Mitchell wasn't sure what to do after high school
but now his career gives his life a purpose.
He also feels that autism actually helps him on his job
because he's more detail oriented than many other people.
I know that I would not be a storyteller today if it weren't for my disability.
Are there positive things that your disability provides for you?
Hello my name is Mitchell.
I work full time as a sterile processing technician
over at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.
We're basically the ones who are responsible for cleaning
assembling and sterilizing instruments
that are used in surgery
making sure they're safe to use.
You'd be amazed by how something that feels like a curse
can actually be the opposite when you use it in the workforce.
I'm able to assemble stuff quickly.
I'm able to tell very quickly
whether something is dirty or whether it's safe to use and whatnot.
I'm able to count like how much of what is needed
for a set of instruments and everything.
One thing making my life better thanks to working
is just having the sense that I'm doing something good
and it makes me feel like I have purpose in life.
I was one of those people in high school who
when it was over
didn't really have the best idea of what to do after graduating.
I always had interests deep down in the health care field.
I went to college at a Anoka Technical College.
I originally started off taking general classses
such as general and abnormal psychology
lifespan development, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology and biology.
When I was in college
I did have a guidance counselor on hand if I ever needed help while I was there.
If there was material I didn't understand just to ask questions
and so they understood it more.
It was very helpful actually.
I had help with other counselors
who helped me with the job interviewing and whatnot
and the skills needed for doing so.
If it wasn't for the help I got for them with how to apply for jobs and everything,
then it would've been a little bit more harder
because I'm one of those people who doesn't understand the ins and outs
of applying for things and whatnot
even though it probably is simple.
But you have questions along the way.
The most common fear I think for most people is
when you walk through that door for the first time
and you've never had experience in that field before
The first one is simply
I've never done this before
can I do it?
And these people I've never met them before
are they going to be ones I can get along with?
You just step through that door and you start working
and you'd be surprised I think by how quickly
you can find yourself into a good position if it's really meant for you.
Mitchell always felt drawn to health care
and pursue those interests in his postsecondary education.
Those interests paid off and he found a job that was just the right fit.
He encourages others to find that right job
and to work through those first day on the job fears as he did.
You'd be surprised how quickly you can find yourself in a good position
if it's meant for you.
Mitchell also used on campus support services
that were really helpful to him there.
There are disability supports on all college campuses.
Seek them out
If you might need extra help to be successful.
Thank you, Mitchell.