Rebecca resides in the Northern Saskatchewan community of Montreal Lake. In 2005, she was diagnosed with a learning disability called dyscalculia. She has trouble doing calculations in her head and works best using a calculator. Because of her barrier, she did not want to work as a cashier.
Rebecca has completed her Grade 12 and previously worked part-time in retail for a short time. She was referred to Neil Squire by the . She joined Creative Employment Options in April to gain more employment skills and learn how to navigate the labour market.
She started the program by updating her resume and learning to tailor cover letters to specific fields. She received assistance in career exploration and determined she wanted to work in an office setting or stocking shelves.
While in group-based services, Rebecca was able to develop a routine. She attended class and meetings regularly. She learned how to prepare for interviews and answer behavioral-based questions. She also reviewed tips to help with her anxiety, and worked on confidence-building skills.
Through the course material, Rebecca learned about disclosing her disability, workplace accommodations, and the difference between visible and invisible disabilities.
Rebecca completed a volunteer work placement at a local post-secondary support office to help add to her current skill set and make her more marketable in her community. She did such a good job that she was offered a part-time position as a Front Desk Receptionist. Rebecca is responsible for answering the phone, filing, maintaining office cleanliness, liaising between clients, members, visitors, and the community, as well as data entry.
When asked what she took from the Creative Employment Options program that would help her the most with future employment, she replied, “I am more confident.”
