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Proyecto Visión Works with State Services to Support Reggie Martinez's
Employment Goals by Daniel Gutierrez, Project Associate, Proyecto Visión |
Reggie Martinez was born in Los Angeles in 1946. He completed his secondary education at Belmont High School before the computer era evolved. At the tender age of 20, Reggie enlisted in the United States Army to serve in the Vietnam War. Upon his return from Vietnam Reggie worked as a chef and a commercial truck driver. Despite all this life experience, Reggie never used a computer. He did not learn computer skills because he never held a job that required computer knowledge. Life Change After 14 years as a commercial truck driver, Reggie suffered an on-the-job leg injury that required he take time off work. Diabetes-related complications slowed his recovery. Reggie was not in condition to return to work until two years after he was injured. When Reggie recovered, the company he worked for told him they no longer had a job for him. This life change prompted Reggie to seek help to find a job. He wanted to take his (then) situation as an opportunity to start fresh and learn computer skills. As a Vietnam vet, Reggie regularly visited his local Veterans Affairs (VA) office. Someone there suggested he visit a One-Stop Career Center for vocational assistance and computer instruction. A stroke of luck had it that the One-Stop Career Center and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) offices were in the same building. Reggie enrolled for assistance from both organizations at once. Reggie went to WorkSource and VR for assistance with communication skills and to learn about computers. He has a learning disability that makes it difficult for him to communicate. Reggie feels he is not able to express himself well, especially during interviews. "Sometimes I feel discriminated against when I do not use the right words or if I do not respond with the proper language," he said. "This is intimidating for me, but the computer helps me out," he added. WorkSource assisted Reggie with courses in computer skills, how to structure resumes, write cover letters, and use proper language during interviews. Of his VR experience Reggie commented, "I attended many workshops. One involved a taped mock interview that helped me identify my strong points and areas that could use improvement. The workshops were all free. Before learning about One-Stops and VR, I did not know these resources were available." Proyecto Visión, Computers & Employment Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Miguel Esparza told Reggie about Proyecto Visión. Reggie called the project's toll-free hotline and the hotline operator explained how to conduct a job search on the Internet. He suggested Reggie visit the URL for CalJOBS, among other websites. CalJOBS is California's online system to link employer job listings with job seeker resumes. Reggie made use of the information he got from Proyecto Visión. He applied his newly learned Internet job searching skills at WorkSource's computer lab. On the CalJOBS website Reggie found part-time employment as a bus driver with Laidlaw. This was very exciting for Reggie, however, his goal was to find full-time work as a driver. Proyecto Visión staff encouraged Reggie to continue his search for full-time work while at Laidlaw. A short time later Reggie landed a full-time position as a school bus driver with Goodwill Industries. He has now been with Goodwill for several months. Perhaps the most important information Reggie received from Proyecto Visión was about the Beaumont Foundation of America - an organization that offers grants to individuals to fund technology equipment. Reggie applied for, and was awarded, an individual technology grant for a personal computer. Soon he will have his own computer. "Now I find it easy to look for jobs online. The Internet helps me search for a variety of employment options in my field. By owning a computer I will be able to do my research at home. It is easier for me to learn in the comfort of my own home. The more I work on the computer, the more I will learn," said Reggie. Even though Reggie now has full-time employment, he is in contact with Proyecto Visión and WorkSource. The Proyecto Visión operator contacts Reggie regularly to inform him about new benefits, and grant and employment opportunities. At WorkSource, Reggie is taking classes to learn how to better express himself and build his self-image. Today Reggie appreciates his knowledge of technology and credits computers and the Internet for helping him find his job. "Anyone who does not know how to operate a computer should learn right away. At first it was difficult, but with step-by-step training I was able to work through each problem as it arose." For more information on the resources mentioned in this article, please visit: http://www.worksourcecalifornia.com/ |
