Making friends at orientation!
Our DSP for this week is Isa, and she worked at our Southcrest home in Edina for the summer. She is a premed student in Colorado who was looking for meaningful work while home for summer break. Lucky for us, Isa’s mom attended the gala last year and recommended she reach out to Living Well to see about opportunities. After a few calls to learn more about the organization, she applied—and it was a perfect match from the start! She even made friends with Kari from Casey after her in person interview!
At this moment she is probably 10 hours into her drive home, and while we are sad she is leaving, we are grateful she was a part of the team this summer.
Jenni Zeis, Recruiter, says, “Isa made a wonderful impression on me during both her first and second interviews. I was especially impressed by her eagerness to learn, ask thoughtful questions, and her genuine desire to build meaningful relationships with the people we support. Although she had never worked with individuals with disabilities before, she approached the opportunity with openness, humility, and enthusiasm. Her desire to gain meaningful experience while home from college, along with her pre-med studies in Colorado, speaks to her commitment to growing both personally and professionally. Her curiosity, compassion, and willingness to learn stood out to me and made me confident she would be a positive addition to any team at Living Well.”
Isa, we appreciate you making time for us this summer and we wish you well as you get ready to graduate next year! You are welcome to come back anytime. Wherever you land, people will be lucky to work with you.
ABOUT ISA
Number of years/months with Living Well: 3 months
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy reading, cooking, and movies.
Job Experience/History: Before Living Well, I did not have any experience in caregiving. I have worked as a waitress and student aide in sports medicine at my college in Colorado.
Favorite part of the job: My favorite part of the job is hanging out with the people in the home after they get home from their day programs. We sit in the living room or outside and talk about their days.
Favorite work story: My favorite work story is when we all went bowling as a group.
Motivation for coming to work: My motivation for coming to work is the people served at Southcrest. They are incredible and fun to be around.
What made you apply: I was looking for a hands-on job in the healthcare field. With an interest in personal care.
What makes you stay: The people!
What would you tell people interested in joining the team: It’s a lot of fun. Every individual in the house has a great personality and is fun to hang out with. It is also very fulfilling to be a person whom those in need of support can rely on.
When not at work what do you like to do for fun: I like to hang out with friends, go to the gym, walk around lakes, and try out new restaurants.
Do you volunteer in your community or school: This summer I volunteered with Health Partners at the Neuroscience Center in Minnesota.
Want to nominate a DSP? Please email jessica.maurer@livingwell.org to nominate a Living Well DSP. Special thanks to Miles and Cheri Cohen for their support of DSP of Week. Want to join them in underwriting our DSP Shoutout Program? Please contact Jamee.Yung@livingwell.org for sponsorship opportunities.