Successful RIT/NTID Grads Offer Career Advice to Students

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Nov. 25 -- Rochester Institute of Technology'sNational Technical Institute for the Deaf issued the following news release:

Students often wonder what it will be like to move into the world of work after they graduate. And nine business and technology students from Rochester Institute of Technology'sNational Technical Institute for the Deaf recently got to see first-hand how some graduates who were in their shoes not that long ago had successfully made the transition.

The students traveled by bus to visit Highmark, a major health insurance provider in Pittsburgh, Pa., where a dozen deaf individuals--most of them graduates of RIT/NTID--work.

When Aaron Bosley attended RIT/NTID, he was excited but a bit nervous about what his future would bring and how he would fit in a workplace where employees are overwhelmingly hearing. He landed his job with Highmark in 2005, just one week after he graduated with a degree in information technology from RIT.

"When I came here, the manager wanted to be sure I'd be included as a person who is deaf within a team of hearing employees." Bosley said. "I kept saying, 'Don't worry, we'll make it work,' and I taught the team how to work with me."

He and Matt Martella, a 2010 information technology graduate who works as an applications developer at Highmark, met the current RIT/NTID students and answered their questions, as did recruiting and human resource personnel from the company.

In 2011, Highmark launched its Abilities Business Resource Group, which focuses on inclusion for employees with differing abilities by increasing sensitivity and awareness of social barriers experienced by people with disabilities. The group includes those with differing abilities as well as their allies. The company also has community outreach activities in partnership with diversity and inclusion that align with Highmark's Talent Acquisition and University Relations department strategies in order to increase recruitment of individuals with disabilities.

"Diversity and inclusion are essential to our business and culture," said Phyllis Rupert, a diversity consultant at Highmark. "We are committed to creating an inclusive organization that reflects, embraces and leverages the diversity of our workplace, marketplace and community. The presence of the RIT students here today, and the involvement of the Abilities Business Resource Group in hosting them, clearly demonstrates that commitment."

The students saw first-hand what it would be like to work in a big company in a big city. They toured the building and learned about Highmark internships and application processes. The students also learned about Highmark's IT College Recruitment Rotational Program, which rotates high-potential college graduates in a new position every six months for two years. This helps graduates discover the many career options that are available. It's also a learning experience for Highmark because it helps the company see what positions are the best fit for participants.

In an effort to ensure that employees feel welcomed and perform well together, Highmark previously held a "Working Together" workshop in partnership with NTID to help hearing employees better understand what it's like to have hearing loss and how effective communication can occur between hearing and deaf co-workers.

Bosley and Martella said they feel very comfortable and have understanding coworkers. They are free to schedule sign language interpreters themselves from an agency when they feel one will be needed. And they frequently use video relay interpreters to allow them to participate in conference calls.

"They provided me with an interpreter all day for my first day or two. After that, I was fine without one on a regular basis," Martella said.

Bosley recently started informal classes at Highmark for his fellow co-workers who are interested in learning sign language. "It's a nice company to work for, and I have a fun job," he said.

The students, whose visit was arranged by NTID's Center on Employment, asked Bosley and Martella several questions, including how they became successful at work.

"I had to learn how to connect with different people and make sure I was meeting their expectations," Martella replied. "I meet a lot of people, and I let them know I'm a flexible person."

For quick communication needs, he uses a white board, email or resorts to pen and paper if he needs to.

"You have to be self-motivated," Bosley said. "Don't just wait for people to tell you what to do."

Martella and Bosley credit RIT/NTID for giving them a good foundation and skills to land their jobs. Their advice to current students:

"Keep learning new technology, things you can apply to a company," Martella said. "Add it on your resume, and when you walk in the door, you'll be ready. Once you get a job, your learning doesn't stop there."

"Work hard in school and make sure you pick the right concentration that follows your interests," Bosley said. "Don't just look to what makes the most money. You need to enjoy what you're doing."

The students left Highmark with a better understanding of a workplace environment and some, for the first time, with a vision of themselves in the workforce.

"It was very helpful to hear from employees like Matt and Aaron because they graduated from RIT/NTID," said Taylor Yukawa, a fifth-year finance major from Newcastle, Wash. "We can relate to them because they stood where we were years ago, and now, they're great role models for us."

Kiley Knudson, a fourth-year marketing major from Rochester, Minn., was grateful she was part of the trip. "It was a good experience. I learned never to give up and keep trying even if you hit a bump."

Daniel Saavedra, a third-year information technology major from Illinois, said Bosley and Martella "gave me confidence that I can succeed like them."

And Claire Bernard, a third-year new media interactive development major from Albany, Ga., said she plans to "expand my horizons and take every good opportunity that comes my way."

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