Transitioning to My Future

“I learned that the training program had so much more to offer me than just money.”

I had just returned from a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spending two years working hard and serving others. While on my mission I learned and developed many new skills and a strong work ethic. Although I had developed and learned so much from my mission, I was not sure how I was to convert the mission experience into real life.  When I returned home, I was somewhat lost and unsure. I was having difficulty transitioning back to school and moving forward with my life. I had no money and I knew little about how to find a job.

I had a friend who worked at Deseret Industries, so I entered the program. I joined because I wanted money for college, but soon I learned that the training program had so much more to offer me than just money.

The DI used methods that I had found to be tremendously successful in the mission field, like setting goals and working with others to accomplish them. I found that when I set goals but didn't report or keep track of them, my success decreased drastically. I needed to be held accountable. This was a skill that I learned at DI which worked really well for me.

One of the greatest skills I learned was how to effectively search for a job. I have been able to find jobs in the past, but I can only attribute that to luck. I now have a part-time job, which is a direct result of planning ahead and the work I have done with my job coach.

At the close of my time at Deseret Industries, I am working on my degree in mechanical engineering. The DI has helped me a lot. I have momentum now as I move forward, which I plan on maintaining through many days ahead.

“The DI used methods that I had found to be tremendously successful in the mission field, like setting goals and working with others to accomplish them.”

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