By: Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
In a February 2024 Dear Colleague Letter, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Commissioner Danté Allen prioritized elevating community expectations for competitive integrated employment by showcasing success stories of individuals with disabilities who receive services from RSA Programs. This is the first RSA Success Story in a series that will run through November 2024.
Richard Erskine grew up dreaming of becoming a social worker and following in his mother’s footsteps. He saw firsthand how inspiring the work was and earned a Bachelor of Science in social work from Westfield State University. However, after his first internship, he realized the field might not be the right fit for him.
Unsure of what was next, he contacted the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) to help him with his job journey. MRC, an RSA grantee, helped Richard to achieve competitive integrated employment.
The Beginning of a Prominent Partnership
Working alongside the disability community, MRC provides services that break down barriers, cultivate diversity, and empower people to thrive in their workplaces and their communities. The agency’s purpose is possibility: the possibility of building a better Massachusetts – one that is more equitable, accessible and inclusive.
MRC’s Career Services works with job candidates to explore industries and career paths that suit their interests and professional goals. Whether it’s personalized career counseling, vocational training, accommodation assistance or job search support, the team champions the success of all its participants.
MRC also has a Career and Business Relations team dedicated to working with businesses across Massachusetts to create partnerships and relationships across all industries. Team members focus on collaboration by bringing together job candidates and employers to find solutions that improve people’s lives. Career and Business specialists also oversee MRC’s job-driven training programs designed with input from businesses to help job candidates build the skills and experience needed for career paths.
Erskine first became acquainted with MRC as a college undergraduate.
“The agency really helped me understand the ins and outs of what a career could look like,” said Erskine.
Recognizing that Erskine wanted to finish his degree and pursue full-time employment, MRC provided financial support to help him accomplish his goal. Upon graduation, Erskine connected with his vocational and career counselor and his career and business relations specialist to discuss potential next steps.
With the help of MRC, Erskine found an interest in the agency’s Technology Academy Program, a job-driven training program created in partnership with CISCO, Holyoke and Roxbury Community College. The program, which is the first of its kind in the state, provides individuals eligible to receive services through MRC with the opportunity to train in cybersecurity and earn a certificate from CISCO.
Erskine’s Career and Business Relations specialist, Tara Raymond, knew he would be the perfect fit for the program.
“The first thing that stuck out about Richard was his good nature,” Raymond said. “He understood to reach his goals, he was the captain of his ship. Richard gave 110% to be sure he was accepted into this program.”
Sure enough, Erskine was accepted.
Just as Erskine and his classmates began the coursework, the pandemic forced the program and its participants to pivot. “I had never taken part in a virtual classroom like this before,” Erskine said.
Erskine admitted he found a new subject matter and a new way of learning daunting at first.
“The program gave me the base understanding of the day-to-day focus on data privacy and auditing. I gained a foundation of learning in the technology used to protect data that prepared me for a career in the IT world,” Erskine said.
Not even a pandemic stopped a determined Erskine as he persevered to graduate from the program with a CISCO cybersecurity certificate.
Following the program, he reconnected with MRC to explore what could be possible for his career. “MRC provided me the tools to gain full-time employment, develop my professional skills, resume, cover letter, and portfolio,” Erskine said.
Raymond recommended Erskine apply to the Neurodiversity in the Workplace program, which specializes in helping neurodiverse individuals prepare themselves for the job interview process.
Raymond shared, “I knew if Richard was provided the environment to shine, he would excel, and that is exactly what he did.”
After completing the program, Erskine received an internship offer from Dell Technologies — the first step of his career journey. He began the internship in 2020, and his manager asked him to join the team full time a year later.
“I was full of so much joy when she asked me to join the team,” Erskine said. “It made me feel like all the work I had put in meant something. I had accomplished this goal!”
Career Advancement & A New Life
Over the course of four years, Erskine was promoted from an intern to a senior audit analyst. He now serves as an internal audit advisor at Dell Technologies. In his current role, he focuses on regulatory compliance, data protection and privacy.
“My role and career are fulfilling because it’s interesting and complex work,” Erskine said. “I love learning different functions at Dell and working with the vendors and partners we have. My job is dynamic and there is always something new happening and always something to learn.”
Senior Advisor of Diversity Talent Acquisition at Dell Technologies Danielle Biddick said, “the Neurodiversity@Dell Technologies program has greatly benefited from its partnership with MRC and the National Employment Team (NET). Through our collaboration, we’ve leveraged incredible talent by focusing on hiring for key skills and strengths while providing tailored support resources to enable success.”
Erskine added his new career path has made him more financially stable and independent. “I am able to take care of myself without relying on any assistance from my family,” he said and excitedly shared he recently purchased his own condo.
“It never occurred to me to even think of this career path,” Erskine said. “MRC has been so supportive and has many resources for anyone looking for help. You need to put the effort in, but MRC is there to help you every step of the way.”
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