January is going to get pretty busy for Nema Nievar as she returns to her position as an intern for local costume designer Liz Martin. Ms. Martin’s shop is closed for December, but Nievar is looking forward to ending her temporary hiatus when she returns to work in 2020.

“I love my boss,” Nievar said. “She’s extremely nice and she has a lovely personality.”

“I repair costumes, finish final touches, work on projects that I’m assigned to,” said Nievar. “I sew, run errands and keep myself busy… I love to be helpful and I’m extremely happy to please. I don’t complain often unless it’s important, but I’m also not a stepping stone.”

This is Nievar’s first job and she works one day a week, from 10 am to 5 pm. She is hoping to be promoted to a paid assistant when Ms. Martin’s current assistant moves in the near future.

“I work because I want to, because I like to be helpful and I enjoy making myself busy,” Nievar said. “There haven’t been any problems outside of my medical history. I’m extremely thankful to have this job and I don’t see any downsides.” It is her attitude that helps her with her own advice to others. “Do what you enjoy,” she said. “When you’re happy, things go by much faster and the more you want to work.”

Nievar has been filling the free time that the closed shop has provided by working on small projects and Christmas gifts. “I’m currently working on a costume head of a walrus,” she said.