Jason’s passion for computer and technology has been obvious since high school, and no one was surprised that he went on to excel in his Information and Communications Technology program at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
But when his IT career began, he was quickly confronted with the need for a skill set that he had never been taught – or event been told about – in any of his training. Instead of finding himself in a back office working on hardware as he had imagined and hoped, he was in an entry level role providing customer service. It wasn’t just technical skills that he needed in this role, but interpersonal skills; skills such as active listening and communication.
You could say that repairing things has been in Brody’s blood for a long time. While he has had an interest in mechanics since high school, Brody was hesitant to apply to any garages as he felt he didn’t have sufficient education or experience.
Through MentorAbility, Brody was matched with Ralph Van Worden Automotive Repair. This MentorAbility Experience provided him with an opportunity to shadow three mechanics and work directly on vehicles alongside each employee. Through discussion, Brody was able to explore how the mechanics chose their field of work, given their diverse backgrounds.
Comfort connected with the March of Dimes to explore her interest in securing a stocking or merchandising position.
Through a MentorAbility match with Basic Packaging, she participated in a half-day mentorship. This MentorAbility Experience went so well that it led to the employer expressing an interest in hiring Comfort and training her in a position of interest. Comfort’s positive attitude and strong work ethic contributed to a ‘win-win’ for herself and the employer. She has recently completed six months of employment as a packaging clerk and is looking toward the future!
Already with a background in Graphic Design and Fundamental Arts, Chris was connected to MentorAbility through the PEI Council of People with Disabilities to explore what a career in screen-printing, embroidery or sign production might look like.
Chris’ MentorAbility Experience saw him matched with the Charlottetown printing business Golden Custom Clothing under the mentorship of its founder Coltin Handrahan. During this MentorAbility Experience, Chris enjoyed accumulating on-the-job experience and witnessing the day-to-day operations of a professional printing company firsthand. He especially enjoyed getting his hands dirty when learning the physical process of screen-printing and was glad he wasn’t stuck behind a computer all day.
