Jack Luskin wants to help people of all abilities live meaningful lives. When Mike Amons, Regional Director at Work Opportunities Unlimited (WOU) spoke at his college, Jack learned about WOU’s mission of employment for all, inspiring him to pursue a rewarding internship at WOU!
As Jack was earning his associate degree in Psychology/Sociology at MassBay Community College, he and his fellow students noticed a need for community engagement on their topics of study. With assistance from faculty, they launched the college’s Psychology/Sociology Student Club in the spring semester of 2025. Serving as the club’s Vice President, Jack helped maintain a meeting schedule and contributed to thought-provoking conversations. He and the club’s President then started a series of panel discussions to help their fellow MassBay students explore career options in the field. He explains, “We reached out to many companies and schools to invite panelists to join us during our meeting times. This is where Mike Amons was connected with us.” Shauna Delaney on WOU’s recruiting team facilitated Mike’s participation in a career panel event. Mike says, “I shared information about my career journey and what brought me to WOU. Along with a number of other industry professionals, we answered questions about our career paths and gave advice to the students. The turnout was great – probably 35 students in attendance.”
Enthralled by Mike’s contribution to the panel discussion, Jack approached him afterwards to learn more. Jack had never heard of WOU before, but Mike’s career experience and what he shared about the company aligned with Jack’s own goals and values. Mike suggested that Jack review WOU’s website to learn more about the company’s mission and investigate the career page. Jack took Mike’s advice and realized that an internship at WOU would allow him to directly engage with people with disabilities in his community. He was excited to see that “the employee-owned company is making a difference, has a strong presence in my area, and is sharing with the world the amazing work they do.” Jack applied via the website, successfully completed his interviews, and officially joined the Blackstone team in February of 2026 as a Career Resource Specialist (CRS).
Jack immediately felt very welcomed and supported by his team and Mike as he began his internship. His training involved shadowing other CRSs in the field, where he learned all about how he and his team members dedicate their days to breaking down barriers to employment for the individuals WOU supports. His coworkers – Corrinne, Tracy, Duane, Courtney, Eric, Jalisa, and Joe – offered guidance, hard work, kindness, and teamwork, and his mentor, Sean, introduced him to different areas of the position while providing valuable insight and advice. Jack began working within WOU’s pre-educational transition services, assisting students with work readiness. He provided person-centered supported employment services, working on-site with clients at their employers to support long-term retention planning and goal setting. Jack also explored job development, helping clients identify and pursue positions of interest. Within four months of starting his internship, Jack’s work has led to real outcomes for dozens of individuals. Mike thinks Jack is doing very well as a CRS, noting that Jack’s “inquisitive nature and thoughtful yet scientific approach to his learning has led him to both learn and deliver services in a systematic way that really drives success for the clients that he supports.”
Jack’s internship has given him valuable field experience, helped solidify his higher education and career goals, and contributed to his skillset – from time management and organizational skills, to data collection, to effective communication with clients, employers, and team members. He has flourished at WOU with the help of his team and Mike, who he thanks for his “trust, patience, and confidence in my abilities. Mike has supported me since the beginning of my internship and led by example.” Jack plans to work on an on-call basis at WOU as he pursues his bachelor’s degree in psychology at UMASS Amherst in fall of 2026; he’d support the Springfield market while at school and continue to support Blackstone when back in his hometown on breaks. He’s eager for the chance to continue making a difference in the lives of individuals he supports, sharing, “This position is fulfilling to me because I see the importance of teaching and learning new skills, supporting others through difficult moments, and being a guiding part of their growth and success. I believe that feeling heard, creating a safe and trusting environment, and encouraging self-advocacy can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. I find this work aligns with my values because it allows me to positively encourage others, help them recognize their strengths, and tailor support for them as they work toward their goals.” As Mike states, “There is no better way to learn about individuals with barriers operating within society than vocational services. The individuals that we support stand shoulder-to-shoulder with people in their community with the same expectations, rewards, and consequences. Any intern wanting to see ‘real’ integration would be well-served to experience interning with WOU.”
