Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Mitsch.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Andrea. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey starts as far back as I can remember with my parents bringing my sisters and I to Swim with a special child. It was then that I realized people with disabilities were no different than anyone else. My father, a dentist, would bring us to the office on Saturdays where he would see patients with disabilities because they needed a little extra time; therefore he made sure he had the day free to ensure the best care. In 1996, the summer before I entered college, my late Uncle Hank, former President and CEO of WORK Inc. gave me an opportunity to work at WORK Inc. through the Urban Youth Collaborative program. I fell in love with working with individuals with disabilities.
During college, I returned to WORK Inc. working during my semester breaks and decided to major in Psychology. In 2000, my uncle had a biking accident, and in 2001 he passed away. In 2002, I went back to school and obtained my Master’s in Business Administration. Once completed I decided to return to the nonprofit industry at Community Work Services as a placement specialist working with employers to hire individuals with barriers to employment.
In 2006, I left nonprofit and entered the hospitality industry, working for two icons in Boston-Fairmont Copley Plaza and The Ritz-Cartlon Boston Common.
Through my time in the hotel industry, I realized as much as I loved hospitality, I really wanted to find a role that I could work with the industry, but advocate for employment of individuals with disabilities and barriers to employment. It was then I returned to Community Work Services as the Director of Marketing. During my tenure there I was able to increase the visibility of the agency’s mission and engage various employers to see the benefit of hiring individuals with disabilities.
After 6 years at Community Work Service, my career came full circle and I was offered a position at WORK Inc. as the AVP of Communications. Not only am I continuing to advocate for employment of individuals with disabilities, I also have the opportunity to carry out a mission I so thoroughly believe in as had my late Uncle.
Has it been a smooth road?
For the most part my journey has been smooth, however, I have had to overcome some obstacles. From the time I graduated college today, I have worked in a variety of industries figuring out what I was passionate about. The great mentors I have had throughout the years really helped pave the road always encouraging me to follow my passion.
Once finding where I wanted to focus my attention, I had to really come to terms with my language learning disability as the roles I wanted to pursue required a large amount of writing. For years, I shied away from positions that required heavy writing as I was not as confident in that area as I was in other areas. However, I was determined. I was not shy to talk about my opportunity for improvement with my mentors and was really encouraged to find ways to work with it.
I learned to work with my disability by using small accommodations, such as Dragon speak. Having the tools to work with I have been able to move forward in my career and obtain great roles where I can be most effective.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with WORK Inc. – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Nationally recognized as an innovator in developing community-based programs for individuals with disabilities, WORK Inc. is New England’s leading agency providing the skills and supportive services needed to help people with disabilities achieve their career goals. For over 50 years WORK Inc. has been at the forefront of vocational services providing meaningful work, and often, the first paychecks, for the individuals we are privileged to serve.
Our Mission- It is the mission of WORK Inc. to ensure that all individuals with disabilities have the ability to grow, the right to make choices, access to education and the opportunity to participate in community life via meaningful work.
WORK Inc. is the largest employer of people with disabilities in the region. The agency has a myriad of programs — Commercial Services, Day-Habilitation, Deaf Services, Family Support, Employment and Residential Services — which all converge toward one goal: “To make the lives of individuals with disabilities better.”
Today, WORK Inc. serves over 1200 individuals with all types of disabilities.
What sets WORK Inc. apart from others? As our CEO says, “Work is the great equalizer.” Individuals with disabilities can and want to work and WORK Inc. ensures that those individuals have opportunities to thrive in and live meaningful lives.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the vibe of the city, every neighborhood has its own feel and uniqueness. Whether you want to visit a historic site or visit a trendy new restaurant, you do not have to look too far.
Not a fan of the traffic in Boston, no matter the time of day, you will always find cars on the road.
Contact Info:
- Address: 25 Beach Street Dorchester, MA 02122
- Website: www.workinc.org
- Phone: 617.691.1500
- Email: amitsch@workinc.org
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/WORKIncDorchester
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/WORKInc.
Image Credit:
James E.D. Cook, Bill Brett
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
