Jennifer: A Valued Employee
“The pride that Jennifer has taken in her job and her desire to do more-it’s great. She’s a very desirable part of our team,” says Jim, the manager at Jennifer’s workplace.
For Jennifer, being successful at a job she enjoys is all-important, and she’s proud of her work as a dishwasher for a national restaurant chain. It’s helped her gain self-confidence and allows her to earn money to support herself and her young daughter.
Like many people who have developmental disabilities, Jennifer learned her job with the assistance of a job coach. The job coach helped Jennifer develop her speed and ability to multi-task, while also helping her become comfortable communicating with her supervisors and co-workers.
Today, Jennifer works independently and says she knows she has a good “fit” in her job. Her manager agrees. “I’ve found that people who need job coaches are generally underestimated,” he says. “Jennifer’s dedication to the job and desire to do well are among her best qualities as an employee.”