I immigrated to the United States from Colombia with my family. When I first arrived, I was worried and anxious because I didn’t know what to do or where to go for employment. I had earned a college degree in pharmacy science, with several years of related experience in Colombia. Additional experience included working as a company and corporate safety officer. I looked for employment, but quickly realized that my degree and certifications were not accepted in the United States. I also needed to improve my English language skills. Everything was confusing to me because I did not speak English. I came to this country like many others before me, with a great desire for a better life for my family. Feeling depressed and alone, many times I thought of returning to my country of Colombia.

When I spoke with my branch president, I had little hope for finding employment. He offered me a referral to Deseret Industries. I was soon enrolled in the training program and began by processing soft goods. I worked hard and learned to sort the clothing and hang it. Eventually I learned how to price and size the clothing for the retail floor. I am hard working and willing to learn, so I learned the various tasks quickly and enjoyed working with others to achieve our daily goals.

Deseret Industries gave me the opportunity to enroll in pharmacy technician classes at the community college. My struggle to learn English prevented me from starting classes as quickly as I wanted. After I participated in ESL classes, and with help from my family, the DI staff, and my co-workers to practice English, I was ready to begin my technical training.

School was difficult, because I had to translate my text books, the lectures, etc., word by word. Each day I placed sticky notes on almost every page of my text books and covered those sticky notes with dozens of English words for pharmaceutical, medical, and other terms that I knew very well in Spanish, but needed to learn in English. I posted sticky notes all over my home and even in my work area. Every day and night, when I was not working, I was studying. It took a lot of hard work, but I was able to learn the material, pass the tests, and obtain my license.

Deseret Industries arranged for an internship in the form of a business partnership, where DI paid my salary. The owner of the pharmacy often provides this opportunity to pharmacy students, and she was very helpful to me with my internship and with improving my English. Upon completion of my internship, I was hired.

Today, after lots of tears and effort, I have my pharmacy technician license and I am employed as a pharmacy tech. I am grateful for the opportunities that Deseret Industries provided me, and for the staff, my family, and my co-workers who helped me achieve the goals that now allow me to help my family and others. This program works when we do our part to become self-reliant. I thank my Heavenly Father for being by my side and for Deseret Industries.