[Palm trees frame the red brick entrance to the Audubon Zoo] 


[Wilbert]: When I was in elementary school



I went to Audubon Zoo and met
my favorite animal for the first time:



Giraffe!



I was scared at first but the
zookeeper assured me



that it wouldn't eat me.



[Wilbert with backdrop of two giraffes, one leans down just above his head.]




Ever since then I told myself that
 I wanted to work at the zoo.



I have been working as a
zookeeper for nine months



and I love it!



[Wilbert beside a flock of pink flamingos.]



Here's how I got to work
at a job that I love.


[Wilbert in uniform. In the background life-size elephant figures.]



- Hi my name is Wilbert Johnson



and I have an intellectual disability.



I believe every person
with a disability



should have the opportunity to work.


[Wilbert walking with his dad.]


I was afraid that I would be
discriminated against



because of my disability.



Other people would tell me that



no one would hire me
because of my disability.



But my dad told me
not to let those doubts



get to me because
having a disability shouldn't



stop me from working.



Ever since he told me that
I felt like I can do anything.



Hearing other people's doubts
just motivated me



to try even harder
to show them I can do it.



[Photo of Wilbert in cap and gown with diploma]



The foundation for my
journey toward employment



was a transition program
I took in college.



This program helps people with disabilities
get a job on their own.



I already had some skills
but I gained even more tools



to become independent.



During the transition program
I went to a job fair



at a local university to see what



companies were hiring.



I was surprised to see the
Audubon Zoo was there.



The guest services manager
said he saw something in me.



A couple of days later
I was interviewed for a position.



The transition program taught me to
dress business casual,



to bring my resume,
and to come with a smile.



[Wilbert flashes a smile]




I was nervous but I got
 prepared for the interview



ahead of time and I got hired
 right on the spot!


[Photo of Wilbert smiling with paycheck in hand.]


You deserve to get a job
 that you enjoy



and get paid for.



Here are three tips if you are
unsure about where to start.



[Wilbert with backdrop of elephants spraying water from curled trunks.]



♫♫♫



Tip #: Have faith in yourself.



I was a little nervous and that's okay.



Just remember to believe in yourself.



Tip #: Speak with a career counselor.



See if there are any
programs out there



like a transition program
that can teach you



the tools on how to
prepare for a job.



Tip #: Search for jobs.



Look out for any job fairs
that are going on in your area.



You don't have to know
what you wanna do yet,



but it is great to
look around to see what



you might be interested in.



I took a leap of faith
by participating in



the transition program
and attending the job fair!



Those risks paid off
because I was recently



promoted to be a
carousel operator



which I love so much!




[Wilbert with a co-worker at the controls of a carousel featuring dozens of brightly colored zoo animals.  




I get to train other coworkers
on how to work the carousel.



Later on in the future



I see myself being
a supervisor at the zoo.




[Wilbert poses proudly gesturing to his name badge.]



Be excited and don't get
discouraged if things don't work out.



You never know what kind of 
opportunities are out there until you try.



For more tips on
how to prepare for a job,



check out my list at
 RootedinRights.org/WillingtoWork.



Written and directed by Wilbert Johnson.



Special thanks to Lauren Griffiths,



Wilbert Johnson, Sr., 
and the Audubon Zoo.



For more videos from
storytellers like me,



visit RootedinRights.org/Storytellers.