HASIBULLAH’S STORY

Facilitator: Matthew Ross, SCPa Works Business Services Program Manager

Participant: Hasibullah Z.

Matthew: First of all, I would like to formally congratulate you on your new role.  I oversee the service delivery component of Emily (York) and her Business Services Team.  It is an expectation to receive at least one success story a month to ensure Emily and her team are upholding the vision we have set forth – you are an example of that success, so I want to thank you.

Hasibullah: Thank you so much, Matthew.  It is a pleasure to be connected with you through the Business Services Team. Thank you for the opportunity to talk with you.

Matthew: Thank you, Hasibullah.  I will try to keep this as informal as I can, yet I do have a set of questions to keep myself on track.  First question – Can you tell me about your current role, and how it is going so far?

Hasibullah: I am working as a Structural Designer with G.P.I.  This role is basically engaging with the design of buildings, more specifically, using structural design using applicable courses and standards using building surveys, and existing condition assessments.  Ninety percent of the work is in the office, doing design, calculation, and repair assessment for both State and private clients. 

Hasibullah: In the beginning it was a bit challenging, but I have the work experience through my work back in Afghanistan.  Coming into the new context and learning a new set of software to be used and also learning new standards and codes took me about a month to get used to, but I am thankful to have good colleagues and a good manager.  So, once I learned the new tools and software, I was able to start with a few projects. Day by day, my understanding is increasing while the work is becoming more complex, but the company feels as though they can put me on those projects.  Overall, I would describe everything as going well, and I am satisfied.

Matthew: That’s great, and this is a fascinating story of how your skills were able to translate into what you are currently doing.  To have a company who is willing to support you and give you a chance to grow in your job, that is exactly what we want to see. 

Matthew: You essentially answered my next question, with how you feel you are being treated by your colleagues and management.  Is there anything you would like to elaborate on?

Hasibullah: Absolutely.  I am currently working out of the Mechanicsburg office, G.P.I. has a total of 4 offices.  I work in the Buildings department along with my manager, where we have the Transportation and Design team.  We have software that allows me to be in constant communication with all of my team.  In the beginning, I was traveling to Scranton once a week so we could get to know each other. Now, I am meeting with the team once a month, and my colleagues have been extremely helpful and professional.

Hasibullah: My manager has been looking to create more opportunities for me, potentially including me in new work that includes the design of dams.  The opportunities that have come around are really encouraging.

Matthew: This is very good, thank you.  Your experience so far as an employee has been great.  My next question – can you speak to the road you took, which led you to the PA CareerLink® for services?

Hasibullah: Yes. When I came back to the US, it was in February of 2022.  I was going through the process of immigration. The resettlement agency (International Services) I was working with had a link to the PA CareerLink®.  The office had an understanding of the PA CareerLink®.  I was in a condition of shock and never expecting to have to come to the US, but I was told about programs that could help me relaunch my professional career.  I completed the forms and requirements at the Harrisburg PA CareerLink® location.  After that, we began the process of looking for opportunities.

Matthew: Wonderful! It is important for our community to understand that PA CareerLink® is full of opportunities. You are an example of one who learned about those opportunities, which led you to a path of additional resources. 

Matthew: You spoke about your road which led to you to the PA CareerLink®, can you please rate your PA CareerLink® experience?  You do not have to give a firm rating, but if you could give an idea of what that would be for the resources and staff?

Hasibullah: It was absolutely smooth and systematic, from filling out the application and creating an account on the PA CareerLink® website.  Emily regularly shared opportunities that matched up with my resume and background, gave me the opportunity to apply for a position, and helped throughout the process.  I think it was very smooth and professional. 

Hasibullah: In the meantime, I feel it is not just the professional work.  I was seeing Emily and the team were feeling someone who was in need of help.  I felt that process is very important, professionally and emotionally. It was touching, and it was really a great experience.

Matthew: Thank you so much.  If Emily told you what to say during this interview, please let me know, you are in a safe space!  In all honesty, this is really good and I appreciate you sharing this.  This is our goal to hear such good things coming from Emily and her team, but this is the first time I had the chance to hear it from someone who worked with the team. 

Hasibullah:  You know, you get a feeling throughout the process when you work with people.  You can tell they take their job professionally, and they are trying to help you.  This is just a reflection of that.

Matthew: Well, thank you again for sharing that!  So, next question – you said your experience with the PA CareerLink® has been smooth, but did you come across any challenges or bumps in the road along the way?  Whether it be in spots during your enrollment…anything?

Hasibullah: No, actually. I was getting a list of opportunities and was able to understand all of the opportunities and how they matched with my previous experience and what I was looking for in the future.  It was always smooth and without any pressure, giving me the chance to choose whichever opportunity I came across.

Matthew: Wonderful, thank you.  It is our goal to make this portion from coming to the PA CareerLink®, to enrollment, to getting a job as smooth as possible.  We want to hear more of these stories, to further understand how we can not make things insurmountable for an individual and put more on their plate than needed.  It can be stressful trying to get back into the workforce, so we want to make sure this process is as smooth as possible.

Matthew: I only have one more question.  If you could give any words of advice to someone perhaps following a similar path that led you to the PA CareerLink®, whether it be advice or encouragement, what would it be?

Hasibullah: In my experience, I would say having constant contact with the PA CareerLink® team.  Seeing what opportunities are coming and feeling comfortable with those options.  When the right opportunity comes, it is important to reach out to the team and ask for help.  I think having the patience and looking into the opportunities will help with the process.

Matthew: Thank you again; I really appreciate your time.  I want to make it a goal to interview more individuals, to hear what is happening throughout our community.  It is important to hear the work being done from the back end to the front end.  Hearing this is very important, as it could help us better plan processes in the future.  Kudos to you for securing your role.  You have Emily’s contact information, and you have my contact information if you ever come across an individual who you feel would benefit from our services.

Hasibulla: Absolutely. Thank you for the opportunity and for speaking with me.  Thank you to Emily and everyone engaging in this process. 

Hasibullah: Last thing – I think for someone coming from another Country, and seeing it from this angle, I feel this is a very important program.  A lot of people are coming over, but they are unsure of how to get back to their professional lives.  They just need to be introduced to the right place.  From that perspective, I feel this program is crucial.