Hard Work Leads to First Job

By Greg Montgomery

Erin Wingenroth works hard at helping other deaf people find jobs

Erin Wingenroth, a deaf student who attended mostly mainstream classes in her home state of Pennsylvania, went to college—and got a job. Wingenroth was a student at Camden Community College, in Camden, New Jersey. She worked hard, set goals, and stayed focused. She studied hard and never missed any classes. At the same time, she became a client of the South Jersey Evaluation and Employment Services for the Deaf (SEED). SEED is a state agency that helps deaf people find jobs and SEED helped Wingenroth learn job skills.

When she graduated, the SEED coordinator remembered her. “She knew me by my reputation,” Wingenroth said. Her reputation was excellent. After all her hard work, Wingenroth won Best Math Student from Mid-Atlantic Post Secondary Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Battelle Memorial Scholarship, and the Madeline Thompson Memorial Scholarship twice for her academic achievements. She made the Dean's list and was on the American Junior Colleges' "Who's Who" list.

The SEED coordinator offered Wingenroth a full time job. Now Wingeroth is a program specialist. As a program specialist, she helps other deaf and hard of hearing people get jobs. She helps them develop resumes, write applications and cover letters, and prepare for job interviews. Sometimes the job is not easy.

"My biggest challenge is getting some of my clients to be responsible for themselves," said Wingenroth. “For example, when clients miss their appointments, they don't get hired. When they don't get hired, I feel like I'm not doing my job well enough."
She enjoys working with deaf and hard of hearing clients. “The best thing is when clients are satisfied with our services, and we have successfully placed clients the jobs,” she said. “Our SEED staff has great team work.”

Wingenroth plans to go back to school and earn a bachelor's degree. “My short term goals are to do a good job at SEED and to continue giving math lessons to college deaf students.” She plans to get a masters degree and become a social worker. “I know a higher degree will qualify me to do more things,” she said.