Kayla has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (new window). Growing up Kayla was placed in specialized classes and modified courses in the public school system. By high school Kayla was getting frustrated and bored. She ultimately dropped out of school and got caught up with the “wrong crowd”.

Eventually, Kayla realized that in order to get a job, she needed to at least have a high school diploma. In the spring of 2009, at the age of 18, she enrolled in the Community Adult Learning Program at the Neil Squire Society’s Atlantic regional office. Her only goal at that time was to get her General Education Diploma (new window). In the fall of 2009, Kayla passed with ease.

Kayla’s next step was to figure out what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. Kayla signed up for the Employ-Ability program, also offered at the Neil Squire Society, and as she puts it, “I have never looked back.”

Kayla describes her journey as one big eye opener into her future. It all began with the Employ-Ability program where she started exploring her interests, values, abilities and skills. Her career assessments consistently pointed her to the “great outdoors.” Kayla was very thorough doing research on the National Occupational Classification (new window) and Labour Market Information (new window) websites. From this information, she began to identify people to contact for networking opportunities and to learn more about educational requirements. In the end, Kayla chose the environment and forest technology field. She truly never dreamed that her love for the outdoors was going to lead her to a job that paid.

Besides uncovering her career path, Kayla states that she has gained many valuable tools while in the Employ-Ability program. In the Wellness for Work components she accessed many valuable tools for work and life; topics like teamwork, communication, assertiveness, working with employers, time management and organizational skills. She credits much of this in helping her build her self-confidence and self-esteem. Kayla wants everyone to know that this program and the people at Neil Squire Society were instrumental in assisting with her career goal, helping her stay focused and goal oriented.

The Neil Squire Society referred Kayla to the provincial Post Secondary Education and Training Department to seek funding for training. Her Action Plan for Employment was reviewed and she was referred to the YMCA Youth Internship program (new window) where she secured a six month internship with the federal Department of Natural Resources – Canadian Forest Service (new window). Kayla states that this internship has further confirmed her decision to work in the forestry sector.

What’s  next for Kayla? She will be studying at the Maritime College of Forest Technology (new window) starting in September 2011!

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