Follow Your Dreams

Authors: Tali French-Burton, E4Texas Graduate

Hi, my name is Tali. I have an amazing story to share with you. I am 19 years old. I didn’t know I wanted to be a paraprofessional until my senior year of high school. It really took a lot of work to find my forever dream job. I have been visually impaired my whole life. I had a teacher for the visually impaired my entire time in school, up until graduation. Once I figured out what I wanted to do, I looked for a program where I could get a certification as a paraprofessional. The program I found is called E4Texas, and it is at the University of Texas, Austin campus.

Before I went to E4Texas, I went to the JOBS program offered through the Texas Workforce Commission. It lasted 3 weeks. In this program, you live in an apartment with a roommate. You have a job and a job coach to help you at your work site. This helped me to learn my job duties and problem-solve situations as needed. I learned how to be more independent with laundry and cooking, and we also had to learn how to use Google Maps and travel in Austin using public transportation. All these things were very beneficial to my success in the next stage of my life. 

Once I finished JOBS, I applied to the E4Texas Program. I had to fill out an application and then be interviewed by 3 staff members from the E4Texas Program. I was accepted into the program! I moved into a dorm at UT. In the program, we learned many valuable skills for independent living, such as budgeting, healthy relationship skills, and how to navigate Capital Metro (for anyone who has had to learn this, you know it isn’t easy)! We learned how to make a resume and practiced our interviewing skills. The program also required classroom lectures 4 hours per day with specific classes for paraprofessionals, child care providers, and personal care attendants. We had volunteer hours that we had to complete each semester. The program was 3 semesters long. We did a lot of work, but we also had fun, going to movies, eating out, bowling, and just playing board games in the dorm with friends.

Move-in Day at the Dobie dorm

During the third semester, we had to complete an internship of 135 hours or more.  We had to interview for the positions, and we had to plan for travel, whether by walking to the site, using Metro access, or using Capital Metro. We were expected to arrive at work on time and pack lunches as needed. I chose Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) as my internship. I was well prepared through the paraprofessional track at E4Texas.

Now, I am excited to share that I will be working as a substitute at TSBVI for the coming school year and have my own apartment where I can continue to access public transportation. 

As a student with a visual impairment, high school was challenging. The thought of going to college was scary. I am glad I went to JOBS first and then, through the encouragement of my family and TWC counselor, I agreed to apply to E4Texas. I encourage all people with disabilities to set high goals, seek support, work hard, and find that dream job. You can do it! You may have to work twice as hard, but you can do it!

Tali celebrates graduation from E4Texas.