Katelyn Letbetter started her freshman year at Texas A&M University like many other students. She was focused on doing well in her courses, meeting friends and adjusting to life in Aggieland. Katelyn is also dyslexic, so she quickly got acquainted with the staff in Disability Resources for advising on the assistive technology she would need for her coursework.

As she met with Justin Romack, an assistant director in Disability Resources, the conversation led to a discussion of her major, academic interests and goals. Romack asked Letbetter if she would consider applying for an open position as a student assistant in Disability Resources, but the idea of working as an undergrad or even in the field of disability services had never crossed her mind.

Fast forward to her second semester, Letbetter was attending class in an "Understanding Special Populations" course, and Romack was a guest speaker representing Disability Resources. It was during that presentation that a light bulb came on for Letbetter. She was compelled by the presentation, and the subject matter resonated with her on a new level. It was then and there she felt she could see herself in a role in Disability Resources and took the chance to apply.

Friends, Community and a Passion to Change Perceptions

Shortly after that presentation, Letbetter got hired as a student assistant, working in the main office of Disability Resources and the accessible textbook production program. At first, she was worried it could potentially be too difficult to balance her academic workload with a job on campus, but as she settled into her role, she found that was not the case.

"If you think having a job in college is going to be too demanding, I found that's not true," Letbetter said. "Full-time staff work with your class schedule and always remind you that you are a student first and your schoolwork will always be a top priority. Disability Resources has been a great place to work with many opportunities for development and networking, making friends, professional connections and growing my interpersonal skills."

Letbetter has not only found a career track she loves, but also a supportive community in her role in Disability Resources that helped grow both her professional skills and her friend circle. 

"I've met some of my best friends during my time at Disability Resources," she said. "We became super close and even started scheduling some of our classes together. I feel so much support from my coworkers and a lot of accomplishment from getting this opportunity, just knowing that so many people in our office believe in me."

Three years later, Letbetter has moved up the ranks internally, being promoted from student assistant to student coordinator and most recently, she has been hired as a full-time staff member before her graduation this May. As she starts her career post-graduation, she is most interested in how her work can contribute to the way disability is perceived and how it can redefine stigma.

"Through the years, my mindset of disabilities has changed so much by taking part in Disability Resources work," Letbetter said. "For instance, ‘disability’ has always been a word that has been perceived as having something wrong with you or something negative, but as I have learned from personal experience and from others, it is not. Disabilities can give you strength, a new perspective on life and an opportunity to learn new skills. Disabilities are not just about what someone can't do, but more so about the different ways one can find to live and succeed."

Student Employment as a Path to Future Career Success

Student employment at Texas A&M and in the Division of Student Affairs is a hands-on way students can explore their career interests, be involved in a community, grow their skills and connect the dots between what they are learning in the classroom and the professional experience they need for college and beyond.

"Katelyn is a great example of a student and young professional who demonstrated incredible potential," Romack said. "By taking on new challenges and leaning into reflection and growth, she tapped into her aspirations for the future through her role as a student employee with our office. Her diligence, attentiveness, curiosity and leadership have helped her gain clarity on what she wants to do with her life and step into a role that directly aligns with this vision. Student employment offers such meaningful and robust experiences for students like Katelyn to put their knowledge and skills into practice, contribute to real-world problems and expand their confidence as they go out and make their mark on the world—just as she is doing right now."

So far, Letbetter says her favorite experience at Texas A&M has been working in Disability Resources and having the opportunity to move into a full-time position before she graduates. "I have gained so many new skills from working on-campus that I will carry with me through my life," Letbetter said. "These include the ability to communicate, listen actively, give presentations to other professionals and students, problem-solve, and have empathy and sympathy for others, and so much more."