I started at Deseret Industries (DI) after losing my job of nearly seven years. I had thrived there. I had learned everything I could, but I was lacking in some essential skills that would keep me employable. A friend of mine told me about DI, so I went through the steps necessary to start working there.

I worked with many different job coaches and associates in many departments. I learned how to sort and price donations based on condition and quality and did well wherever I worked. I finally moved to a department that looked both challenging and intriguing—clothing processing. I learned how to perform my job duties and eventually learned how to price. I then transferred to the sales floor. Having always excelled in customer service, I really enjoyed meeting different customers and helping meet their needs.

My focus was to learn how to assist customers while working efficiently. My supervisor helped me as best she could, but she still struggled knowing the best way to help me. It was only after I took a career assessment test that we realized I would only have job satisfaction if I had the social aspect of helping other people. My job coach and development counselor then helped me find a job where I can utilize my customer service skills while feeling valued.

To say my experience at DI was always easy would be untrue; however, to say my experience at DI was always hard would also be vastly untrue. I went through a myriad of experiences while working, learning, and training at DI. A few feelings I felt were: happiness, sadness, confusion, regret, satisfaction, and determination. The most important thing I learned from working at DI is choosing to be confident and always work to improve.