helping others find what they needed gave me a sense of gratitude for being able to help. I quickly became more confident in myself and increased my ability to overlook my insecurities and focus on serving others. I also got to work in the area of the store that sells small miscellaneous items, which was fun. I also had the opportunity to develop personally by training other associates to work in that area.

Training really helped me improve my communication skills with others and leadership skills on how a job is performed.There were many meetings with my job coach and my mentor that reassured me of my progression at the DI and how much I’ve grown as an individual. My job coach was always there to make sure I was doing my job well and making sure I was looking for future employment opportunities and going to school.

As time progressed at Deseret Industries, I entered a business partnership with a local rehabilitation center with the help of my job coach. I was hired as a dishwasher and a prep cook, where I continued to use my communication skills to accomplish tasks, working with cooks to complete orders, and preparing meals to meet the center’s standards. I worked hard and workers from the rehabilitation center trained me for a few months.They were so impressed with my work ethic and ability to stay on task that I was offered a full-time position.

I am so thankful for the business partnership and the opportunity to use the skills that I learned at the DI to better my situation and future. My confidence in my ability to overcome my physical disability has been strengthen by the efforts of many friends at the DI. 

"I am so thankful for the business partnership and the opportunity to use the skills that I learned at the DI to better my situation and future." 

For more amazing stories like Darren’s, visit the DI’s Facebook page by clicking here.