September 29, 2009

The jobs I never thought I'd have... are the jobs I'm doing!

Before I got my implant, there were some jobs I thought I would NEVER be able to have and I thought I was going to miss out on the jobs that “everyone starts off with” such as being a waiter, working the front desk answering phones, helping visitors with directions, working the cashier stand at a fast food restaurant, etc.
But since I’ve started college and become more comfortable with my implant/hearing… I’m working one of the jobs I thought I would NEVER have which is working the front desk as a receptionist.

For the past year, I worked the front desk answering phones and assisting visitors who came into the Berry College Alumni Center. Sure, in the beginning it was a little tough getting used to it, and I always got nervous when someone called because I was afraid I wasn’t going to understand them or to be able to answer their questions, etc. But as time went by, it got easier and I got more comfortable answering phones and helping people.

But now, since I’ve switched jobs/departments, I’m no longer working the front desk but I’m answering calls about reservations in the different meeting rooms, dining halls, ballrooms, etc.

So it’s definitely been an adventure working these jobs! Every day it amazes me that ME – a DEAF person – is answering phones, helping people, and training the new freshmen, etc. It makes me feel good that I’m able to do this and it makes me that much more grateful for the opportunities I’m now experiencing because of my Cochlear Implant and having gone through Auditory Verbal Therapy. Without them… I don’t know where I would be working right now.

I guess you can say that deaf people can achieve what we originally thought was impossible! :)