After working in various fields, including retail, media, television production, broadcast news, and telecommunications, Rich Whittaker has spent the last six months settling into a different kind of role at the Advocacy and Resource Center. Rich currently works at ExploreAbility, supporting individuals through our Day Habilitation program.
Rich is originally from Ithaca, but moved to the area for college at SUNY Plattsburgh, where he studied TV-Video Production and Mass Media Communications. His background and experiences from various jobs have prepared Rich for most things in this field.
When Rich was 12, he had his sights set on becoming an aerospace engineer. He became interested in the field after completing a school report on it and spent time reading about the profession and imagining what his future might look like. As he got older, however, he realized that math was not his strongest subject and began looking in a different direction.
That eventually led Rich to television production. While still in high school, he took training courses and became involved with public access television, where he directed and produced shows. His interest continued into college, where he discovered a particular passion for field videography and editing.
His background and experiences from various jobs have prepared Rich for most things in this field.
“There are certain things you can’t prepare for, but you learn to adapt,” said Rich.
Rich had no hesitation when asked what he considers the best part of his job: the people he supports.
“It’s being able to help enrich their lives and discover things about themselves they didn’t know,” he said.
Rich works in the Titans group at EA, where he describes his job as supporting individuals through activities and individualized assistance to make their days a little bit better. For him, he says, that’s all he can ask for. Rich has also been able to share some of the coping skills he has learned throughout his own life. For him, those moments are part of what makes the work meaningful.
Rich has been influenced heavily by a couple of people within the agency. His “buddy,” Jerimie Pecue, has been a big support for Rich. “He’s always checking in with me.”
Amanda Rock has also made a positive impact on Rich’s ARC experience. “She’s the mother of the room. Anytime I’ve had questions, I go to her. She’s done it and seen it all. She’s always a good sounding board. We call her Mother Rock.”
From his experience so far, Rich says that he’s learned better time management. He plans his day, as much as anyone can, writing notes and completing documentation whenever he has a spare moment.
Not every day is easy, no matter how much you plan. Rich says that during high-tension moments, his training has kicked in and helped him support the individuals and his co-workers.
His advice to others in the role is simple: don’t let the small things get to you.
“If you need to, step out, take a breather, come back in,” Rich said.
Outside of work, Rich is a big professional wrestling fan. He briefly recalled his days working on Public Access Television, where he and his friends would live-react to wrestling events and take call-ins while streaming wrestling content. While Rich has left amateur wrestling behind, he does enjoy getting out for hikes at Point au Roche. Rich lives with his wife, Jaime, their teenage daughter, and their many pets, including cats, lizards, and snakes, oh my!
A lifelong fan of tv and movies, Rich’s is currently watching Abbott Elementary, but his favorites include Scrubs, Psych, Chuck, and The Big Bang Theory.
When it comes to some of the lighter questions, Rich’s go-to karaoke song is “Angels” by Robbie Williams, and his favorite work drink is an Alani Nu Orange Kiss.
Looking back on his first six months at ARC, Rich says he is grateful he took a chance on a career he wasn’t sure he had the skillset for.
“I’m very appreciative of my experience and time here. It’s a job I didn’t know if I had the skillset to do, but I’m glad I did and do, because it’s made me more fulfilled and I enjoy giving back.”
