Full-Time Student Gains Inspiration for Future Career

When she’s not away at school, Keisha Carter works fulltime as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) in Liberty ARC’s Family Support Services (FSS) program.

Keisha said that her position as a DSP in the FSS program, as well as her mom, have influenced her to pursue a career working with children who have disabilities.

“My mother has worked at Liberty ARC my whole life,” she said. “I would go visit the programs and meet the individuals and go to some of the Christmas events – I grew up with Liberty ARC, so it’s no surprise that I got a job here as well. I love coming back to work here – I love seeing how happy the individuals get when they see me; it’s a great feeling knowing you can make them happy.”

Keisha is a full-time student at SUNY Potsdam. She’s majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Services. She originally went to school for two years at Fulton Montgomery Community College with the intention of transferring to SUNY Potsdam for her Bachelor’s Degree. At the end of her second year at FMCC, she decided she wanted a job that she could return to during winter and spring breaks and summer vacations, so she started training to be a DSP at the agency.

“I’ve always known I wanted to go into psychology since high school,” she said. “My friends always told me I was their go-to person to talk about things that were bothering them, then I took an online psychology class and decided I’d stick with it. When I started working at Liberty ARC, I really liked working with the kids in FSS and it’s made me think about possibly using my degree to work with kids in the future.”

Keisha advises anyone who needs a flexible job to apply to Liberty ARC.

“Liberty ARC is so flexible with scheduling, and I always have a job to come home to,” she said. “The work is fun – it gets my mind off of college and my supervisors are so flexible with me. If I need time off or if something last minute comes up, they work with me and help me out.”

Keisha also suggests anyone who doesn’t have summer plans look into working at Liberty ARC simply for the fun of it.

“You basically get paid to do fun activities,” she said. “In the summer, especially, it can be a lot a fun. We go to parks, go swimming, go to Mohawks games and the movies – and you’re helping someone all at the same time. It’s very rewarding and fun.”

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