Take the job you can get until you can get the one you want
My first job after rebooting my life in the mid 90's was at a Subway in Sumner, WA. Mind you I had years of experience in other fields and their was part of me that felt I was above this job. Yet, I needed a job, and this was the job I could get at the time. Having just came into a brand new life in recovery I had a large gap in my employment history and I now had a criminal record. Jobs weren't banging on my door to hire me. So, I took the ones I could get.
I was the best sandwich artist around! I have found in life that there are times when you just need to do what is front of you. While this job was getting my basic needs met I remember it also being a fun job and I enjoyed what I did. I made a decision to do what was in front of me knowing I would get to where I wanted to be in a different career later. In those early years of restarting my life and career path I worked in construction, sales, restaurants, and any other place of employment that would give me a chance. All the while I was going to school to become a counselor. I did what I had to do to make ends meet.
A really amazing thing happened in 1997 that was a turning point for my career from that point until nearly a decade later. My brother-in-law worked for Fred Meyer as a Loss Prevention Manager. Previous to going deep into addiction I had worked in the same field. Now, with a criminal record, my belief was I would never work in the field again. He called me and said he had an open position and I should apply. He knew my situation and I brought that up with him.
He said something that day that I have always carried with me....he said "what do you have to lose by trying?" Nothing, I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I was already working and applying for this job wouldn't hurt me at all, the worst they could say is no. He said he could get me an interview with his boss and I could explain my situation. I was a year in recovery and was doing well in life. The only caveat was that criminal record.
I met Kevin Ruoff for the interview and it went well. He listened to my story and said he appreciated where I was in life. But, he said he wasn't willing to go to bat for me with his boss with me just having a year in recovery. He said if I was still doing good at two years to come and talk to him. While I was disappointed, I was encouraged. I lost nothing by asking. I still had a job and I had an opportunity in the future if I wanted it. So, a year later, I was still in school, still doing well, and as fate would have it Vern had another position open. He set up the interview with Kevin.
I got the job as a Loss Prevention Specialist for Fred Meyer. Kevin had went to the AVP of the company and got it approved. I turned that opportunity into a nearly ten year career with Fred Meyer. That was a pivotal moment for me at that time. On that day, and to this very day, I carry with me the belief that I can accomplish more than I imagine if I am willing to do what is needed and am willing to take risks.
I was able to go back to the courts in 2010 and have my record vacated. Doing this has helped me even more for my career path. I get to work in fields now that I simply wasn't able to due to company policies and the massive amount of stigma surrounding having a record. Even if the record is from crimes committed many years prior and directly attributed to a substance use disorder there are many arenas where the door is closed.
I speak loudly about the need for criminal justice reform and anything that can help people in recovery sustain productive lives by reducing barriers to employment. The reality is we need treatment not jail. People with substance use disorders are best served by this issue being treated as a health condition first. I am seeing good things happen to shift this mindset and will do all I can to further these efforts. I need all of my fellow people in recovery to do the same. Get involved in the community you live in and show people that recovery works. We all to often see the negative side of addiction, when what we need to see more of, is recovery in action
I was the best sandwich artist around! I have found in life that there are times when you just need to do what is front of you. While this job was getting my basic needs met I remember it also being a fun job and I enjoyed what I did. I made a decision to do what was in front of me knowing I would get to where I wanted to be in a different career later. In those early years of restarting my life and career path I worked in construction, sales, restaurants, and any other place of employment that would give me a chance. All the while I was going to school to become a counselor. I did what I had to do to make ends meet.
A really amazing thing happened in 1997 that was a turning point for my career from that point until nearly a decade later. My brother-in-law worked for Fred Meyer as a Loss Prevention Manager. Previous to going deep into addiction I had worked in the same field. Now, with a criminal record, my belief was I would never work in the field again. He called me and said he had an open position and I should apply. He knew my situation and I brought that up with him.
He said something that day that I have always carried with me....he said "what do you have to lose by trying?" Nothing, I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I was already working and applying for this job wouldn't hurt me at all, the worst they could say is no. He said he could get me an interview with his boss and I could explain my situation. I was a year in recovery and was doing well in life. The only caveat was that criminal record.
I met Kevin Ruoff for the interview and it went well. He listened to my story and said he appreciated where I was in life. But, he said he wasn't willing to go to bat for me with his boss with me just having a year in recovery. He said if I was still doing good at two years to come and talk to him. While I was disappointed, I was encouraged. I lost nothing by asking. I still had a job and I had an opportunity in the future if I wanted it. So, a year later, I was still in school, still doing well, and as fate would have it Vern had another position open. He set up the interview with Kevin.
I got the job as a Loss Prevention Specialist for Fred Meyer. Kevin had went to the AVP of the company and got it approved. I turned that opportunity into a nearly ten year career with Fred Meyer. That was a pivotal moment for me at that time. On that day, and to this very day, I carry with me the belief that I can accomplish more than I imagine if I am willing to do what is needed and am willing to take risks.
I was able to go back to the courts in 2010 and have my record vacated. Doing this has helped me even more for my career path. I get to work in fields now that I simply wasn't able to due to company policies and the massive amount of stigma surrounding having a record. Even if the record is from crimes committed many years prior and directly attributed to a substance use disorder there are many arenas where the door is closed.
I speak loudly about the need for criminal justice reform and anything that can help people in recovery sustain productive lives by reducing barriers to employment. The reality is we need treatment not jail. People with substance use disorders are best served by this issue being treated as a health condition first. I am seeing good things happen to shift this mindset and will do all I can to further these efforts. I need all of my fellow people in recovery to do the same. Get involved in the community you live in and show people that recovery works. We all to often see the negative side of addiction, when what we need to see more of, is recovery in action
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