ˈæftɚ ɡɹˈædjuːˌeɪɾɪŋ kˈɑːlɪdʒ ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɪksti sˈɛvən, kˈɪtʃəl bɪɡˈæn hɜː kɚɹˈɪɹ æz ɐn ˈɛntɹilˈɛvəl sˈoʊʃəl wˈɜːkɚɹ ɪnðə sənt. dʒˈɑːnzbɛɹi dˈɪstɹɪkt ˈɑːfɪs ʌvðə vɜːmˈɔnt dᵻpˈɑːɹtmənt ʌv sˈoʊʃəl wˈɛlfɛɹ.
After graduating college in 1967, Kitchel began her career as an entry-level social worker in the St. Johnsbury district office of the Vermont Department of Social Welfare.