Getting a job. It's a monumental stepping stone for most teenagers, and can mean more responsibility, more freedom, and an independent source of income. But, the search for a first job also means the application process, interviews, and first impressions. Most people just look to the closest ice cream shop, grocery store, or pizza parlor to break into the work world. However, it took a while for me to find somewhere to apply, because I had to consider what I was really capable of doing for a job. I couldn't work at an ice cream shop, the ice cream would fall if I carried it two feet. Smashed ice cream does not make for happy customers. I was afraid of the same thing with most other typical teenage workplaces. But, I finally found a place that I thought I could perform what they were asking. As I looked at the application, plastered all over it were the words "equal opportunity employer." I thought that was a great sign, that the company actually might not judge me, so I continued filling out the forms and hoped for the best. To my pleasant surprise, I got a call three days later asking me for an interview. Everyone gets nervous for interviews, especially the first one. I was even more apprehensive because I knew that on my application I did not mention my disability. The application actually specifically asked me not to include that small tidbit of information, because they did not want to appear biased. I arrived for the interview two days after I was first contacted by a manager, and I was there 15 minutes early like I was advised to be. Well, I waited at a little table and my interviewer came out. The conversation began something like this:

" You're Christin?"

"Yes, Hi, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too." (as she looks at the floor)

I knew from that point on that the interview would be an uphill battle, and I wasn't willing to fight for it. I knew that this wasn't the right place for me if they were going to view me that way. Going into that interview, I thought that the company actually would give me an equal opportunity. Ha. I think they were referring to hiring different ages and races, because they definitely were not open-minded about someone with a physical disability.

But, all turned out for the best in the end. I now work somewhere where the staff is more accommodating than I could ever ask for and are willing to work with my strengths. What I learned from this experience is this: Perseverance pays. I filled out multiple applications before getting that interview, and had to handle rejection before I could see that there was actually somewhere out there that would accept me. Now the only occasionally obnoxious people that I deal with are the customers, but that is another story for another day.