Joe Kingdom is a successful Administrative Assistant at Enable. Joe has a learning disability; this means he requires learning support to understand things at his own pace. So, he decided to join the Breaking Barriers Programme, an initiative that supports people with disabilities to find jobs in the UK. Through the programme, the enroled students attend a Business School and receive an accredited qualification upon completion of the programme. 

The Enable team worked with Joe to develop his CV as well as his interviewing and other social skills. Shortly after Joe started applying for many jobs. But how did he end up becoming an Administrative Assistant?

As our next Humans of EASPD feature, Joe takes us through his journey of leaving higher education and entering the job market.

What is your job, and do you enjoy it?

Joe: I work as an Administrative Assistant in the Legal and Corporate Governance Team of Enable and I love my job! My everyday tasks include working on Excel, updating data bases, sorting emails and making schedules. I have to be very organised and make sure I plan my day well.

I have to point out though, I do enjoy working on excel spreadsheets. I know a lot of people find it boring, but for me it’s a fun task! I learnt how to be disciplined and manage my time well through this position.

Can you share your journey of becoming an administrative assistant?

Joe: Yes, absolutely. I found a permanent job through the Breaking Barriers Programme, an initiative started by Enable.

However, before the Breaking Barriers programme, I was studying at a different university. Unfortunately, I had a bad experience, so I decided to stop doing the course. Following this, I started receiving employment support from Enable and I had a job coach at the time, Emma Martin. She told me a spot was available in the Breaking Barriers programme, but I was not too keen on enroling myself due to my previous education experience. To my surprise, the Director at the time convinced me that I would love the course — the rest is history!

Through the programme, I went to a Business School in the UK and finished one semester with full support from Enable. I attended lectures, finished assignments and even had a senior from 4th year of Business School who supported me through these lectures. If I can be honest, it was a completely different experience than I expected.

Eventually I worked at ScottishPower as an administrative assistant in their Humans Resources team for a few months. This placement in a company was part of the Breaking Barriers Programme.

Getting that work experience made me realise I enjoy being an administrative assistant and shortly after I found a permanent job at Enable. It’s been 4 years, and I am still here, enjoying my job!

How important is your job for you?

Joe: It is very important for me. It gives me a reason to get out of my bed in the morning. When you are young, and you don’t have too many opportunities, it is important to hang on to what you like to do. For example, I did not like university, so doing a job was clearly the path for me. It has been liberating for me.

I also really like going to the office. I am more focussed and don’t have too many distractions. I like an office environment.

In my role, I also have opportunities to grow. For example, I am currently enroled in a paralegal course that I am doing at work to improve my skills and knowledge. I keep learning new things and never really get bored at my job.

What are some of your big achievements?

Joe: Actually, a few weeks back I cycled from London to Paris to fundraise for Enable and Cyclists Fighting Cancer. We raised a total of £2,515. Don’t get me wrong, it was hard but, I enjoyed it. It’s a huge accomplishment for me.

Would you recommend the Breaking barriers programme?

Joe: Oh definitely, 100 percent — in a heartbeat. It has been such a confidence booster for me. Before the Breaking Barriers programme, I was a nervous wreck. If I was in a room full of people, I would just not be able to talk to anyone. But now I can go into a room of 40 people and talk to each one of them. I learnt many social skills during the programme! It has changed my life, and I am grateful for this.