When Hussam arrived in Rutland nearly eight years ago, he brought with him not only his family and a deep sense of hope but also a dream to continue to build his career. Back home in Syria, Hussam worked as an accountant before conflict forced his family to flee to Turkey, where they lived before being resettled in Vermont.
Originally bound for Los Angeles, Hussam received a last-minute call from the UN letting him know that he and his family would instead be starting their new lives in Rutland. “It was a big change,” he said with a laugh, recalling the surprise need for winter clothes. Today, he and his wife are raising three children and are grateful to call Rutland home. “It’s quiet, nice, and full of kind people,” he shared.
When Hussam first arrived, he worked early mornings at a local bakery and attended classes at the Community College of Vermont (CCV) in the evenings. His dedication paid off when he earned his accounting certificate, a step that opened new doors for his professional future. After a year working at Rutland’s Longfellow School, Hussam received an offer from Casella Waste Systems’ tax department. “I’m so excited to be part of such a great company,” he said. “My team is amazing.”
At Casella, Hussam quickly impressed his colleagues with his work ethic and eagerness to learn. Laurel, his supervisor, shared that Hussam began as a part-time team member but quickly advanced to full-time. “He’s incredibly thorough and motivated,” she said. “He learns fast and is always ready to take on something new.”
Linguistic barriers were present despite Hussam’s strong work ethic, so Casella offered to connect him with VAL to support his continued growth. Working with his teacher, Rebecca, Hussam has strengthened his English, improved his professional communication, and gained confidence. Through their work together, Hussam has improved his pronunciation and expanded his industry-specific vocabulary. “It’s made a big difference at work,” he said.
“It’s been pure delight working with Hussam,” Rebecca shared. “I wouldn’t have had the opportunity, though, if it weren’t for Casella, whose leadership team has been involved with Hussam’s success since the beginning. I feel that their support of Hussam has not only benefited the company (and Hussam, of course) but also Rutland as a whole, since Hussam’s professional skills and communicative abilities enhance his leadership in the community. At Vermont Adult Learning, we often think about the community’s role in workforce development, but this story makes me reflect on the reciprocal role that employers have in ‘citizen development.’ I’d say Casella sets a real example in that regard.”
“Hussam is always exuding happiness and gratitude, no matter what the mood in the room is,” Laurel praised. “He’s really pleasant to have as part of the team, and it affects our team culture in such a positive way.”
That progress showed when Hussam represented Casella at a tax convention in Chicago, an opportunity that once might have felt intimidating. “He prepared with Rebecca in advance,” Laurel said. “She’s very proactive about what she wants to teach him and is often learning complex tax information herself to do so. Hussam was able to participate in the conference confidently and get real value from the experience.”
Complementary to his work with VAL, Hussam continues to advance his studies at CCV, now taking courses in managerial and intermediate accounting. His dedication has not gone unnoticed, as he was recently a finalist for the national Sales Tax Nerd of the Year award through the Sales Tax Institute.
“VAL has filled the gaps we were able to identify and come up with a good plan to help Hussam succeed. He has overcome more than most of us ever will,” said Laurel. “He’s truly an inspiration.”
In addition to speaking with us for this story, Hussam also took the time to thoughtfully write about his experience with VAL:
My name is Hussam, and I am working at Casella as a Tax Accountant. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my experience. Joining Vermont Adult Learning has been one of the best decisions for my career and personal growth. I am still learning at the center, and I have class twice a week with my teacher, Rebecca. She has been an incredible support, and I am so excited to continue learning more with her. I also want to thank Laurel, who gave me this great opportunity, as well as Tom and my company, Casella, for supporting my progress and development. I am very grateful for their Encouragement.
Through Vermont Adult Learning, I have improved my pronunciation and now feel more confident when I speak. I also learned how to write professional emails, which helps me at work. In addition, I gained academic and technical vocabulary and background concepts that prepared me for conferences and helped me understand tax law. This was especially useful when I attended the Sales and Use Tax course in Chicago. I have also improved my grammar and reading skills, which are important for understanding tax laws and regulations.
Overall, this program has been a valuable experience for my professional growth, and I look forward to learning even more.
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