When Candice Farley first connected with Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB) in late 2024, she had explored classes, considered remote work and weighed different paths, but nothing quite fit.

"I struggled for a long time figuring out what to do and how to put my skills to use," Candice said. With a wide range of interests and an uncertain job direction, choosing a next step felt daunting. Living with retinitis pigmentosa and a limited visual field presented further complications.

For Candice, one of the most valuable parts of working with SSB was having a counselor to talk with her through possibilities – someone who could listen, offer feedback and help turn a general goal into an actionable plan. That plan came into focus through a pharmacy technician training program delivered by Thryv Consulting. Candice nearly dismissed the program out of hand – she had no pharmacy background and wasn't sure she'd be a good fit. But when an SSB counselor followed up personally, Candice decided to give it a try.

In the Thryv classroom, she connected with a cohort of fellow students and an instructor whose energy and encouragement kept everyone engaged. The program itself prepares students for pharmacy jobs and to pursue state certification.

Today, Candice is a pharmacy technician at the CVS in Hastings, a busy store with a drive-through and a MinuteClinic. Starting out, the pace was intimidating, especially because this was her first conventional job. Candice remembers feeling anxious and afraid, worried she might be the "weakest link" on the team. But she kept showing up, learning the workflow and building confidence. Six months in, she feels proud not just of what she's learned, but of the persistence it took to get there and of what she brings to the team.

Candice also navigates practical challenges related to her vision, like being able to spot a customer's hand extended with a payment card or avoiding step stools that sit just below her field of vision. Still, she approaches the environment the way she approaches her work: learning it thoroughly and adapting quickly. Just as importantly, she credits a supportive team for helping her grow. Her lead technician played a key role in training, and over time Candice has felt herself becoming part of the group.

SSB and Vocational Rehabilitation Services at DEED are proud to build partnerships like this one with CVS that match qualified job seekers with positions in high growth fields.

More information about SSB's services can be found on the SSB website.