When Shawn Gillett was growing up, he enjoyed cooking with his dad.
But over the past year, he realized that his culinary goals go far beyond making the perfect barbeque ribs or chicken alfredo at home. Shawn’s dream is to become a chef.
“I want to get that white coat,” he said. “That’s the career path I want to follow.”
Shawn, 22, recently took a big step toward that dream after applying and being accepted to Columbus State Community College’s Culinary Arts program.
“This is a game changer for me,” he said. “It makes me feel proud of all the things I’ve done in my life. It makes me proud to be me.”
A graduate of Newark High School and Newark Digital Academy, Shawn has worked a variety of jobs over the years, from being a handyman and working at CSS to working at several fast food restaurants.
When he took a job in the culinary department of Denison University, he was inspired by working alongside their chef.
He called his LCBDD Transition Specialist, Jennifer Spring.
“I want to go to college,” he said. “Let’s make it happen.”
Transition Specialists (or TSs) are specifically focused on helping people supported by LCBDD — who are between 13 and 24 years old — prepare for life after high school by connecting them with resources related to employment, post-secondary education and driving.
Jennifer began helping Shawn research different programs and connected him with A Call to College, a college access organization that partners with Newark City Schools.
Because Shawn is a Newark High School graduate, he is eligible for some of their services as an alumnus. Not only could they assist with his FAFSA application but he was eligible for a Last Dollar Grant to help fund his education.
Shawn and Jennifer decided to attend an information night at Columbus State to learn more about their culinary program.
By the time they left, Shawn knew that was where he wanted to go. Students in the program have significant opportunities to have apprenticeships and get hands-on experience in Columbus restaurants.
He was thrilled when he found out he was accepted to the two-year program and can’t wait to start in August.
In the meantime, he has a job working for a local food truck company.
“You can see how excited he is about this,” Jennifer said.
Shawn said he wants to share his story to show other people with autism and other developmental disabilities what is possible.
“Look at me, I’m going to college!” he said. “Just because you have a diagnosis doesn’t mean that you aren’t capable of doing great things.”