Student Story - Fredy Fernandez

My personal plan for success

Instructors: Colin, Luciano, Robert

My name is Fredy Fernandez. Computers have always has a huge impact on my life. As a child I remember my dad building my first computer with Windows 3.1. I was very excited to learn about computer and follow in my father’s foot steps since his carrer is in computers. As a kid I always took computer class from Elementary through High School. Enrolling in these classes helped me develop my typing skills.

After I graduated High School I started working for a temp agency in which my computer skills came into play. I worked as a receptionist, adminstrative assistant and Secreatay. I was with the agency for a few years. Once I got the experience in an office enviornment I felt it was time to move on to a career in the medical field. At the age of nineteen I applied for an appointment clerk position at Kaiser Permanente. It was an entry level position in which I could use to get my foot in the door and explore the medical field a bit more since I really didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. During the application process I took a typing test, basic reading, writing and math test. Once I passed the application process I met with the requtier. She asked me a little bit about my work history background and said she liked my engery and interest in the position. She set up an interview with one of the managers. After meeting the the manager came a third interview with the one of the supervisors at the appointment call center. I felt all of my interviews went very well even though I was very nervous. After waiting for 3 weeks I got the call that I was hired.

Once I started working I went through six weeks of trainging and went down to the call center to start my new job. As stressfull and overwhelming as it was taking 200 call a day, I love it. Being fluent in Spainsh definetly in my job.

After working in the appointment call center for ten month I applied for a Pharmacy assistant position at the Kaiser in West Los Angeles, 5 mins from where in live. I had no Pharmacy expierence when I interviewed but the manager again liked my enthusiasum and interest in the postion he decided to train me. Working at the Pharmacy was extremely stressful not only because I was new to is but because the department was under staffed. I started loving my job once I got the swing of things and learned more about the medications I was distributing by tranlating Spanish consults for the Pharmacist. Three years went by and I had hit my rock bottom. I lost my car, job and finances went down the drain. I felt so alone and worthless that I had let my family down but most of all myself. The more time went by the deeper I got into my drug using and felt emotionally bankrupt. Finally I reached the point of seeking help before I would end up getting arrested, institutionalized or worst, dead. Through the grace of my higher power, God, I found Cri-Help though a friend. I came in feeling hopeless and full of shame. Today I am very happy with myself and see my self worth. They have given me the tools that I need to stay sober by living it one day at a time. Once I complete my 6 month program I plan to go back to school to complete my degree in Pediatric Cardio Ultrasound. I hope to live a long prosberous and sober life and be able to be there for my family which I love with all my heart .