Don Shrey
Don's path to becoming a rehabilitation professional...One of my undergraduate mentors had earned his doctorate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and suggested that I consider the master's degree program at Penn State University. After completion of my master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, I was encouraged by my colleagues and faculty to consider enrollment in a Doctorate program. After working for two years to gain some experience in the field, I enrolled as a Doctoral student at Syracuse University, where I earned my tuition and expenses as a research assistant and later as an Instructor. After earning my Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counseling, I continued my career as a Rehabilitation Counselor Educator at Boston University, where I later was promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure.
Don's rehabilitation education...
M.Ed. Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling - Penn State University Ph.D. Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling - Syracuse University
How Don developed his practice...
While a faculty member at Boston University, I became involved in pioneering research in Disability Management and clinical work with injured workers as a Rehabilitation Psychologist while in Boston. My interests changed to Disability Management consulting work with labor unions and management, so I left my tenured position at Boston University to reinvent the next chapter in my career. Opportunities to work in Industrial Rehabilitation led me to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where I worked with an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team and gained much support for my passion for Disability Management research and training. After completing a major book, Principles and Practices of Disability Management in Industry, I was fortunate to receive fellowships to study Disability Management practices in Australia and Canada. Later, I became involved in developing the Case Management system for the Accident Compensation Corporation in New Zealand. I have had wonderful career opportunities to travel to Egypt, Israel, China, the Netherlands, Scotland, the UK, Ireland, Canada and other countries. I have developed countless friendships throughout my career. I have had the opportunity to develop over 500 transitional work programs at worksites, and the luxury of working jointly with labor and management in developing policies and procedures that will impact the lives of many workers with disabilities. Over the years, I have gravitated to Forensic activities, as a Vocational Expert for Social Security (I'm in my 32nd year), as well as a Vocational Expert in civil cases.
Don's "Ah-Ha!" moments that shaped his rehabilitation career path...
A defining experience for me, as a former Rehabilitation Counselor Educator, occurred early in my university teaching career. When teaching students about job placement and the world of work, I quickly realized that neither I nor my colleagues were familiar with worksites and the dynamics that affect the employment of persons with disabilities. I was fortunate to have received a 3-year grant from the U.S. Dept. of Education that allowed my colleagues and I the opportunity to learn the employer's perspective by visiting worksites and developing a curriculum that addressed the management of disability in business and industry. This was an epiphany for me, and my career course in Disability Management became clearly defined. I devoted the next twenty years of my career to understanding the relationships between the needs of persons with disabilities and the expectations of worksite representatives.
Don's interests that inform/influence his work...
As a former Scoutmaster of a Boy Scout troop, I have had rich opportunities to work with boys that were physically, emotionally and intellectually limited. I have seen many of these young men struggle to meet life's challenges, while learning important life skills through wilderness hikes in Montana, the Adirondacks, Alaska, and the Great Smokey Mountains. I have also included some of my professional colleagues in the opportunities to teach lessons from nature that promote the application of skills in self-sufficiency that transfer directly to life's challenges.
How IARP serves Don's professional development...
At this stage of my career, I am more focused on serving others through IARP, rather than being served in my career. However, my involvement as Disability Management Section Representative and IARP Board Member over the past four years has presented opportunities to meet new colleagues and to also work with former rehabilitation counseling students. Together, I would like to believe that we can continue to shape the future for rehabilitation professionals and the people we serve. IARP's listserves and professional conferences offer exciting opportunities for networking with other professionals and to stimulate the changes that will allow our profession to flourish well into the future.
Don's advice to folks considering a career as a rehabilitation professional...
The rehabilitation profession is a gift that keeps on giving. For those wanting to make a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities, the rehabilitation profession offers exciting opportunities to gain skills, knowledge and experience that has applications in a multitude of diversified working environments. I have had career opportunities to work in school to work transition programs, hospital-based work hardening and pain programs, industrial environments, mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, and insurance rehabilitation. Career opportunities as a rehabilitation professional are endless. However, to survive and flourish in this field, one must be willing to re-invent oneself continuously and to pursue ongoing skill and knowledge development. Participation in professional organizations such as IARP provides countless opportunities for personal and professional growth, especially for those willing to serve and not just be served.
