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Strongbridge Associates LLC serves a variety of startup adults and offers services tailored to their individual and unique needs. What follows represents a range of typical days and activities for three different people with distinctive needs and experiences. There are good days and bad days in any life, and typically our clients have better days, now and in the future.
Anthony, 20, a “Novice”
Anthony wakes at 8:00 am and prepares a breakfast of cold cereal and an orange. This is Anthony’s second week in his apartment and the first time he has been on his own. Until now he has lived at home or in a dorm. Anthony has been diagnosed with a mood disorder and is currently managing its symptoms with prescription medication. Having completed two years of college, he still has little idea of a career path and worries about his future. He is looking for an entry-level job in retailing, but clearly imagines himself in management and making a lot of money.
He meets in person with his advisor at 9:30 am and they talk about how he is doing. Anthony admits he is lonely and misses his old friends. There are dishes from the day before in the sink and his advisor offers to help with them. Anthony washes and his advisor dries, and quickly the dishes are clean and put away. Anthony expresses satisfaction at getting something done.
Anthony and his advisor discuss his job search, and read the want ads in two local newspapers, circling the ones of interest. They talk about what he can do today and how he will approach each job possibility. He agrees to check-in with his advisor later in the afternoon. Anthony spends the afternoon making calls, visiting potential employers, and filling out applications. He bounces around with thoughts and feelings of anticipation, confidence, and disappointment.
One of his primary goals is to get and keep a job in a retail store. He knows that once he gets a job he will feel better about himself, and he can get cable TV for his apartment. He remembers a recent conversation with his advisor, and recognizes that some of what he is feeling is an old fear of rejection. Whereas in the past he would quit before the fear became a reality, this afternoon he continues with his job search and visits another store.
At 4:30 pm Anthony returns to his apartment and calls his advisor, who invites him to play basketball at a local school gym tonight. It is a regular game and he tells Anthony that one of players is also a Strongbridge Associates advisor. Anthony, though a little tired, agrees to play.
His advisor asks Anthony what he is planning to have for dinner tonight. Anthony doesn’t know. “Well, what have you got?” Anthony lists, “Instant ramen noodles, mac and cheese dinner, more pasta, tomato sauce, beef and vegetable soup and chili, and there’s some frozen chicken in the freezer.” “Would you like to have Ramen Noodles Supreme?” his advisor asks. “I guess. What is it?”
“How about if I come over and make it with you? I’ll bring a couple of things with me.” Anthony agrees. Soon they are cutting up a semi-frozen chicken breast, slicing a couple of fresh mushrooms, and chopping a green onion. Anthony cooks the chicken in a pot, sprinkles it with salt and pepper, and adds the mushrooms, a little hot sauce and some soy sauce. When the chicken is just done, his advisor removes it to a bowl, and Anthony pours enough water for the noodles into the pot. It boils, he adds the noodles and soup mix, waits a minute, and adds the chicken mixture. After two more minutes, he stirs in the green onion, and it’s ready to serve. Anthony and his advisor sit at the folding table and enjoy Ramen Noodles Supreme. Anthony exclaims it is the best meal he has had since he moved here. Afterwards, they wash the dishes together.
The basketball game starts at 6:30 pm. Anthony meets several new people, a few his own age. When Anthony gets home at 9:15 pm, he is very tired. He feels good and remembers to take his night meds. He reads an email from his parents, and quickly replies that everything is OK. He looks at a book his advisor gave him, and falls asleep.
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