Program Participant Spotlight: Esteban Enriquez, Work Readiness

How old are you, and how long have you been coming to the Work Readiness Program at BCS?

I’m currently 24, and I’ve been here at least a year. I can’t remember exactly when, but when I started, I was 23 or 22. 

How do you like the program?

I think it’s pretty good. I’m going to Burlington and volunteering. I’m getting experience and working with a group and doing sessions with them. I really like it. 

How many times have you helped out at Burlington?

 A lot. I go with different groups. Sometimes they switch up the groups.

What kind of stuff do you do there?

We put the shoes away: women’s men’s, and kids’. But we also sometimes work in the back room, like the storage. We organize their stuff and we put donuts on the hangers. 

Do you feel like you’ve learned a lot of work skills in the program?

I would say yes, but I feel like there’s more for me to learn here before I get a job. But so far, I’ve worked on how to dress for an interview and for work in general, how to have a positive attitude, how to be compassionate and have empathy for people. Be a team player, work in a group, be flexible. Also, being honest with yourself and learning how to do a job interview and how to do a resume. Just in general, how to do your best and also how to work hard.

Do you like the other people in the program? 

They’re all nice, they’re all kind, and they all get along with me and I get along with them. I help them out sometimes, if they need it.

How did you first find out about BCS? 

I think my mom was the one who told me about it. And then she told me it’s right near Downtown Brooklyn, and I come down here a lot. I have a deep connection to Downtown Brooklyn. 

Did you grow up near here?

I was born in Brooklyn Hospital, and I also had a school around here; it was for kindergarten when I was really small. I forgot the name of the school, but it’s a school around here.

How many days a week are you usually here?

Every day, Monday through Friday. But of course, you can take a day off, and there are special exceptions.

Do you have a favorite thing you’ve participated in in Work Readiness?

I kind of like every day. I can’t really say which one was my favorite. I would say my hardest was the mock interview and doing the resume. I feel like it was sort of the hardest because you’ve really got to think of all the information you know about yourself, like what’s your phone number, what’s your address, what’s your previous address, where you went to school. You know all this stuff, but you don’t really think about writing it down on a piece of paper and telling somebody else this kind of information. I was nervous because you want to do a good job. You want to make a positive first impression.