Be Consistent in Pursuing the Life You Want

Alec Sherman came to the Rehabilitation Services Administration of DDS during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to get help navigating the job market. While he had been applying for jobs, the extra assistance he got from his vocational rehabilitation specialist made the employment search less daunting. He and his VR specialist met weekly, searching and submitting applications for federal and local government positions. Soon, he was accepted into Cohort 3 of the Aspiring Professionals Program, a paid six-month assignment within a designated District of Columbia Government agencies for people with disabilities. 

More 60 percent of program participants, who complete the internship, gained full-time employment. Alec gained valuable work experience with the human resources department at the University of the District of Columbia. Now, he is an executive assistant for the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary. As part of the scheduling and advance teams, he arranges meetings and reviews various reports. “I enjoy getting things done in a timely manner and working with various points of contact within and external to the department.”

Alex hopes to continue his professional career with the federal government, eventually moving up within the ranks and transitioning to a position in the arts, possibly at the Kennedy Center, the Library of Congress, or the Smithsonian. He believes RSA is a good resource for people with disabilities who want to pursue a career they enjoy. He notes that while the job search can be difficult, it’s important that people “don’t get discouraged. Take it one day at a time and be consistent in pursuing the life you want.”