"Everything is a process, but it’s worth it.”

July 2019 - DORS partners with the Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to offer the QUEST program, which provides mentoring opportunities within State agencies, for people with disabilities. The interns receive valuable training and experience and any many go on to paid positions in State agencies.

Keion Hardy is one such success story. Keion was referred to DORS in 2017 and enrolled in DORS’ Workforce & Technology Center’s (WTC) Office Technology Administrative Professional training program. He graduated in 2018 and learned about QUEST from WTC Employment Services Employment Specialist, Jean Preston. “I interviewed at DBM, DMV, and DLLR…I got a call back [from the Maryland Department of Labor] almost immediately, so I started on July 11, 2018!”

Initially, Keion’s internship was supposed to last for about eight weeks, “but I liked it so much, I asked to extend it.”

Keion volunteered at DBM for several months and obtained a contractual position in the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning as a Customer Service Clerk II in April of 2019. His job duties include data entry, case checking, filing, applications for tax credits, and verifying programs.

Keion is enjoying his job and being a full-time employee. “I like getting a paycheck! And, I like being part of a team.”

His advice for people with disabilities who are considering applying for DORS services is: “I tell them [apply], but be patient, everything is a process, but it’s worth it.”