Identifying possible careers which suit your interests and abilities is very important to building your future. To help you do this, find out what School-to-Careers activities exist at your school and participate; no one can be excluded because of disabilities.
Answer the following questions and complete the checklists to help identify activities and training issues which will equip you for successful employment.
What kind of work would you like to do? ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What kind of environment will you enjoy working in?______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What kind of training will you need for that work?_______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Will you need on-the-job support? ___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
If yes, what kind and for how long? __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Employment Traits Assessment
Rate yourself, and then have someone who knows you really well (like a parent) complete this checklist of qualities that employers look for in employees:
|
Needs Training |
Needs Support |
Does |
|
|
PUNCTUALITY |
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| Is ready for school on time | |||
| Shows up at expected time | |||
|
DEPENDABILITY |
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| Calls if late or absent | |||
| Rarely or never absent | |||
|
RESPECTS SELF AND OTHERS |
|||
| Tells the truth | |||
| Respects others’ belongings | |||
| Accepts constructive criticism | |||
|
TAKES PRIDE IN WORK |
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| Does careful and accurate work | |||
| Attempts to correct mistakes | |||
| Takes initiative to do new duties | |||
|
APPEARANCE |
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| Good personal hygiene | |||
| Wears appropriate clothing | |||
|
COMMUNICATION |
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| Able to follow directions | |||
| Asks appropriate questions at the times | |||
|
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS |
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| Works well with others | |||
| Has appropriate social behaviors | |||
| Able to handle peer pressure | |||
|
USE OF TRANSPORTATION |
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| Able to get to work area from drop-off point | |||
| Able to get to pick-up point from work area | |||
|
FLEXIBILITY |
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| Adjusts to changes in assignments | |||
| Able to learn new, related tasks | |||
|
JOB PRODUCTIVITY |
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| Handles equipment and supplies carefully | |||
| Knows and follows the rules of the job | |||
| Stays on task | |||
| Works at adequate speed | |||
| Has adequate endurance |
- Have a vocational assessment to find out what you can do best.
- Check with career guidance counselors to learn about the many career possibilities and School-to-Career activities.
- Get some work experience in school or the community such as volunteer work, a summer job, work study, or job shadowing.
- Learn about supported employment services that help you learn to do a job successfully, like a job coach or working in a group.
- Find out what career related courses are available in school to help you reach your goals (such as computer literacy, college preparatory or vocational/technical).
- Find out about adult services like Vocational Rehabilitation, Division of Services for People with Disabilities, Social Security Administration, etc. which have eligibility requirements.
- Learn what habilitative day training programs are available if you are unable to learn job skills.
- Other:_______________________________________________________________
As you consider various work/day programs, here are some questions to help you determine their suitability:
- What services are provided and when?
- What skills areas are included in the training?
- What are the entry requirements and costs of the program?
- What is the earning potential for participants in this program?
- What opportunities for access to the community are provided?
- How long do people stay and where do they go when they leave?
- How long is the wait to get into the program?
Set Employment Based Goals
First, write three goals based on the information gained in this section on employment. Next, write three specific activities for each goal that will help to reach that particular goal.
Example:
Goal:
- Get a part-time job.
Activities:
- Write or update résumé.
- Practice interview skills.
- Contact and apply to three businesses.
Goal 1: _________________________________________________
Activity 1a. __________________________________________________
Activity 1b. __________________________________________________
Activity 1c. __________________________________________________
Goal 2: __________________________________________________
Activity 2a. __________________________________________________
Activity 2b. __________________________________________________
Activity 2c. __________________________________________________
Goal 3: _________________________________________________
Activity 3a. ___________________________________________________
Activity 3b. __________________________________________________
Activity 3c. ___________________________________________________
This content is taken from the Utah Parent Center handbook:
From NO Where to KNOW Where: A Parent Handbook for the Transition to
Adult Life.