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Madison College student Maggie Groshan had an opportunity to try on a career for size, working as a City of Madison intern. After losing her sight from a medical condition as a teen, Groshan has been focused on removing barriers for others.
What motivated you to work with the Department of Civil Rights as part of the first cohort of WolfPack PAID (Paid Access to Internships & Development) students?
Working with the department was a foot-in-the-door opportunity and a great thing to put on my resume. Of course, I want to help others with disabilities and ensure they are treated well and have access to the resources they deserve. The experience was twofold: giving back to the community and helping to make life better for Madison residents.
Your supervisor at the city described you as very passionate, fearless, and driven. You were known for volunteering for tasks, asking intelligent questions, and completing assignments on time. Tell us about the projects you worked on.
I worked on four. I wanted to learn how to step in and help people as best I could and make resources accessible. One project was to help create a low-income resource booklet where people could find information on shelters, food banks, finances, healthcare, transportation, and more. The goal was for the booklet to be in plain language, easy to understand, and available in hard copies in places such as libraries. Another proposal I helped with was to have accessible garden bed tables at community gardens.
Which of your intern experiences were most impactful?
I learned how much work and time it takes to start and get a government project approved and how to write a policy proposal. It was also great to learn skills from people who have been doing this work all their lives. It was also a reality check. I may not want to work in government, but it opened my eyes to how much good I could do for people with disabilities and how to advocate even better for myself.
Tell us about your life as a Madison College student.
Well, I originally went to Edgewood College but decided that was not for me, so I came to Madison College. I went to the Disability Resource Services and met with Kevin Carini. He was a huge help and made sure that I had the materials I needed-- text files, PDFs, or docs so I could read on my laptop. When classes were in person, he would get me braille books. Now that I am married and have a son, I am all online, but I have access and communicate with my instructors and fellow students.
What is your super skill?
My empathy and my life experiences: I don't know everyone's story, and I am not going to pretend to know everyone's story, but I have a disability. I know what it's like to be different and how hard it is to get where you need to be. For those who struggle, whether it is someone with a disability, being homeless, or from a different culture, that is something that I can relate to a degree. I know it is important to give people a hand and let them know they are not alone.
With plans to graduate with a human services associate degree in May 2025, what advice do you have for others with disabilities to achieve their higher education goals?
There is help out there, and as scary as it is, the best thing you can do is self-advocate and don't be afraid to use your voice. Resources exist; tech schools and universities have adaptive technologies and student services departments. Sometimes, you have to ask for help. Also, don't be afraid to lean on your support systems, family, friends, and fellow students, because it is scary, but you can do it and feel great about what you accomplished.
For employers interested in more information on the Madison College WolfPack Paid program, call (608) 243-4598 or email careerandemployment@madisoncollege.edu
