A Future to Consider

“I had co-workers who cared about me and helped me.”

When I began to consider my future, a family member told me about the training offered at the Deseret Industries. When I first started the program, however, I had a poor attitude about work. My attendance was horrible and so was my punctuality. My job coach tried to help me set goals, and I would only do them halfway. It wasn’t until I found out that my husband and I were expecting a baby that my attitude towards work changed. I found a new desire to come to work every day and improve my skills. When I lost our baby in a miscarriage, my world was turned upside down. I returned to not caring about work. I stopped following my development plan. I almost lost my job.

Thankfully, I had co-workers who cared about me and helped me. My mother helped me to remember that I still had a family to take care of, and that I needed to show them how I could work hard and be successful. I returned to work with a changed attitude. I wanted to prove to everyone that I could do it and be the best at it.

I have shown my supervisors that I am dependable, responsible, and trustworthy. As a result, I was recommended for a leadership position. Because I gained their trust, I was asked to work in the office. There I had an opportunity to learn new things and help many people.

I now have such a positive attitude about work. I don’t spend my time thinking how I can get out of it, rather, how I can help and make the day better for everyone. I am so thankful for the opportunity Deseret Industries has given me. I have learned a lot about myself and have discovered skills that I didn’t know I had. I have had an opportunity to practice, learn, and teach others. I will be forever grateful.

“I have had an opportunity to practice, learn, and teach others. I will be forever grateful.”

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