In the newest installment of our “10 Questions With” series, we spoke with Direct Support Professional Amanda Popp. Amanda joined Eden six months ago.
What is a typical day for you as a Direct Support Professional at Eden?
I come in and make sure that the participants have everything they need. Some days, I will be out with participants doing volunteer placements, and we will come back and do activities around the center. I like the active engagement activities. Those are super important to me. I make sure they’re doing things with their peers and other staff members, arts and crafts, and other activities as a group.
Why did you choose this career?
I wanted something that was rewarding. I had previously gone to school for surgical technology, and then I switched to funeral service, and now I’m here. All of that is so different, but I just applied on Indeed, and it felt right. I like the caregiving aspect of this and how rewarding it is, being able to take the participants out in the community, helping them with their daily tasks. The volunteer placements I go to with participants are at food banks, so I’m helping other people. I’m helping the participants as they’re helping the people coming to the food bank.
It’s marketed as a rewarding career path. It’s not easy, but it’s something where you bring other people joy, and in turn, that brings joy to yourself.
What’s the most surprising thing you learned about yourself since you started working at Eden?
I’ve always been socially anxious, but I think this job has made me come out of my shell. I can talk to people a lot better now. I worked through my social anxiety.
How do employment and volunteering help empower our participants?
It shows them that they can do anything that they set their mind to. You have a goal, and you help them get there, and they feel empowered in that way.
If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice on your first day at Eden, what would it be?
To have patience with myself because everything that had to do with this job, besides the caregiving aspect, was such a new thing for me. I was really nervous in the beginning. It’s very nerve-wracking because it’s so important. What we do or say can affect how their day goes. I would tell myself to have that confidence that I’m good. There are a billion things that might go whichever way, but you do settle into a routine of helping the participants get through their day.
What do you enjoy doing most in your time off?
I am at home with my fiancé and our two cats, Neytiri and Zuko, watching TV.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Ireland. I’ve always wanted to go there, and I love the scenery and weather.
What is your favorite season and why?
Fall. I love Halloween. I like the weather. I just love to be outside during that time of year with the leaves on the ground, and I love hot chocolate.
What do you want people to know about the participants you work with?
They’re so much more capable than some people seem to think. They have so many emotions. It’s so fun to be there with them when they have a good day or a bad day, to help them through either. It’s great to see them finally master something that has taken them some time, and I like being there for anything that they need.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Being able to make them smile, honestly. Joking around with them and helping them with something, and they get it, and they’re excited about it.