After graduating from Wright State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work in April 2024, Kaleb Matteson was hired as a job developer at URS. He currently assists 15 clients in their job search. (Photo by Erin Pence)

When Kaleb Matteson graduated from Fairborn High School in 2011, he didn’t know what he wanted to do for a career, but he wanted to help others. He thought about his next step and joined the Navy two years later.

For six years, Matteson sailed around the world and was stationed in Japan for a time. After completing his military service, he worked as a boilerman at Ohio State University. While at OSU, he decided to enroll at Wright State and study social work.

“Originally, I wanted to help veterans,” Matteson said. “I wanted to help people improve their lives.”

While attending Wright State University, he interned as a job coach at United Rehabilitation Services (URS of Greater Dayton), where he supervised clients on-site, helping them develop their soft skills, improve their punctuality, and optimize their interactions with coworkers.

“It was rewarding,” he said. “I love the customers and it was a great experience.”

For many of Matteson’s clients, it was the first time in their lives that they were making their own decisions. Having a job gives them more independence and empowers them, Matteson said.

During his internship, Matteson helped dozens of clients retain their employment at a variety of companies, including retail stores, fast-food restaurants and warehouses.

Dennis Grant, CEO of United Rehabilitation Services, said the agency’s employment placement program helps high school students and adults with disabilities develop the job skills they need to be successful in life.

“We have been successful in helping people with disabilities gain employment in this community and creating a more inclusive workplace,” said Grant, who serves on the advisory committee for Wright State’s Integrated Health Services Program.

Grant said the long-standing partnership between URS and Wright State has provided students with internships in numerous departments. Wright State students get hands-on experience working with people with disabilities, and URS benefits from student employees who value the work they do every day.

“At URS, we are proud and happy to be able to hire people who are truly committed to our mission as regular employees and accompany them into the future,” said Grant.

Matteson is the latest Wright State student to advance from intern to full-time employee at United Rehabilitation Services.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Wright State University in April 2024, he was hired as a Job Developer at URS. He is currently assisting 15 clients in their job search.

“I’m enjoying my work right now and I want to keep it that way,” Matteson said.

Matteson said 70% of people with disabilities are unemployed, so it is important to help them find employment and achieve independence.

Matteson said the partnership between Wright State and URS has given him the confidence and skills to help others and succeed in his current role. He said he enjoys his work, but he would like to return to Wright State and get a master’s degree and possibly help veterans in the future.