Kristine’s professional journey began with a clear goal: to “explore and find out what will be my weakness and strength as a worker.” After studying Information and Computer Science, majoring in Information Security, and earning her Associate’s Degree at Leeward Community College, she took her first step into the professional world.

Her initial experience was a 10-month internship as an office assistant at DVR Kapolei on Oahu, Hawaii. Kristine candidly admits to worrying about failure and whether she could handle the tasks, especially since she hadn’t been in a work environment before. At DVR Kapolei, her responsibilities included scanning, printing, uploading documents, and reception duties.

This internship proved to be a significant period of personal growth. Kristine faced challenges dealing with various clients and learning to manage her emotions, particularly with tricky or difficult interactions. She even shared a relatable struggle: initially having trouble with a binder clip-style paper clip due to motor skills challenges associated with her disability. Despite these hurdles, she persisted and learned how to do it properly, improving “day by day.” She learned to “be strong with your emotions” in the office setting.

At the time of this interview, Kristine had been with Work Now Hawaii on Oahu, Hawaii, for eight months, initially as an Administrative Intern, before being hired as an Administrative Assistant. She continues to perform tasks like scanning, printing, and uploading documents, while also playing a vital role in assisting with VWATTS Classes, supporting the Work Readiness Coordinator with spreadsheets, and helping with Work Now Hawaii’s hotline. She values the supportive environment, stating, “I’m happy I’m working with people that are very supportive to me.”

Kristine defines success as a continuous process: “Starting from little things and improving and then don’t stop until you get to the point where you are content and you are happy. You got what you need to have to gain and to have.” She firmly believes “anyone can hold a job” and offers powerful advice to others with disabilities seeking employment: “Don’t limit yourself because of your disability. If I can do it, you can do it too.” She also strongly recommends reaching out to organizations that support disability employment.