Patrick Harvey

Briefly describe your daily job duties.
My daily job duties at the Camelback Resort involve delivering customer service to arcade room guests and helping them redeem their tickets for prizes at the redemption counter. I’m also responsible for keeping the store stocked with prizes, inventory management, and making sure the toy crane machines are full. When I’m not at work, I’m in college pursuing my bachelor’s degree in communication studies.

As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job.
The most challenging part of my job is speaking to the guests if they need help or if I’m helping them at the redemption counter. Sometimes I get stuck on a few words but it doesn’t stop me from doing my job!

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?
Yes, when I first started the job as a regular employee, I let them know that I stutter. When it came to the end of the job interview, I told them I stutter and they were completely fine with it and didn’t judge me. To my co-workers, I just tell them I stutter, I’m not afraid to tell anyone because it’s a part of me and I don’t have any regrets about it. For my guests at work, I don’t disclose that I stutter unless I have to, but they don’t question me about it.

Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work.
Stuttering makes me a better, more valued contributor at work because it’s a part of me and I love myself for who I am. It definitely motivates me to engage in conversations with the guests and see how they’re doing. It also motivates me to keep on talking and not to feel bad if I do get stuck on a few words even when people see that I’m struggling a little bit.

What is your proudest moment at your current company?
My proudest moment at my current company is first, getting promoted a few years ago and becoming the Senior Merchandise Attendant. My best proudest moment is recently becoming the Assistant Merchandise Manager. As a person who stutters, this feels so good. It shows that no matter if we stutter, we all can accomplish and achieve anything we want to in life!!!

What are your long-term career aspirations?
My long-term career aspiration is to become a motivational speaker for people who stutter. I want to motivate everyone and let them know that stuttering is a gift and you can be anything you want to be in this world!!!

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 best advice to my stuttering family is to always let your voice be heard, you don’t have to hide your voice. Get involved and put your ideas also on the table!!! Always love yourself and accept yourself for who you are!!! You are amazing and wonderful, and you can achieve all your goals and dreams in life!!!