Madelynn is a young woman with a passion for animals and a dream of working independently. Over the past three years, she has progressed from a high-school junior in the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program at Carroll High School in Fort Wayne to a graduate who has secured her first job.
Starting Her Journey
Madelynn’s employment journey began in December 2022, when an Easterseals Northeast Indiana staff member met with her parents to introduce the Pre-ETS program and set early goals.
Over the next two and a half years, Madelynn participated in more than 800 documented Pre-ETS sessions. Those sessions focused on workplace readiness, self-advocacy, job-exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences, and instruction in self-advocacy to help her prepare for life after high school.
Building Workplace Skills
Pre-ETS staff worked with Madelynn one-on-one and in small groups to build the foundational skills she would need for adult life. She completed practice job applications, learned to differentiate between part-time and full-time shifts, built a list of references, and drafted her first résumé by capturing her volunteer experience. She also practiced interview questions, learned about appropriate workplace attire through interactive activities, and worked on budgeting, decision-making, and money management through real-world tasks like grocery shopping with a recipe list.
Discovering Her Passion
A clear theme emerged early: Madelynn loves animals. In October 2024, she volunteered at a local animal shelter, where she helped prepare cat treats, toured the medical area, and engaged respectfully with shelter staff. She identified pet groomer, zookeeper, and animal shelter worker as careers she wanted to pursue. Pre-ETS staff researched grooming, veterinary, and shelter opportunities, and helped her schedule job tours and shadowing experiences aligned with her interests.
Self-Advocacy and Confidence
Pre-ETS experiences helped Madelynn grow in self-awareness and confidence. She led a presentation to peers and staff on “how magic can be beneficial for mental health,” practicing public speaking and sharing her own interests. As she considered potential career fields, she completed values-exploration activities to better understand what mattered to her in a job.
She passed out thank-you cards to teachers at graduation, took pride in expressing appreciation, and reflected on her own strengths (problem-solving and adaptability) alongside areas to grow (time management and communication).
Senior Year and Transition Planning
During her senior year, Madelynn attended her Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, her quarterly team meeting, and her final annual case review meeting. She also completed her senior portfolio, reflecting on her Pre-ETS experiences and the skills she had gained.
Madelynn’s family expressed both excitement and concern about the transition out of high school after graduation in May 2025, and the team began planning for adult Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services.
The Next Chapter: Employment Services
In October 2025, Madelynn transitioned into adult supported employment services. Easterseals Northeast Indiana continued as her provider, a smooth handoff her family specifically requested. Her new employment specialists began VR discovery, getting to know Madelynn’s interests, skills, and goals.
Real-World Job Exploration
Discovery quickly turned into action. Madelynn and her employment specialist toured and applied at locations matched to her interests: PetSmart, Pet Supplies Plus, Lighthouse Store, Uncle Bill’s Pet Store, the humane society, Crazy Pinz, Jungle George’s, Sweetwater, Combat Ops, Sky Zone, David’s Bridal, Carter’s, Five Below and Shoe Carnival.
She practiced filling out applications on-site, called employers to follow up on her application status and prepared for interviews.
Working Through Challenges
The road wasn’t always smooth. There were tough days: a meeting cut short due to behavior, frustrations during job searches, and the disappointment of positions being filled. But Madelynn and her team kept showing up. Her employment specialist communicated openly with her father, set clear expectations, and used each setback as a teaching moment. Madelynn learned to apologize, refocus, and keep moving forward.
The Win
After months of persistence, applications and interview practice, Madelynn landed an interview for a cashier position at Five Below. With her résumé complete, her skills sharpened, and her team behind her, Madelynn got the job — her first paid employment!
From a shy high school junior who had never filled out an application, she is now a working adult earning a paycheck.
Working at Five Below
During her afternoon shifts at Five Below, Madelynn tells customers where to find specific items and directs them to the self-checkout registers when they finish shopping.
“I stand right here and keep an eye on things,” she said. “That is basically it. Occasionally they will put me on ‘go-backs.’”
Customers often pick up goods and put them down somewhere else as they shop. Sometimes Madelynn needs to make sure misplaced merchandise “goes back” where it belongs.
She’s still a trainee but already enjoys the work.
“It is hectic, but I like it because the people are friendly,” she said. “The coworkers are more friendly and more talkative.”
What This Means
Madelynn’s success is the product of years of consistent, individualized support buoyed by her own determination. The seamless continuum from Pre-ETS to adult employment services made it possible for her to keep building on the same foundation, with familiar supports and a unified plan.
Madelyn’s story shows what is possible when a young person with a disability is given time, opportunity, and a team that believes in her potential.