Even after a wide-ranging career and extensive education, people can still benefit from some support and encouragement while they figure out what’s next. Such is the case for Naja, who was referred to Work Opportunities Unlimited (WOU) in January 2025, for help returning to the workplace. With his Career Resource Specialist Khio Thoueithaisong by his side, Naja’s quality of life vastly improved and he is excited for his future!
Khio dedicates her days to breaking down the barriers of employment for people with disabilities, so she was ready and willing to help Naja get back to work, but as she says, “When Naja came into services and I read his referral, I thought to myself, ‘How am I supposed to help him? He’s smarter than anyone I know.’” Naja has a Master’s degree in Science and a PhD in Polymer Science and Plastic Engineering. His experience includes jewelry repair, conducting research, teaching chemistry, nuclear chemistry, database development, and web design. He obtained a pharmacy tech certificate and worked in a pharmacy. Then, Naja’s career path was interrupted, and he was out of work for years.
Each week, Khio and Naja met to explore opportunities in his desired fields. “Naja’s two main goals were pharmacy technician or teaching, so we started our job search focused on that,” shares Khio. “We ran into a few barriers, however. For instance, all of the teaching positions required Naja’s school transcripts, and it took 6 months before he finally received them.” There was a pharmacy technician opening that Naja interviewed for, but he was not offered the role. “Naja has the gift of gab,” Khio says, so the two practiced common interview questions and conducted mock interviews to help him stay on topic. She adds, “He can be very hard on himself, but Naja has a huge heart, and he has determination.” He also was very motivated to begin working. As Naja states, “I found myself telling Khio, ‘I just want to work!’” Since his very first job was helping in the deli at his father’s store as a little boy, and he worked in the deli department at a Stop and Shop grocery store approximately 20 years ago, an opening in the deli department at Naja’s local Stop and Shop seemed like the perfect place to start. Khio helped set up an interview for Naja, and he got the job in August 2025! Naja assists customers, slices meat and cheese, and cleans the work area and equipment. He has begun cross training to work in the store’s bakery department as well.
Naja was happy to be working and earning money, but he and Khio continued pursuing his career goals. While attending a job fair, Khio had an informative conversation with a representative of Middlesex Community College in Lowell, MA, which offers a Pharmacy Technician certification program. She recalls, “I explained that I was there in search of a pharmacy tech position for a client of mine and we hadn’t had much luck. She said that the program would be a great way to get his foot in the door, and it’s grant-funded, so it was a win-win.” Khio shared what she’d learned with Naja and encouraged him to register. Naja agreed it was the best pathway to his goal, and he began the 60-hour course followed by an 80-hour externship in a retail pharmacy setting to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. In December 2025, Naja will wrap up his externship program and then train at a Walgreens pharmacy!
With Khio’s support, Naja is thriving. He says, “So far there have been so many improvements in my life. I’m not intimidated about the prospect of work, my health has dramatically improved, and I make extra money to do the things I am most passionate about. Khio kept me informed, motivated me when I thought I wanted to stop, and just kept encouraging me until I was working. I would love to thank Khio and Work Opportunities Unlimited for helping me with actually making my life so much better, fuller, and more productive. Honestly, in the grand scheme of things, I’m experiencing a lot more self-respect and that’s really nice to know.”
Naja has officially closed out services with WOU as of November 2025, and Khio is confident that he’ll remain successful. Naja says, “Thank you for everything you have given me, Khio and company…I recommend them to anyone wanting to get a job, and keep it. The steps I have been through were never more than I could handle. They just keep moving you closer and closer to a goal. A new place in life, no more experiencing the game of life from the sidelines!” WOU wishes you the best, Naja!
