Today we’d like to introduce you to Amari Owens.
Hi Amari, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, I’m Amari and my story began in January of 2020. I had given birth to my son in November of the previous year and Covid-19 hit and affected the whole world. As a new mom and sophomore at The University of Memphis, my main goal was to continue to attend college, tend to my responsibilities as a mom, and provide for my son, however, life took a turn of its own. In April of the same year, I was faced with an eviction notice and laid off from my job all within the same week and I was devastated. I picked up a job as a janitor and started saving what I could but once I realized I’d never come up with the rent money I started saving money for a hotel room instead.
Determined to find another home I continued to work as a janitor at various warehouses but begin to stick to one warehouse in Southaven once classes started. With me having the full financial responsibility of paying for a hotel weekly, feeding my son and myself along with many other things I noticed that I was spending more than I could save and I needed to think of another plan. In the warehouse I worked in there is a small company in the back called Zimmer Biomet and I would go clean their breakroom and take out their trash every day, but one day I decided I would ask a manager or supervisor if I could apply for a job considering that I needed a higher source of income. I explained that I am a college student and a parent and would need to work a shift that would fit my schedule and in return, I was informed about the company’s internship program.
Since then, I’ve become the first African American intern at that location in Southaven, Ms. I’ve participated in food giveaways and even made networks where people all over the globe who works for the company know my story. I graduate in December with a bachelor’s in communication and will be eligible to work for the corporate communication department once I have my degree. Although I’ve put a lot of hard work into this company over the past year, I’ve also learned to always follow my dreams outside of the job I work for. I’ve always wanted to be a fashion model and I was recently selected to model in Los Angeles for Fashion Week!
I wanted to share this story because there are a lot of moms who need to know that it’s okay to not know what’s going to happen next in our lives because sometimes that blurry vision of our journey is adjusting us for a more precise view of it. I worked as a janitor and slept in hotels with my six-month-old thinking there was no way out of the situation but it’s not about the situation it’s about what we do with the emotions that come with it. I took the pain fear and anger and used them as fuel to keep me going every day and I hope my story inspires others who want better but don’t see better just yet.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some of the struggles were missing moments with my son when I had to leave him for work or focus on school. I survived domestic violence and depression, and I lost two grandparents during this journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work for an orthopedics company in medical instrumentation. When surgeons conduct a procedure there are certain medical instruments used to assist with the objective of the surgery. When the surgery is done the hospital sends it to us I micro-verify the tray the items came in and place them into holding for another surgery. I know how to build these trays from scratch, reconfigure them, and identify what components belong in specific trays.
I am most proud of my determination to learn more and expand my skills outside of the standard job description. I started working for this company in May of last year and have worked in every warehouse department. What sets me apart from others is what I accomplished as an intern with the company. I participated in company and warehouse projects I’ve written newsletters and other forms of communication for the company’s employee resource group and so much more.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Determination, time- management, courage, outspokenness, and open-mindedness.
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