Finding self-sustaining, rewarding employment opportunities is an affirming objective of MCB's counselors. Beginning in high school and even in years beyond, counselors work to pair able and eager clients with employers, mentors, and opportunities that allow them to test and learn new skills.
How MCB helps:
Joe Buizon, MCB Employment Services
“At MCB, we work helping blind individuals find work — from a 16-year-old on their first job to those in their 60s looking to re-engage in a new industry. We start with resumes, interview skills, technology, tools — the basics. We really work with clients to understand and level-set their goals, then work hard to match them with an employer or opportunity.”
Elana Regan, MCB Client
“I tried different internships that MCB arranged; they really encouraged career exploration and experimentation. They were important in helping me determine what I wanted to do with my life — and also what I didn't.”
Richard Curtis, Employer of MCB Clients
“As an employer, we work closely with MCB to place people in jobs. There's a misconception that blind people can only do a small set of jobs. We really considered candidates differently, looking at their individual skills more so than their disability.”
Jimmy Lopez, MCB Client
“I asked MCB about internships right after my first year at college. I had an interest, but they really helped me with interview training, my resume — lots of prep work to make the interviewing part feel more natural. It was a huge help because I knew what to expect in the interview and prepared for it.”
Brittany Taylor, MCB Counselor
“We really recommend college kids and beyond consider internships. Sometimes we even recommend it for people looking to fill gaps in their resume, getting back into work after time away. It's enticing because these are paid positions — MCB actually picks up that cost for the employer — and they get real, practical experience.”
Brandon Rollins, MCB Client
“MCB really helped me understand what was expected of professional people. They worked with me to get stronger and confident that I really could do a job. The first ones weren't quite right, but doing the job helped me find things I did like. Eventually, I found an internship in social work, actually at MCB, and it clicked: this is what I want to do.”
Richard Curtis
“MCB really went the extra step to determine what we really needed as an employer. They met our managers, and they spent the time in our office to gauge what the demands would be. We have a business to run, and MCB understood that. The people they matched us with were prepared and well-suited for the work.”
Colleen Moran, Employer, Spaulding Rehabilitation
“MCB really gets to know your company, your culture, and their clients. It's a partnership, and they're very thoughtful and diligent about placing people; they're very practical and careful about putting people forward. And they stay with it, constant communication even after they start; MCB wants the relationship to thrive, for us and for the person.”
Joe Buizon
“Our work doesn't stop when clients are hired. We work on orientation and mobility training to assist them in adapting to their new workspaces. Our technology teams are out ahead of them, making sure they have the tools (readers, magnifiers, etc.) they need. We work closely with employers' IT teams to ensure everything works for the person and won't strain their resources.”
Elana Regan
“I was at one point interested in meteorology. So MCB arranged an internship at Blue Hills Observatory. On the job, I found out reading instruments and such would be far more difficult than I knew. So even though it wasn't a good fit, it was so helpful to learn that before committing my life to that goal.”
Joe Buizon
“Success for our interns means they're out there, they're working, learning, producing — they're in the community. They just needed an opportunity and to find the right fit. That's what we do for and with them.”
Tanja Milojevic, MCB Client
“I know it's hard to get a job right out of college, so the internships MCB arranged were important to me. I got work experience — in the governor's office! — learned to use technology, and learned about office work. It helped me be so much better prepared entering the job market.”
Lynn Shortis, TVI, Pittsfield Public Schools
“MCB helped arrange an internship for a student this summer with a state representative. They did a feature on the student at work, and the student was so proud he sent me a screenshot of the feature. These experiences are just so critical to the success for these students.”