Jess Wenstrom didn’t start out seeking a career working with people with disabilities. But she knew she wanted a career that would make the community better, and use her talents and skills. Isn’t that what everyone wants?

Fast forward to today, Jess has worked with MSS for more than seven years, and held four different job titles!

This is the first in a series of interviews with MSS staff. Stay tuned for additional interviews to be released soon!

If you’re looking for a great career with a talented team of dedicated professionals, check out our current openings.

Question (Q): How long have you worked for MSS?

Jess Wenstrom (JW): I have worked at MSS for 7 1/2 years.

Q: What roles have you had at MSS?

JW: I started my career as a Direct Support Professional for about four months. I worked as a Service Coordinator for about three years. Then, I worked as a Program Supervisor for about three years. I have been the Program Director at the Eagan site for 5 months.

Q: What first interested you in working for MSS? How did you hear about the opening?

JW: I was looking for a job in the nonprofit field in 2012 during the recession. I saw the position posted on Craigslist. I knew nothing about the field, and the website at the time looked pretty sad and scammy, but my interaction with Jenna Childs over the phone piqued my interest so I came in for an interview. I originally applied for the Saint Paul office, but they forwarded my application to Eagan due to my background in music.

I had no experience in the field, but knew I wanted to find a career working to better my community and use my talents and skills to support others to live more independent and fulfilling lives. When I toured MSS, I was initially pretty shocked to learn that there were services like MSS, and that people with severe/profound disabilities were living lives adjacent to me in my community, but completely invisible to me in my daily life. There was a brain injury support group that met at the coffee shop I worked at in college, so I was used to working with people who needed some support but could use metro mobility to navigate parts of their community independently.

Seeing a community of people who don’t use words to communicate, who need staff support for many if not all aspects of their lives, was eye-opening. I was attracted to the position due to the strong creative arts focus and the flexibility staff were allowed to design and implement programming.

As a musician, I was excited to find a career where I could use some of my musical skills to reach others. I really wasn’t sure if it would be a good fit and had reservations about some aspects of the position (driving, assisting people with restroom support and responding so seizures to name a few), but after speaking with others during my second interview, I learned that many of the team members were artists, had creative outlets through their work, and found real meaning in their lives through their career at MSS. I thought- what is the worst that can happen? I accepted a position. Almost immediately, I discovered that a lot of what I loved about jobs in food service (fast-paced environment, active job, able to put smiles on people’s faces, working hard with a team of people to accomplish a lot in a short period of time) were things I enjoyed about my job at MSS.

The woman who trained me in was a very strong mentor, hard worker and, like me, she was a musician. Seeing her lead program classes, teach songs, support people to sing and make music, was really inspiring to me. We immediately started a choir for a holiday concert, and were able to bring the joy of making music with a group to the people we support. It didn’t matter if people could read music, sing a tune, speak words or follow along to these songs - the power of a choir where everyone’s contributions were valued equally and everyone was supported to engage with their whole selves was inspiring. I was able to sing, play guitar and support others to communicate more through music, and I was hooked.

Q: What is your current role and what duties does it include?

JW: I currently work at the Program Director at MSS. With support from the Program Supervisor, I supervise a team of 21 staff, oversee intakes and person-centered programs for 77 people receiving services, and I work with others to ensure our site in Eagan is in-compliance with 245D, the HCBS Final Rule, the MN Olmstead Plan, and CARF standards.

I believe that I am part of a team of people working to drive services forward, continue to innovate, and work to ensure that everyone we support agency-wide has an opportunity to live the life they choose. I work on the Strategic Planning committee to anticipate where services are going and create and implement plans to stay at the cutting edge of the field. I work as one of two CPR/First Aid trainers for the agency, ensuring staff receive high-quality training with focus on topics most relevant to the job. Though my position no longer includes ad-hoc music therapy, I worked to implement 4.5 weekly hours of music therapy at the Eagan center to support the continuation of people’s goals and communication through music, as well as the MSS choir. And, when I do have the opportunity to work as a DSP, I have a guitar and assortment of rhythm instruments waiting to be called into action.

Q: What jobs did you have before working at MSS?

JW: I worked at several local coffee shops and a local restaurant. I also worked in a bookshop, and had a very boring desk job working as an administrative assistant for the Occupational Therapy department at a University.

Q: What do you like most about working for MSS?

JW: I love working for a company where my ideas are valued, and where I have the freedom and flexibility to innovate services in real-time based on what is working. I love the attitude of doing what is right, not what is easy. I love that licensing is important, but never something to stand in the way of a real, personal relationship or a new opportunity. I love that MSS values the arts, and gives people with disabilities an avenue for self-expression, self-exploration and a career path through the creative arts. I believe that the arts is where human value exists, and am grateful to be able to bring value to the lives and experiences of the people I support through the arts. I believe that MSS values its employees, and have never felt unappreciated, under-valued or “stuck” in this job. I truly love working for MSS.

Q: What has surprised you most about working at MSS?

JW: The potential that the people we support have to achieve, to create, to learn, to grow, to change your life and to change their own lives. When you focus on people’s strengths and interests and provide supports to help people get what they want from life, the potential is limitless. When you put people in the driver’s seat of their own programs and lives, the results are pretty incredible.

Q: What would you tell someone who may be interested in applying to work at MSS?

JW: MSS is a fantastic company to work for. The leadership truly values each and every person who works here. MSS values professional development, and you can see examples of people who have “worked up the ranks” throughout the leadership team, including our President/CEO. MSS is mission-driven and puts the people of MSS (both providing and receiving services) above all else. If you like to work hard, enjoy strong teamwork, and want a job where your work each day makes a tangible difference, MSS is the place for you!

If you’re ready to join the MSS team, click here to view our current job openings and submit your application today!