Developing a Career Component for Students with Developmental
Download
Report
Transcript Developing a Career Component for Students with Developmental
Learning for a Lifetime
Developing a Career Strand for
Students with
Developmental Disabilities
Elmhurst Life Skills Academy
at Elmhurst College
Learning for a Lifetime
www.elmhurst.edu/elsa
Kristin Boxall
ELSA Career Development Coach
[email protected]
Rob Graber, Educational and Job Coach
Objectives of this session
Gain knowledge of the key areas of Elmhurst Life Skills
Academy (ELSA) and their importance
Identify the various components to the ELSA career strand
and learn about steps taken to develop this strand
Obtain an understanding of the various types of work
experiences in which students can participate
Identify how supportive employment, job coaching, and
mentoring can play a role in the success of various working
experiences
Learn how to implement various components of a career
program for young adults with developmental disabilities
What is Elmhurst Life Skills Academy
(ELSA)?
Four-year college-like program
For young adults with learning and/or developmental
disabilities
Minimum third grade reading and math levels
Motivated and wanting to “go to college”
Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
35 students--ages range from 18 to 29 years old
Pre-determined curriculum
Most students commute
Certificate of Completion at graduation
Inclusive graduation ceremony
We are in our 5th year and will have our second graduating
class May 2010!
Learning for a Lifetime
The ELSA Class of 2009!
What are the key areas of the
ELSA program?
Academics (5 strands in curriculum)
Social and recreational experience
Career exploration and work experience
ELSA Key Area
Number 1
Academics
5 Academic Strands
Literacy
Social Issues
Independent Living
Math/Technology/Science
Career
Educational Coaching
All students have access to Educational
Coaching
Designed to assist individual students with
planning, organizing, and completing
assignments with assistance for Educational
Coaches
Coaches are Elmhurst College students
Coaching is available 2 hours per week
Group setting
One-to-one assistance if needed
Freshman Coursework
Exploration of Self and Campus
Introduction to College Life
Social Issues and Diversity
Reading and Writing Strategies
Introduction to Computers
Life Skills and Healthy Living I
Career Exploration and Development
Community and Citizenship Social Issues
Differentiating Literacy Skills
Oral Storytelling and Mathematics
Sophomore Coursework
Life Skills and Healthy Living II
Career by Design
Interpersonal and Relationship Skills
Narrative and Expository Writing
Concepts and Strategies of Math
Managing Everyday Stress and Anxiety
Careers and Community Skills
Societal Issues/ Self Determination
Application of Literacy Skills to Workplace
Introduction to Biology
Junior Coursework
Focus on Nutrition, Health and Cooking
Career Development and Planning
Investigation to Social Issues
Rhetoric and Advocating
Geography: Passport to the World
Planning for Independence
Career Development: Work in the Community
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
The Art of Literacy
Advanced Computer Skills/ Financial Smarts
Senior Coursework
Focus on Future Planning
Career Internship I
Service Learning Exploration
Business Communications I
Computers in the Workplace
Getting Hired: Internship II
Backpack to Briefcase
Service Learning Capstone Project
Portfolio Development/ Computer Skills
Business Communications II
Elmhurst College has a January Term
9 hours a week for 4 weeks
Seniors work in Internships during January
Courses for other students include
Individual Focus I
Images to Communication
Multicultural Living in Today’s Society
ELSA Key Area
Number 2
Social and Recreational Experiences
Social and Recreational Experiences
Peer Mentor Program consisting of Elmhurst
College and ELSA students
Committee meeting each week
Plans social and recreational activities
Promotes decision making, planning, and
leadership skills for ELSA students
Students can join clubs, attend games, etc.
Builds social network especially with typical
Elmhurst College students
ELSA Key Area Number 3
Career exploration and
work experience
Freshmen Career Courses
Courses
Description
Introduction to
College Life (Fall)
Designed to introduce students to promote
success in college. Focus on goal setting and
motivation, learning styles, life on campus, and
strategies to learn effectively.
Career Exploration
and Development
(Spring)
Designed to learn about career paths and
discover more about vocational interests and
aptitudes. Topics include: career paths,
employment and the world of work.
Examples of Freshman Assignments
Complete weekly journal entries on Blackboard
Complete a self-directed action plan
Become involved in Elmhurst College life by
joining a student organization or club
Researching and reporting on career options
and opportunities
Research various career clusters
Start to identify pathways
Sophomore Career Courses
Courses
Description
Career by Design
(Fall)
Students continue to develop various skills
necessary in learning about career paths and
vocational interests and aptitudes. Keyboarding,
general office skills, and informational interviewing
are introduced.
Career and
Community Skills
(Spring)
A continuation of Career by Design. Students
participate in on and off campus Job Observations.
Examples of Sophomore Assignments
Researching and reporting on career
options and opportunities
Research Employment Ads
Informational interviews
Job Observations
Written correspondence
Sophomore Work Component—Fall
Informational Interviews
Students find someone to interview on their
own
Students prepares lists of relevant questions
Benefits of Informational Interviews
Explore careers and clarify career goals
Expand professional network
Build confidence in interviewing skills
Access to up-to-date career information
Sophomore Work Component—Spring
Job Observations
2 job observations—one on campus, one off campus
4 hours total, 1 hour per week for 4 weeks
What is a job observation?
Short-term
Students observes people working in the workplace
Students take notes and journal
Hands-on work in some cases
Includes an informational interview
Student receive handbook
Purpose of job observation
Exposes students to a variety of jobs and careers
Helps students learn what skills and education is needed to
do certain jobs
Helps students make informed choices about pursuing a
certain job or career path
Junior Career Courses
Courses
Description
Career Development &
Planning I
(Fall)
Continue the process of career exploration,
developing communication, writing and computer skills
necessary for employment. Students begin field
experience on campus or in the in community.
Career Development &
Planning II
(Spring)
Process of developing skills necessary for
employment in the community. Communication,
decision making, resume, portfolio, career interests,
and strengths.
Examples of Junior Assignments
Complete job application (paper and on-line)
Conduct informational interview
Research company of where they will be working
Mock interview
Presentation of job placement
Resume writing and building
Thank you correspondence
Junior Work Component—Field
Experiences
2 Field Experiences (Fall and Spring)
32 hours total—4 hours per week for 8 weeks
Placements are based on students’ career/job
interests
Job application and mock interview
Training and/or orientation
Job shadowing
Task analysis/supports/job coaching
Students work independently
Senior Career Courses
Course
Description
Career
Internship I
(Fall)
Students prepare for their January internship
placement. Developing skills for landing and keeping
a job and conflict resolution in the workplace.
Building and maintaining a resume and job portfolio.
Practicing Interviewing Skills
Actual Internship
(January)
Students intern at various companies/organizations
Career
Internship II
(Spring)
Students reflect on their January internship
placements. Students walk through the steps
necessary for their own job search.
Examples of Senior Assignments
Complete job application
Conduct informational interview
Research company
Mock interview
Attend Internship Workshops
Resume writing and building
Thank you correspondence
Presentation of job internship
Create a network
Senior Work Component--Internship
Internships take place in January
Minimum of 9 hours per week for 4 weeks
Internship sites are pre-determined
Areas of career or job interest
Students attend 2 Internship Workshops
Time cards and journals
Job coaching and supports
Presentation to fellow students
Internships--January
7 students interning this January
Music Clerk at a music store
Filing Clerk in Human Resources Department
Activities intern at nursing home
Assistant animal care intern at zoo
Activities intern at learning center
Clerical intern at hospice agency
Classroom helper in a kindergarten program
Role of Mentors and Job Coaches at
Internship Sites
Review of Functional Assessment
Goals and target areas
Train student on-site
Provide support as needed
Task analysis
Break down tasks
Provides lists or visuals if necessary
Work with host toward independence
Finding Placements in the Community
Local and family owned businesses
Not-for-profits with volunteer programs
Present information at Service Organization
meetings
Letter with follow-up
Just walk in
Sell program and students
Questions?
Thank you for your interest in Elmhurst
Life Skills Academy and attending this
session.