SUCCESS STORIES

I was first diagnosed with clinical depression during my senior year of high school. Since then, this battle has seemed to cut everything in my life short, such as my college education, or make everything unendurably long, such as my search to find adequate treatment. Once I did find a treatment that worked for a new diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety, I began my search for fulfillment in other areas
of my life.

I took a course at St. Joseph’s Social Service Center called Project Ready, where I was given the tools and knowledge to go back out into the working world. Through DVR, I was provided with a job coach named Diane, who saw the potential in me which seemed to have been dulled to the world ever since that first diagnosis. She met Susan at a job fair and took me to my interview at InspiriTec. I didn’t know what to expect, never having worked at a call center before, but everyone seemed kind and friendly. I got the job and began to train as a Customer Service Representative for the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.

I was proud of myself and happy. Within six months of working as a CSR, an opportunity came up to interview for the position of Quality Assurance Specialist. I was unsure, thinking I had been with the company for too short a time to apply. I asked Susan what she thought I should do, and she encouraged me to go ahead and apply. I got the job!

Soon thereafter, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and we were forced to make the move to become a virtual workforce. I continued to do my job as QA, but also began to train employees on the new systems we would be using working from home. As time went on, I asked whether I would like to take over the position of Head Trainer.
I took the job.

As you can tell, InspiriTec does promote from within. It is one of their priorities to provide opportunities for their existing employees. Yes, I had worked there a relatively short time. Yes, I had a disability. No, that did not discourage InspiriTec from giving me the chance of a lifetime: to be promoted and grow my new career with them.

I will not say that I am cured and everything is rosy at all times in my world. I do, however, live with my disability and I no longer let it define me. InspiriTec saw the possibilities in me, so how can I not now see them in myself?

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