Last year, LightHouse welcomed a new member to our Community Services Department, Sabrina Bolus. Sabrina took on the role of Adult Programs Coordinator and hit the ground running! Many of our students know Sabrina as the creator and hostess of weekly programs like Gratitude VIBES, Vision: Peer-Led Support Group and Toastmasters, as well as monthly virtual book clubs and writers workshops—but did you know Sabrina started out as a LightHouse student herself? Read all about Sabrina’s first-hand experience in the Employment Immersion program. (And don’t forget to join her incredible programs! You can see a full list of LightHouse offerings on our online calendar.)
“I came to the LightHouse through the Department of Rehabilitation and joined the Employment Immersion Program when I was ready to transition from work as a Chaplain and group facilitator. While I was confident in my skills, I was unsure about where and how to best utilize them. The Immersion program’s Elevator Pitch process, mentorship connections, and community support from my cohort all played a pivotal role in helping me land the wonderful position I have today.
“The Elevator Pitch was a concept that was quickly introduced to me, and I soon realized its importance in sparking interest in potential employers. With guidance from [currently and former Employment Immersion staff members] Ed Wong, Kate Williams and Marc Grossman, I was able to look within and discover what was truly important to me. I rewrote my pitch multiple times, and it became a journey of professional self-discovery, helping me better understand who I am and what I do.
“The mentorship connections provided by the program were invaluable. I had the opportunity to meet with great mentors who provided insights into different areas of my professional skills and personality. They helped me gain confidence in interviewing. One mentor was starting his own business as a Coach, and his guidance was instrumental in helping me uncover key soft skills that I had previously overlooked in my resume.
“The community support from my cohort was also incredibly valuable. The weekly group meetings were something I looked forward to, as I was surrounded by people with similar experiences who genuinely wanted to support each other in all aspects of living independently with my changing vision. This camaraderie and shared experience have continued to inform my work at the LightHouse, and I am grateful for the connections I made through the program.
“There were two things I initially hesitated to do, but they ended up being incredibly helpful: LinkedIn and networking. The program encouraged me to create a strong LinkedIn profile and actively network, which I initially found challenging, but it opened doors and opportunities that I hadn’t anticipated.
“I am thrilled to share that I recently celebrated my first anniversary at the LightHouse in March 2023, and I am grateful for the support and guidance I received through the Employment Immersion Program. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to navigate the job market who is blind or visually impaired and seeking practical tools, mentorship, and a supportive community, to achieve their employment goals. It has been a life-changing experience for me, and I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead in my career. Thank you, LightHouse!”
You can find more information about the LightHouse Employment Immersion Program on our website.
