Meet Sterling
Meet Sterling McTee, a cyber engineer at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where he’s worked for the past 10 months. Sterling shares that his favorite part of the job is the incredible people he gets to work with every day. As someone early in his career, he values every chance to learn from his colleagues and looks forward to seeing where his path will lead him in the years ahead.
Working with IDB
Sterling first learned about the Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) during his freshman year at Drake University. While speaking with the financial aid office, Sterling mentioned his vision challenges, and they recommended that he contact the department for support. Soon after, Sterling became a vocational rehabilitation client and began working with a counselor to explore his educational goals and the accommodations he might need to succeed.
As he advanced through his studies in information technology and network structure, Sterling decided he wanted to pursue graduate school. With ongoing encouragement and flexibility from his counselor, he applied to—and was accepted by—Carnegie Mellon University. With IDB’s continued support, Sterling moved to Pittsburgh to further his education and take the next steps toward his career goals. Reflecting on that time, he shared:
“The flexibility was fantastic, and it worked out really well that the department was able to help out.”
Looking back, Sterling says his connection with the department expanded his sense of what was possible. His original plan was to earn his bachelor’s degree and stay in downtown Des Moines, where living close to work meant fewer transportation challenges. But with IDB’s support, he gained greater confidence and independence—opening doors to opportunities he never expected.
Final Insights
Today, Sterling’s journey has taken him across the country—from Des Moines to Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.—all while pursuing work that excites and challenges him. His advice to new clients is simple yet powerful:
“For anyone who’s just starting out with the program, you may have a clear idea of what you're trying to do right now, and that’s great, but there's a lot more down the road if you’re open to it.”
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