Josh’s Journey to Employment
written by Josh Miller
I was close to graduating from the University of Southern Indiana with a Healthcare Service degree. I was also attending therapy at Easterseals, where I was serving as the Adult Representative. I would speak to different groups about how important it is to support the non-profit and its benefits to myself and the community.
At our final telethon, I met several business leaders who were giving checks/donations at the televised event. In between interviews I struck up a conversation with a man who was using crutches to walk. He asked if he could take a look at my newly converted van. Being young I had no clue who he was so I was just calling him buddy (little did I know he was the CEO of a fortune 1000 utility company). However, he must have seen something good in me.
“Even though I was just a temporary employee I was a founding member of Vectren’s Diversity and Inclusion Council.”
While showing off my new ride he asked me if after I graduated if I would like to do a three-month job internship in three different departments at his company so that I could get a real idea of what I wanted to do after graduating. I spent one month in the Communication Department, one month in HR, and eight months in the Diversity Department. Even though I was just a temporary employee I was a founding member of Vectren's Diversity and Inclusion Council. This gave me exposure to several of the directors and upper management. I conducted a company-wide survey that the CFO pushed every employee to complete then I presented the results to the Diversity council. I found my calling.
Although I changed temporary jobs a couple more times, I eventually got a permanent job in the Safety department. The company was bought out nine years later and one-third of the workforce was no longer needed. Because of my prior experience and skills, I was able to obtain a new job.
In Conclusion
I learned that if you want to find employment that you have to become involved in your community. I don't think of my physical disability as a barrier but as something that makes me special and that I can share with others. My unique life experiences give me a different perspective than those who are able-bodied. I will always be thankful to my "buddy" Mr. Ellerbrook. He is a great leader, person, and friend.
About the writer
Josh Miller, Safety Support Specialist at CenterPoint Energy