My name is Terry L. Hunter. I am a Black American, born in Washington, DC. I came to the STRIVE DC Job Training and Employment program while I was in a drug treatment facility. It was September 1999; I was 45 years old and trying to re-enter a youthful, well trained, highly educated job market.

           At first I was very skeptical that STRIVE DC could do anything for me since I have had lots of job experience. In my work career I have worked as an Air Force photographer during the Vietnam War, a special policeman, professional janitor (reaching management level), short order cook, a photo lab technician, and a small business owner (home maintenance and maid service). In 1997 I took an advanced computer-training course.

           Because of my varied work experience I thought I really understood the psychology of the job search. As I expected, STRIVE DC showed me that the mechanics of the job search are important- things like: how to prepare a good resume, how to dress properly, how not to faint or get angry during the interview(!), and the all-important showing up on time.

           But STRIVE DC taught me that what is also important is how one feels about oneself. That sounds really small and simple, but so many people including myself go into the work-day world carrying so much baggage (life's issues). I carried the baggage of my addiction and on-going recovery (self esteem issues); my lack of higher education (self esteem issues); my trying to re-enter the job market for the umpteenth time (self esteem issues); and being HIV positive (self esteem issues). I brought a lot of baggage into that class.

           STRIVE DC helped me look at these issues in my life and their relationship to my upcoming job search and employment. STRIVE DC helped me to stop feeling sorry for myself; to stop settling for less than my worth; and to stop looking for special treatment. STRIVE helped me realize that not only did I have hard skills such as my extensive knowledge of word processing and basic good sense, but I also had those soft skills that make me and everyone with a job valuable: character traits like honesty, friendliness, maturity, promptness, dependability, patience, and responsibility.

           Currently, I am employed with George Washington University in Washington, DC. My job title is Senior Secretary and I am making over $30,000 a year. I have held my job for one full year. Daily I experience the joy of an honest days pay for an honest days work, and the very personal knowledge that I am dealing with, and sometimes overcoming, my life issues.

           Today I am very much involved in my children's and grandchild's lives. I am drug free and loving it. I have had two relapses but by the grace of my God and the help of my friends I have come back both times stronger and more determined to succeed and become the man I want to be, a happy, healthy, productive member of this American society ready to meet life's ups and downs with confidence and hope.

Striving for Perfection,
Terry L. Hunter