How Employment ACTion Makes a Difference:
Robert’s story

“I held multiple management positions in my career prior to finding out I was HIV-positive. At the time I was diagnosed, I had just started to pursue my MBA while looking to launch a freelance consulting service. Unfortunately, those plans fell apart as I struggled to adapt to HIV-medication and the significant side effects which had a profound impact on my physical and mental health. I grew concerned about how I would continue to succeed in the workforce, so I came to ACT and found out about Employment ACTion. I began working in the pre-employment phase, working with an employment counsellor, and then a job developer who helped me redefine my employment goals and readiness within the context of my new reality.

Employment ACTion helped me update my resume and interview skills, and they helped to address my concerns regarding loss of confidence. We worked together to develop an employment strategy that detailed my goals, strengths, perceived barriers, my personal mission statement and next steps. Committing these to paper helped me to see my strengths and to refocus any time I felt off track. It allowed me to evaluate new career options based upon my new-found self-knowledge, ultimately providing the foundation I needed to meet (and exceed) my employment goals.

Coming to Employment ACTion, my plan was to re-enter the workforce at a management level. Through the strategies Employment ACTion used to explore and redefine myself based upon who I am today, I was able to successfully land a position that married all of my past experience, education and current knowledge. I’m proud to say I have recently been hired as the Director of Admissions for a large private college and expect that role will expand and incorporate more responsibilities in the next year. I am grateful to ACT and to Employment ACTion for helping me return to work and for the continued monthly support to ensure I have a resource to come to for job coaching and long-term employment success.”