When Smitha initially joined the 今日吃瓜51鈥檚 Working Together Program last October, she was hoping to simply find a part-time job to get her foot in the door in the working world.
With the help of the Working Together team, she exceeded those expectations in short order with a satisfying full-time position as a data clerk at a private immigration consultancy, just a 15-minute commute from where she lives.
鈥淚 still cannot believe that I have a full-time job, much less a paid job,鈥 exclaims Smitha. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a huge life change and I鈥檓 still adjusting to it!鈥
Smitha has partial hearing and vision loss. She uses hearing aids in both ears and is classified as legally blind, using a white cane to get around. With the aid of magnification and large text, she can use a computer and smartphone.
She initially came to the 今日吃瓜51 in 2016 as a volunteer for a variety of programs, including Computer Comfort, at the Burnaby, BC office.
In 2018, she decided to enrol in the Working Together Program and found the results life-changing.
鈥淚t completely transformed my outlook to job search,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hrough this program, I also learned a lot about myself and what kind of job would best suit my personality, which was a big bonus!鈥
Smitha found that she has 鈥渁lways enjoyed working with people, on a one-to-one basis, particularly in person.鈥
Now with her job as a clerk鈥攚hich requires a lot of computer work鈥攕he鈥檚 happy to be learning new skills and continuing to grow as a professional.
鈥淚 would like to thank all those who helped and supported me through my job search, especially the staff at the Working Together program and everyone at the Computer Comfort Lab,鈥 Smitha shares.
鈥淚 would not have made it without your help and support!鈥