Paul’s Story
Paul lives with a disability, but doesn’t let that major detail get in the way of a productive work and family life. He’s kind and outgoing, and prides himself on being a positive role model to his kids and a good husband to his wife.
“I’ve always liked working,” Paul says. “I really enjoy it.”
“I’ve always liked working. I really enjoy it.”
He spent nearly 28 years working for the same company, until they moved out of Minnesota in 2015 and he was laid off.
Paul followed all the required steps to sign up for unemployment, because he couldn’t find a new job.
Eventually, he started working with a Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) counselor. Paul recalls that at one meeting she brought up Avivo and said, “Paul, you should try this out.”
He looked at Avivo’s course options and saw IT Support Training as an option, and looked into it. Once Paul saw that IT Support was centered around computers, he was ready to sign up. “I thought, ‘Well this is cool. I’ve always wanted to do stuff with computers,’” he says.
Paul didn’t know what to expect when he first showed up at Avivo Institute of Career and Technical Education. In the end, he really liked the class.
“It was tough, but fun. I really enjoyed myself,” says Paul. “I got certified with the A+ Certification.”
After graduating from Avivo’s IT Support Training program, Paul needed to find a job. He signed up with several temp agencies to find temporary work while searching for a long-term prospect. One of those temp jobs ended up being the solution: Savvy Sherpa in Brooklyn Center.
“Avivo helps people. They help to rebuild you and get you ready. It’s not always easy, but as long as you take their advice and keep at it you should be successful.”
“Avivo helps people. They help to rebuild you and get you ready,” says Paul. “It’s not always easy, but as long as you take their advice and keep at it you should be successful.”
Paul doesn’t have major plans for the future, but hopes to stay employed and continue to be a hard-working role model for his kids.