Anabel Augustin

Briefly describe your daily job duties.
As a Youth Case Manager, I link the families that I work with to resources and services they need. I advocate for my families at school, court, medication management and with anything else they may need.

As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job.
The most challenging part of my job for me is speaking in meetings and during court cases.

Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? If so, how did you do it and how do you currently disclose your stuttering to unsuspecting co-workers, clients and or customers?
I did self-disclose my stuttering during the job hiring process. Before starting my formal interview for the job that I was applying for, I told the interviewer, “Before we start this interview, I wanted to let you know that I stutter which means that I sometimes block, repeat words or speak slowly to achieve my level of fluency and to not speak for me.” By self-disclosing, I was able to feel more comfortable, more confident and I did not need to rush because I was able to say exactly what I wanted to say, how i wanted to say it with blocks and all.

From my first meeting with my coworkers, I self-disclosed and explained to them how I stutter because so many people stutter differently, and I am always trying to spread awareness about stuttering.

Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work.
Stuttering makes me a better, more valued contributor at work because I am a better listener, and I am educating others about people who stutter in meetings, at court and in school settings. I am also trying my best to spread awareness about stuttering and lessening the public stigma about stuttering.

What is your proudest moment at your current company?
My proudest moment is when a family I was helping was able to obtain all the resources they needed and because of my assistance, they were able to provide for their family because a parent got a job.

What are your long-term career aspirations?
My long-term career aspiration is to be a speech-language pathologist and help children and other people who stutter.

What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success?
My advice is to stutter with power and self-disclose about your stuttering because the reason people look at individuals who stutter weirdly, chuckle, try to change the subject, and also speak for them is because many people don’t know people stutter and that people stutter differently. Self-disclosing informs them of what’s going on and because they know, the interviewer or coworker will be more patient and understanding. Don’t ever apologize for stuttering — speak freely and proudly!!!