Martin’s journey is one of resilience and transformation. With Asperger’s, a learning disability, ADHD, and anxiety, finding employment seemed like a daunting task. But when Martin came to Scope, he wasn’t just looking for a job – he was searching for a way to break through the barriers that held him back.
Now, Martin’s story is one of success and fulfillment. With Scope’s support through the Disability Employment Services (DES) program, he’s landed two jobs: a fast-paced role in food prep at McDonald’s and a role keeping the sparkle alive as a commercial cleaner for Masterwize.
Making connections and embracing himself
Martin's journey began with Scope's School Leaver Employer Supports (SLES) program after a tough time in high school.
“High school teaches knowledge,” says Martin. “But there were times with high school where it came to things like bullying… teachers tried to stop it, but they didn’t fully stop it.
“When I started SLES, I got along with everyone in the program. I started to talk to the others in the program about things like anime and we had so much in common. One of the best things about the SLES and DES programs are the friends you make there.
“Scope taught me to be accepting of myself and to be normal in my own way. Well, I believe there’s no such thing as ‘normal’, but the DES team says, ‘You can be yourself’.
“In my life, people have treated me like I was a weirdo and like I wouldn’t be able to do much. But DES and SLES took me seriously and told me to just do my best.”
Overthinking turns into owning it
Martin’s experience with DES taught him much more than just job skills – it reshaped how he saw himself and his abilities.
“DES taught me how to talk about myself and stay in control when interviewing for a job. I learned how to present myself and how to be clear on what I’m saying. Because that’s what a workplace asks of you sometimes.
“DES will teach you how to find work. And it also teaches you to stop worrying about things like the status quo or what school you went to.
“When I was younger, I thought I’d have to go to college to get a degree and get a good job. This worried me because as I grew older, I knew that I wanted a job I can handle. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, or what I could do,” Martin says.
He realised that his friendliness (often criticised before as “talking too much”), was actually an asset. “Scope helped me see that being able to talk to people is often a good trait for a job!”
Martin had always been a positive person, but DES helped him focus that positivity into actionable skills. “They showed me how sharp I can be when I focus,” he adds.
Scope’s guidance helped Martin to see the value in his unique skill set and gave him the confidence to pursue jobs he would thrive in and enjoy.
Nailing interviews and landing roles
With DES’s support, Martin aced his first job interview.
“Before my first interview, I was really worried. Job interviews are the important part of getting a job.
“During the interview, I was dressed up polite and I talked about my responses clearly. By the end of the it, the interviewer said, ‘We like this positive attitude of yours!’
“It went great! I felt very happy afterwards and I literally jumped up and punched the air. I was really, really happy.”
Martin secured two jobs: a food-prep role at McDonald’s and a commercial cleaning position with Masterwize.
“I’m so grateful for what DES has taught me,” says Martin.
A proud team behind him
His Scope Employment Consultant, Talia Fernandez, helped Matin prepare for interviews and navigate the onboarding process.
“I knew when I met Martin that he has an amazing skillset,” says Talia. “He was very capable, but he wasn’t confident.
“He’s excellent at being on time, he’s very friendly and I knew culturally he would be a great fit for any team – he can get along with anyone.
“We worked with Martin to help build his confidence and to appreciate his strengths. We talked at length about the types of work he’d like to do and helped him line up interviews with our industry partners.
“And of course, we helped him prepare for his interview and went with him as support.
“At his interviews, Martin nailed everything we’d practiced, and it paid off – he landed two jobs!
“He needed some help with the finer details in getting onboarded, like understanding payslips and group certificates. So, we helped him tidy up the paperwork.
“The special thing about Martin is that his personality and reliability have allowed him to shine through this process,” says Talia.
Martin’s thriving work life today
At McDonald’s, Martin quickly progressed from cleaning to food prep, a sign of the trust and value the company places in him.
“They’re very happy with my work, and I’m glad to be part of the team,” Martin shares.
His role at Masterwize, where he cleans and preps before the store opens, is also a great fit, tailored to ensure his health and mental well-being.
Martin continues to thrive with ongoing support from Scope. Regular check-ins, both in person and via calls and texts, help him stay on track. He’s also kept up with friends from SLES and DES, and remains an active member of the Marvel Club.
Martin’s advice: Take the leap
For anyone considering DES, Martin has simple advice: “Do it! I have definitely grown in leaps and bounds from my time at Scope because of learning more about myself, the friends I’ve made – and from accepting myself.
“Scope will teach you how to make friends, be yourself, and do things your own way.”
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