They say when one door closes, another one opens. But it isn’t always that straightforward when employment specialists are helping refugees find jobs.

“Nothing is ever straightforward in this business,” said Employment Specialist Sarah Unowsky, acknowledging the challenges but also the rewarding moments.

Since starting her position working with HIAS refugees over four months ago, Sarah has prioritized helping secure employment for one particular refugee from The Democratic Republic of Congo. Musa**, who speaks French and Swahili, but little English, came to the US over a year ago and has had difficulty finding work.

Sarah teamed up with Ben Levinson, an intern with HIAS’ Resettlement Employment program, and they recently pushed open some doors. Ben had made cold calls to several French bakeries in Chicago, eventually landing an interview for Musa.

When Sarah and Ben learned that the bakery wanted to hire Musa, they were ecstatic. Ben met Musa at his home before his first day of work to help him learn the bus route.

“It was so exciting when Musa started working,” Sarah said. “He finally found a job a year after arriving here.”

But their gratification was short-lived. The job description didn’t match the actual work, and Musa wasn’t able to keep up with production. He was let go after a few days.

Sarah knew of another French-speaking refugee – Birame** from Senegal — who was struggling to pay his rent with his current part-time restaurant job. She arranged for Birame to interview at the bakery and he was hired immediately.

“It worked out that very day,” Sarah said. “It was actually crazy luck.”

The bakery owners have been very pleased with their new hire. And while it felt like they were starting over with Musa, Sarah sees the progress they’ve made.

“Now we have better relationships with businesses than we did when I started,” she said.

Ben and Sarah’s efforts with Musa also paid off recently when he was hired for a steward position at a casino.

“The really awesome thing about the work we get to do in career services is it’s the refugee’s win as much as it is ours,” Ben said. “We help facilitate opportunities and we help prepare resumes and interviews, but ultimately the refugee doesn’t get the job or keep the job unless he is dedicated and a hard worker and eager to learn.”