Overcoming adversity to find a fulfilling job
By CCTIMES, Published September 24, 2009

After her marriage dissolved in divorce, Barbara Smerud, who has a daughter with severe disabilities, moved to Joliet, Ill. When her ex-husband lost his decades-long battle with alcoholism and died, they were left with nothing.

Smerud was faced with rebuilding a life for herself and her daughter during an economic downturn that made work hard to find. Her move across state lines had also invalidated the professional licensures she had relied on to secure employment in the past.

“I’ve come from some pretty dark days. You’re not just working, you’re healing yourself,” said Smerud.

She found help at the workforce development office at Joliet Junior College (JJC), which is part of the Plus 50 Initiative, a three-year project managed by the American Association of Community Colleges.

Smerud came to the office at the onset of the Plus 50 Initiative, said Kelly Lapetino, workforce skills manager at JJC.

“She was struggling with many barriers as she sat down with me to discuss her situation,” Lapetino said.

As the primary caregiver for an adult daughter with severe physical disabilities, Smerud faced special challenges in the job market. Her daughter requires supervision and attends a day program. Smerud can only work or take courses while someone else supervises her daughter.

While Smerud’s circumstances are unique, many of the jobless workers arriving at community colleges today are carrying the emotional baggage that accompanies wrecked finances, job loss and unexpected life changes.

Smerud found a supportive environment and staff at JJC.

“Kelly makes you feel so welcomed and she makes you feel good about yourself, and that was another thing I needed to feel,” Smerud said. “I see so many people there trying to get computer training and trying to get jobs.”

At JJC, Smerud was able to take a six-week computer course that was geared specifically to adults age 50 and older. The class helped her boost her confidence as she looked for work.

“Just knowing that I know how to do it, that was helpful,” she said.

When she attended individual career advising tailored to the needs of a plus 50 student, Smerud explored some of her past employment experiences that she had enjoyed, including her work as a teacher’s aide. The advisor encouraged her to take the Illinois test for certification as a paraprofessional.

Smerud was initially daunted by the test, which is administered in three sections. She knew a number of people were retaking sections of the test due to previous failures, which made her nervous. Her finances were precarious enough that a failure on the test would have financial repercussions.

Smerud pass on her first try, which continued to increase her self-esteem and confidence.

“Taking the test for certification made me feel good about myself,” Smerud said.

Smerud’s newly-awarded Illinois Paraprofessional License led to a job as a home health aide. She saw an ad for a job working in apartment homes with adults with cerebral palsy. When she went to the office to apply for the job, she saw the organization’s facility for children, and wondered if she could work there instead. She inquired to see if a position was available and applied immediately for an opening.

Smerud is gratified to be working as a caregiver for severely disabled children at United Cerebral Palsy.

“I think getting a job in this tough economy is a huge success, let alone doing this with so many barriers,” Lapetino said.

Working with children with significant disabilities can be challenging or emotionally draining, but Smerud sees inspiration in her job.

“After two days with them, you forget the disability, you see the child,” she said. “I really do enjoy what I’m doing. I enjoy the kids. I’m amazed at how quickly you can get attached to them.”

Communicating with the children requires intuition and careful observance, Smerud said.

“The sad part is they understand you, but they can’t communicate to you,” she said. “You just have to go by the blink of the eye, if you want them to make a choice, to indicate which item they want.”

Smerud is hoping to find additional assistance for her daughter so she can return to JJC and continue her education. She is considering taking the certified nursing assistant course to bring her certification up-to-date in Illinois.