Amanda can easily be described as a “ray of sunshine.” She is kind to everyone she meets and she does not let a bad day get her down. In her Project SEARCH interview, Amanda stated that her strengths were being “friendly and nice.” This resonated to be true throughout the program and after the program was completed.

Amanda entered the Project SEARCH with limited work experience. She went on three very different internships that challenged her and helped morph her into the worker that she is today. Amanda's first internship was on the patient floors where she interacted with different patients every day. This experience was difficult for Amanda at first, due to the new and sometimes difficult situations she would encounter daily. After a while, she enjoyed the internship, and she would describe some interactions she had with patients to Project SEARCH staff during the day. Amanda also held an internship in the Physical Therapy Department where she would stock the rooms for therapists and she would sanitize the fitness equipment. During this internship, Amanda gravitated to an older volunteer named Mary and they would frequently share jokes and laugh. Amanda’s final internship was in Diagnostic Imaging. At this internship, Amanda would stock linen in the x-ray and fluoroscopy rooms

Amanda was a part of the first graduating Project SEARCH class back in 2015. Amanda was hired right away in March of that same year by Lifetime Fitness in Warrenville. Amanda caught on to her duties very quickly and even helped train one of her colleagues in the process of her learning her own tasks. It was evident in the beginning when Amanda was learning her job that she really thrived in the environment that Lifetime Fitness provided.

Amanda has been successful in working at Life Time Fitness, and as of this year, she will have worked at Lifetime Fitness for three years. Amanda not only sanitizes and ensures cleanliness of all the fitness equipment, but she also is always willing to help out folding towels or cleaning the female locker room as well. Amanda has made her face known at her work, and it has been cited by several individuals that she is a joy to have on site.

Amanda has come a long way since her days in the Project SEARCH program. Amanda has gained independence through employment and Project SEARCH staff is very proud of her.