Background
Cole is a young man who lives in northeastern Missouri. Cole describes himself as a bubbly, goofy, and sociable person who brings smiles wherever he goes. He is passionate about giving back to his community through his job at the local hospital. Cole works in the dietary department, where he has earned several promotions over his five years at the hospital. When Cole is not working, he is exploring his community with friends, hiking, or taking daily walks.
What’s Important
Cole’s first employment experience was a summer job after his junior year of high school. Missouri’s Vocational Rehabilitation agency offered a paid, 6-week work experience program for rising seniors. Through this program, Cole got a maintenance position at the local pool in his community and worked 20 hours per week, making above minimum wage. Cole completed tasks independently and only needed occasional check-ins from his job coach. Cole shared, “They didn’t have to come and check on me because they knew I’d be doing fine. I wouldn’t need someone overseeing.” This opportunity helped Cole develop important job skills like getting dressed for work, arriving on time, clocking in and out, and using checklists to remember his tasks. Cole also learned through this experience that he wanted a job that better fit his personality and where he could interact with people.
During his senior year of high school, Cole participated in a cooperative work program offered by his school called the Basic Employment Skills Training (BEST) program. This program allowed students to earn credit toward their diploma while interning for real on-the-job experiences. The program offered internships at several departments within the local hospital and a local non-profit, so students could decide what type of experience they wanted. Cole had a clear goal of employment after high school, so his team recommended that he explore positions at the hospital. He interviewed for several positions and was selected to work at his top choice, the hospital café. “Because of how social I was, they were really pointing to café, because of how bubbly in personality I am,” Cole shared. Cole received a small stipend during the internship with the café, which he used to take his family out to eat to celebrate.
During his internship, Cole was offered a paid position at the hospital. He graduated high school early in December and began working full-time at the hospital, earning $14 per hour in what would have been his spring semester. Cole reflected on this saying, “This was a great opportunity and one that I am glad that I took.” His job coach supported him with his onboarding paperwork and benefits enrollment. Cole quickly shifted to relying on the natural support of his supervisor and coworkers with only occasional check-ins from his job coach.
Cole worked at the hospital for five years and learned the tasks associated with six different positions. He learned to advocate for job accommodations and continued to work independently. He became a team lead. “I’ve never had a hard time advancing, but if I didn’t understand it, I’d question it until I understood it,” Cole shared. After two years working in the café, Cole transitioned to a role in the dietary department where he works today.
What Happened
Cole works in the hospital’s dietary department full-time and now earns $17 per hour. He works five days a week from 10:30am to 7:00pm and on a rotating schedule where he works every other weekend. Cole has full employee benefits, including a Health Savings Account (HSA) that helps him pay for therapy and medications, and he accrues paid time off (PTO) and paid sick leave. He also has the ability to pick up extra shifts and make extra money when the team is short-staffed. Cole does requisitions, prepares food in the kitchen, stocks patient food and the doctor’s lounges, does the dinner tray line for patients, and helps with closing dish room duties. He also interacts with patients, making sure they are satisfied. Cole uses his strengths as a communicator in this role and finds fulfillment in supporting the patients.
Cole reported that he feels more valued as a team member in his current role. He has been recognized for his contributions to the hospital. He received the employee of the month award in his department; was later nominated for the “Rising Star” award for both the quarter and year; and earned hospital-wide recognition, a cash bonus, and his own parking spot. Cole purchased his own new car through his hard work to park in his Rising Star parking spot. Cole also measures his advancement through the invitation to take part in special events catering at the hospital:
"There are times when we do big caterings, like for the service banquet, the Rising Star banquet, those big banquets we do yearly … If you were asked to go, that means the director, the head chef, and the second-in control trust that we can go and help with those things. Me and the head chef talked—he was like, ‘the reason you go, Cole, is because we know you’re dedicated, and that you have grown from where you are.’ So that’s how I see it. I feel like I’ve grown."
Cole’s career growth came with challenges, too. Cole described lacking courage and belief in himself as his biggest challenge. Over the years, Cole had to learn to work with people who belittled him or were unsupportive. Cole also learned how to overcome and work around barriers, including dyslexia and an auditory processing disorder. The natural supports at his job have helped Cole navigate these barriers so that they no longer hinder him as they may have in the past.
Cole’s job coach and supervisor recognize his growth at work, and Cole comments that he has learned to prioritize his own well-being over taking on too much work with the high staff turnover in a hospital setting. He continues to set boundaries for his mental health and develop his interpersonal skills. He shared:
"There’s times where it does get that stressful, where I want to just help and get it done. And that’s kind of like my last goal, is to manage myself more, put my mental health first, and don’t’ let people walk over you in a sense."
Cole also recognizes the support of his mentors and family members who helped him reach employment goals beyond what he’d ever envisioned. “I never thought that I’d get this far,” Cole said.
Cole is very happy with his job at the hospital and sees opportunities for career growth. He recently applied for a supervisory role in his department and made it through several rounds of interviews. Cole did not get the job but recognized his own growth as a competitive applicant and is keeping the supervisor position as a future goal. His message to others looking to advance in their careers is: “Keep trying, keep going, keep moving forward.”
Lessons Learned
Start your employment journey early. Cole started early with a summer job while in high school. He learned important skills that prepared him for working in the community and gained valuable insight on what type of job he wanted. Start working on your long-term employment goals as soon as possible.
Recognize the importance of “soft skills.” Soft skills like communication and teamwork are just as important as job-specific skills when it comes to career success. Cole continues to work on these soft skills to manage his boundaries and grow as a team leader. Remember that there is always more to learn about communication and relationships. Familiarize yourself with the soft skills you need to do your job and the support you may need to learn them.
Career growth may not be linear. In Cole’s case, he went from a paid job to an internship with a stipend through his school to exploring different career options before finding the job he loves at the hospital. He applied for a higher position, and though he did not get it the first time, he is keeping it as a long-term career goal. The journey to your ideal job may include exploring other opportunities or even some setbacks. Remember that these all serve as learning experiences and can help you grow.
For more information, contact: Jean Winsor, Jean.Winsor@umb.edu