Creative by Design
By Kimberly TharpeCorey Mills is living his dream and is passionate about working in the graphic design industry. Mills designs book covers, flyers, and reference materials, and is involved in all aspects of the design process. “I love my job because of a great boss, good team of coworkers, and the variety of interesting assignments,” Mills said. He shared that he wanted to do something purposeful with his life and, considering that being creative is his natural talent, this job is a perfect fit. Supervisor Jason Register said, “Corey brings fresh ideas that are out of the box to our projects and always has a creative perspective to offer.”
Mills, who happens to have a disability, earned his Associate Degree in Digital Media Technology in 2012 at Indian River State College. Thanks to his own determination, help provided by employment consultant Irene Soltis at The ARC of Martin County, and job counselor Stan Waldrop at Vocational Rehabilitation, today Mills is employed as a full-time graphic designer at Rourke Education Media in Vero Beach.
“Corey Mills is an exceptional young man, and it was a joy to be part of his job development ending with his job placement,” Soltis said. Mills participated in The ARC’s division of Advanced Employment Services, which assists clients in strengthening interviewing skills, dressing for success, and writing a resume and reference letter. Once clients get hired, they work with a job coach to get acclimated to their new job environment.
In his free time, Mills is just as creative at home. He loves pen-and-ink drawing and painting with acrylic, oil, and watercolors. Mills has many personal goals he is working hard to achieve. He currently lives in an apartment but hopes to own his own home one day. He has great support from his sister, who also lives in Vero Beach.
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month. Florida’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities and its partners are highlighting the contributions of Corey Mills and other people with disabilities to the workforce.
From all accounts, Corey Mills is certainly a success story. He is well respected at work, his support team just can’t say enough good things about him, and he continues to work toward achieving the hopes and dreams he has for his future; it looks so bright!
Corey Mills is a full-time graphic designer at Rourke Education Media in Vero Beach.
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