College of the Rockies was a convenient post-secondary option for Cranbrook native Amanda Schafer.
Unsure which program best suited her, however, she met with one of the College’s Education Advisors who pointed her in the direction of the Human Service Worker program.
“I imagined myself starting to work with children when I completed the program, and then returning to the College for the Education Assistant program,” she said.
However, a summer employment opportunity after she completed her Human Service Worker certificate led Amanda down an unexpected path.
“I was hired as a summer student at Realm, an organization which aims to empower individuals with diverse abilities to be autonomous within the community,” she said. “By the time fall came, I did not want to leave.”
Thankfully, the folks at Realm felt the same. Amanda has been with the organization ever since, working as a Direct Support Professional providing group and individual support to clients. She is also a team lead for the Operations staff at Realm, providing job coaching to the customized Operations positions.
With employment opportunities as her primary focus, Amanda reaches out to businesses in the Cranbrook community in an effort to identify opportunities and customize new jobs that fit better with the needs of her clients.
“I have to say, I did not expect to be working in the field that I am. I am grateful the Education Advisor guided me toward the Human Service Worker program as it led me to a career that I love.”
Though her work keeps her busy, Amanda is also dedicated to giving back to her community. She recently joined the Rotary Club of Cranbrook and looks forward to being able to contribute more to the region she loves.
Learn more about College of the Rockies’ Human Service Worker program.