At work, Leif Larez-Carvajal is known for being both fast and focused—two traits that combine to make him a valued employee at Intercon, Inc., a custom cable assembly and wire harness manufacturer based in Forest, Virginia, where he works full-time as an Electronics Assembly Technician.
When Leif joined the Intercon team in January 2024, it was the latest step in a path he began paving while still in high school. During his senior year, Leif, who has autism, participated in a variety of pre-employment transition services offered by Virginia’s Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). These included work-based learning experiences as well as opportunities to strengthen communication, social, and other “soft” skills necessary for success in the workforce.
During that time, Leif’s interest in and aptitude for computers and information technology (IT) really came to light. Following graduation, his vocational rehabilitation counselor recommended him for DARS’ Pathways to Careers (Pathways) program. Funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Pathways helps Virginians with disabilities explore and train for careers in high-growth industries, including science, technology, engineering, math, and health care (STEM-H).
Through Pathways, Leif completed CompTIA IT Fundamentals+, a 30-hour training program offered by DARS through a partnership with Intellectual Point, a Virginia-based IT company. He also explored a range of occupations aligned with his interests and skills to help him succeed over the long term. Leif, who is originally from Venezuela, also worked with Pathways’ English as a Second Language (ESOL) specialist. She provided interpretation services when needed and assessed his English skills to guide the next steps in his employment preparation process. Through this integrated approach, Leif gained not only new technical skills but also increased independence and confidence in communicating and interacting with others.
When Leif’s vocational rehabilitation counselor learned about the job opening at Intercon, he immediately thought about Leif and helped him apply. He also connected Leif with a bilingual job coach who assisted him during onboarding and training.
Leif says that working at Intercon has been a great experience and that he likes his co-workers. The feeling is mutual; in fact, his supervisor has praised his work performance, calling him a “superstar.” That said, Leif continues to look ahead. His future plans include continuing to study English and eventually attending Central Virginia Community College to pursue a career in graphic design and computer programming. It’s an exciting path forward—and one for which he has already built a strong foundation.