Andrew’s Success

Andrew spent four years rolling silverware and prepping the kitchen at a restaurant in Eldersburg, Md. He enjoyed it, but yearned for work experience beyond food service. In November 2015, Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley connected Andrew with Rachuba Group, a family-owned, real estate management company likewise based in Carroll County. Andrew started volunteering as an office assistant in the company’s Piney Ridge apartment complex, sharpening skills instead of the blades he prepped at the restaurant. A scant seven months later, Andrew had impressed Rachuba Group with his professionalism and dependability as a volunteer to the point of earning a paid, full-time position as an administrative office assistant. Andrew earned GIMV’s 2016 Graduate of the Year award and began to thrive soon after joining the Piney Ridge staff. He mastered office tasks such as filing, copying, and mailing, before seeking and accepting challenges in other areas of employment. Andrew enrolled in GIMV courses on Microsoft Excel and Photoshop, which helped him earn and complete new tasks like creating flyers and event pages, processing invoices, updating maintenance work orders and generating notices for residents. But his initiative extends beyond the office door, and Rachuba Group has recognized and rewarded his gumption. Andrew expanded his knowledge of rental property management by participating in training programs on fair housing and discrimination. That’s helped him go beyond his comfort zone — he gives tours of the apartment complex to potential residents.