Donna Graham knows just how much one person can change the course of a career. In her youth, Graham wanted to be a flight attendant and was accepted into a training program, but she had never been on a plane.
During her first flight, she learned that turbulence made her motion sick, and she couldn’t wait to be back on the ground.
Her career as a flight attendant was over before it started, but that was the perfect lesson for her new career — helping others find their calling.
“That’s why I’m so passionate about career counseling,” said Graham, who retired from Monroe 2 BOCES in 2023 after 25 years as a career counselor. “I always share that story with students, and tell them ‘you think you know what you want to do until you try it.’”
She credits her older sister as an inspiration for the work she does now; when they were younger, her sister worked at a summer camp for students with disabilities. She saw the care her sister put into her work and knew she wanted to work with the same population of students.
“I don’t know that I would have picked that if it hadn’t been for my sister,” said Graham.
Even in retirement, Graham is bringing people together to help students. She works in a consulting capacity through ACCES-VR, a program of the state Education Department that supports individuals with disabilities in finding and maintaining employment. Graham’s enthusiasm for the work is contagious.
Renee Fetes, a math teacher and member of the Victor Teachers Association who has a master’s degree in special education, was immediately drawn to the work.
It’s more than just a referral for services, said Fetes. The students she works with “need extra recognition and support” that might not be available at home.
Newark TA counselor Kayla Reed and retiree Donna Graham.
Newark TA counselor Kayla Reed and retiree Donna Graham
Over the years, Graham observed that many career-related resources for students with disabilities were outdated, and she wanted to fix the problem.
A conversation with her son Steve, a Career and Technical Education teacher at Monroe 2 BOCES, helped that dream come true. With her son’s technological expertise and her decades of experience working with students, they created GozyGigs, a colorful and engaging app with superhero imagery to empower students to find their own career path.
GozyGigs includes modules where students can play games and collect points while learning about different careers and the education and certifications needed to do them. As a bonus, students referred through ACCES-VR that have an interest in game design can test the app, offer feedback, and learn how the app is built.
GozyGigs is designed to work best on a desktop computer so students can use it while working face-to-face with a career counselor, a first step to exploring careers in the real world.
Fetes, for example, worked with an immigrant student who was interested in becoming a barber. She networked to find a local barber shop where she could bring the student for a site visit so he could see first-hand what a typical day as a barber looks like.
Kayla Reed, a school counselor and member of the Newark TA, noted that the app is “inviting and interactive, and more fun than reading through a list of jobs,” and that Graham’s impact is immeasurable.
Graham’s goal is to ensure that students get the information and encouragement they need to succeed. For some, that could be lessons about communication skills and preparing for an interview, or learning a job’s dress code. For others, it might be how to apply for financial aid or understanding their rights and requesting accommodations as they move on to college.
“Students are scared about the job market, with the spread of automation and AI,” said Graham. “But there will always be a need for people and real interaction.”
“Whether you’re 20, or 50, or 60, it’s never too late to pursue your passion and do what you love.”