Virtual to Reality: Damian’s Dream Big Journey
Damian's connection with Dream Big began in 2020, when he was just 14 years old and entering his freshman year of high school. That summer, Career Camp was held entirely online, but Damian's curiosity about his future, especially in graphic design, was wide open.
From his living room, Damian explored a world of possibilities. Camp introduced him to industries as varied as aerospace, science, healthcare, technology, finance, construction, consumer goods, and hospitality.
He quickly discovered that each of these fields had roles for graphic designers. Learning about video game design with the professionals at Riot Games topped his list.
Previous years meant taking home swag each day after a company visit. For virtual Camp, our dedicated partner companies rose to the new challenge.
Virtual Camp in 2020: Damian and other Campers, corporate partners, and Camp staff still manage a silly group photo over Zoom.
They sent a ton of extra swag, along with materials the students needed for their hands-on projects, that the Dream Big team carefully packaged and delivered right to campers' front doors.
His favorite part of that summer still makes him smile: "Getting all the goodies from the companies before you, the camper, got to meet them virtually via Zoom and such."
Over the next few years, Damian stayed focused on school, occasionally checking in with Dream Big about graphic design events. Then, this past spring, a Dream Big Camp interest form was submitted with a note that caught our attention:
"Damian was part of Dream Big during COVID and didn't get to tour the companies. He is very interested in being able to attend in person this time."
Dream Big Coordinator Danielle Giuffrida met with Damian to reconnect. By then, he had finished his first year at Maryville University and, while still undeclared, his career interests were becoming more focused. Graphic design and video games were still on his mind, but now he wanted to understand the specifics of different career paths.
The opportunity to connect with professionals in person with Dream Big was exactly what Damian needed.
This summer, Damian didn't just attend one Dream Big Career Camp—he joined two. He met professionals face-to-face, toured company headquarters, and took part in hands-on experiences across multiple industries.
During their visit to Nestlé Purina, Campers had fun with ice breakers. Building a network of peers, people with disabilities navigating the similar barriers, is a key part of SDI’s programs and increases candidates’ self-confidence.
"In person was fun because you got to see the building and talk with people in front of you instead of being on a computer," Damian shared.
At the end of Camp, Damian presented his experiences to peers, parents, and SDI staff. He spoke about how his visit to World Wide Technology broadened his thinking. While video game design is still a strong interest, he's now considering other roles in tech he hadn't known about before.
Reflecting on his journey with Dream Big from 2020 to now, Damian summed it up simply: "My overall experience was fun at both camps from 2020 to 2025, but always very different. If I could define it in one word from 2020 to 2025… I would pretty much say 'Different.'"
From his first summer online to hands-on career exploration in person, Damian's path shows the power of connection, opportunity, and growth. All of us at SDI are excited to see where he goes next, and we'll be here to cheer him on and support him, just as we do for each of our candidates discovering their own career journeys.
Campers explored tech careers with our partners at World Wide Technology. Students got hands-on in a simulation of a cyber attack, playing the role of hacker or IT security responder, led by cyber security experts at WWT.
