Building Bonds and Breaking Barriers: Clarissa & Ziyu's Journey at Hatch

Meet Zi Yu and Clarissa, two friends who met through Hatch’s Train-and-Place Immersive in Social Media Marketing (TPSM), supported by SGEnable. Their story is one of friendship, community, and the important role such relationships play in a classroom setting.

At Hatch Academy, we have learned that transformation happens when we create the right environment. Through our years of experience working with diverse learners, we've seen how customized support and community can make all the difference. Ziyu’s and Clarissa’s story in our Train-and-Place program in Social Media Marketing (TPSM) is a powerful reminder of the importance of community and how learning in an environment that celebrates individuality can lead to personal growth.

A Passion for Creativity and Growth

Ziyu is someone who has always been drawn to the world of art and design. Inspired by the captivating visuals of Studio Ghibli films, Ziyu began a journey that took her from ITE to Polytechnic, and now to Hatch’s TPSM. "I joined the Hatch program because my internship supervisor told me about it," she explains. "I thought I could learn new skills that could complement my design background. With so many businesses now using social media to promote themselves creatively, I wanted to explore how I could apply my skills in this area."

For Ziyu, joining Hatch wasn’t just about acquiring technical skills; it was about finding a space where she could grow comfortably at her own pace, despite the challenges she faces due to her condition. Ziyu has Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that affects her ability to communicate verbally. "It’s been a long journey learning how to navigate life with this condition," she shares. "There are days when it’s frustrating because I know what I want to say, but the words just don’t come out the way I intend. But I’ve learned to communicate in my own way."

The trainers and team at Hatch played a crucial role in Ziyu’s journey, providing the necessary accommodations to support her learning. "The Hatch team made me feel comfortable and allowed me to work at my own pace," she recalls. "They provided supportive feedback and didn’t make any harsh comments, which helped me improve gradually. The accessibility support, like captions and being willing to communicate with me through text, made all the difference."

For Ziyu, joining Hatch wasn’t just about acquiring technical skills; it was about finding a space where she could grow comfortably at her own pace, despite the challenges she faces due to her condition. Ziyu has Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that affects her ability to communicate verbally. "It’s been a long journey learning how to navigate life with this condition," she shares. "There are days when it’s frustrating because I know what I want to say, but the words just don’t come out the way I intend. But I’ve learned to communicate in my own way."

The trainers and team at Hatch played a crucial role in Ziyu’s journey, providing the necessary accommodations to support her learning. We heard from Ziyu about Cardzilla, an app that lets you type your questions and responses in big text. Everyone, from the trainers to the Hatch team and fellow learners, downloaded the app, making it easy for us to communicate. To make sure everyone felt included during meals, we avoided talking out loud and used the app to chat, so Ziyu could stay part of the conversation. In class, we also made sure Ziyu sat close to the trainers, which made it easier for her to ask questions and get clarifications directly from them. "The Hatch team made me feel comfortable and allowed me to work at my own pace," she recalls. "They provided supportive feedback and didn’t make any harsh comments, which helped me improve gradually. The accessibility support, like captions and being willing to communicate with me through text, made all the difference."

A Friendship That Transformed the Learning Experience

Ziyu’s experience at Hatch was further enriched by the unexpected friendship she formed with Clarissa. Initially, Ziyu felt apprehensive about her ability to connect with others, given her unique communication needs. IIn the past, many people found it difficult to talk to her since they had to type out their responses, which could be slow and bothersome. Because of this, she tended to be quite shy and often stayed by herself. However, Clarissa’s openness and patience quickly eased those concerns. "We usually sat and ate lunch together every day," Ziyu shares. "Clarissa was patient and willing to communicate with me differently, which really impressed me. I started to look forward to classes because I knew I had someone to share my experiences with." In addition to typing patiently with Cardzilla, whenever Ziyu looks confused during chats, Clarissa takes the time to explain what’s been said in other conversations so she can feel included. Besides that, when captions are accidentally switched off during class, she would quickly speak up to let the trainers know.

On the orientation day, Clarissa initiated contact with Ziyu by inviting her to have lunch together. Since then, their friendship grew organically, from shared lunches to walking to the bus stop together after class and even dinner after training. What began as a simple act of kindness from Clarissa turned into a deep bond that made Ziyu feel more connected and motivated. "During my first and second weeks of lessons, I felt like I was just attending classes and going home without really interacting with anyone," Ziyu admits. "But over time, Clarissa and I grew closer, and I started to enjoy my time at Hatch much more."

Clarissa, on the other hand, found that this friendship was just as transformative for her. As someone who was initially shy and unsure about her place in the program, she discovered a sense of purpose in being there for Ziyu. “When I first met Ziyu, I could tell she felt a bit out of place, just like I did. Inviting her to lunch that day was as much for me as it was for her,” Clarissa admits.

‍

Overcoming Challenges with Community Support

The supportive environment at Hatch extends beyond individual friendships. The entire community rallied around Ziyu as she faced the challenges of finding a job after completing the program. "I was anxious about finding a suitable job because of my unconventional communication style, which relies on typing," Ziyu explains. "But the Hatch team was always there for me. They helped me apply for jobs and even accompanied me to interviews for moral support."

The transition from training to the workplace can be daunting, not just for learners but also for employers. It introduces a new environment where both sides must learn to communicate effectively and adapt to each other's needs. At Hatch, we take proactive steps to ease this transition and set both parties up for success. During the program, our trainers play a vital role by offering learners valuable context about the industry and workplace expectations, helping them gain a deeper understanding of the industry and equipping them with the confidence to navigate real-world challenges effectively. Before the learner starts their role, we meet with the employer to explain how to best support and communicate with the specific learner, tailoring guidance to their unique needs. Importantly, this information is also extended to the entire team, fostering a more inclusive and understanding workplace. For learners, we help create structures for communication, such as implementing daily check-out notes and weekly task completion lists to be shared with the supervisor. These systems not only enhance the learner's confidence but also provide employers with clarity and assurance, establishing a foundation of trust and mutual understanding. By promoting open communication and facilitating collaboration, we support inclusive hiring practices that lead to better outcomes for both individuals and organisations.

This level of support gave Ziyu the confidence to step out of her comfort zone and pursue opportunities she might have otherwise avoided. "Without them, I don’t think I would have applied for any jobs anytime soon," she says. "Their support helped me break out of my fear and just go for it."

We also noticed their special bond developing from the start. When Zi Yu and Clarissa first joined our program, they were both quite shy but we were moved to see how Clarissa naturally adapted to communicate with Zi Yu through text messages, creating a friendship that went beyond verbal barriers. What's been truly remarkable is watching them both grow from reserved newcomers into confident social media marketers, supporting each other every step of the way.

Building Confidence and Looking Ahead

Today, both friends are charting their career paths with newfound confidence. Ziyu is pursuing full-time opportunities, while Clarissa has secured an internship with Castlery. "I’m looking forward to getting another good internship or starting a full-time job. I want to earn money and improve my graphic design skills, so I can live comfortably and not depend on my parents who have worked so hard for years."

Clarissa, meanwhile, is eager to make the most her training. Clarissa excitedly shared that “After completing Hatch’s program, I have a stronger confidence to land myself in a marketing job.” Before the training even ended, she has been applying for multiple Digital Marketing related internship and we are excited to share that she has just started her internship with Castlery!

Their friendship, forged in the classrooms of Hatch, continues to be a source of support and encouragement for both. “Even though we’re taking different paths now, we still check in on each other.”

A Safe and Empowering Learning Environment

In designing our programs for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), we recognized that social interaction and confidence-building are foundational to career success. Our experience showed us that many PWDs face challenges with interpersonal communication and self-advocacy in professional settings. This insight shaped our program structure: we emphasize repeated practice of concepts, create multiple opportunities for peer interaction, and foster a supportive environment where learners feel comfortable engaging with trainers and each other. Beyond technical skills, we focus on building confidence through small wins and consistent encouragement. Today, we share the story of Ziyu’s and Clarissa’s friendship and how their friendship has supported them in their individual journeys.

For Ziyu, this meant being able to engage with her peers and trainers in a way that felt natural and unforced. "The people at Hatch always talked to me like friends," she says. "Being around people who are open and able to joke around with me made it easier to focus on my learning without feeling awkward or scared." Clarissa chimes in that “when I was at Hatch, I felt like I was in such a safe zone, whenever I wanted to clarify an issue, I was able to do so with any of the trainers and Hatch team”.

Ziyu’s advice to new learners starting the program is simple but profound: "Be open to any opportunities that come your way. It’s a chance to interact with different people, start friendships, and explore yourself in new ways. Just be friends with everyone, including the Hatch team!" While Clarissa’s advice would be “to not be afraid to ask questions and clarify any doubts!”

Our next intake starts March 25. Drop us a note if you're interested in joining our community.

‍

‍