Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Career Counseling Presentation

Why are we here? To provide information on how you can enter competitive integrated employment, which means work that pays at least minimum wage and is in the community, if you choose to do this now or in the future. To give you career counseling and information you can look at on your own or with your family or friends about how to prepare for and get a job.

Group Confidentiality As a member of this group, we ask that you respect each other’s privacy and keep what is said during the meeting confidential. We encourage you to share your experiences during the meeting, but we ask that you not discuss what is said by others outside of the meeting. We cannot guarantee that everything that is shared within the meeting will stay in the room, so please share only what you are comfortable discussing. Word You Need to Know: Confidentiality Facilitator Notes: Estimated Time: 15 minutes Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) requires that you inform the participants of the information on this slide and stress the importance of following these guidelines. (This incorporates the professional ethical guidelines for working with groups.) Answer any questions these guidelines might prompt. Facilitators will need to guide the discussion around the meaning of “Confidentiality.” Have participants assist in providing examples. 3 3 3

What is Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination? Making decisions about your own life Making your voice heard Choosing what job you want to do and where you want to do it It involves making choices, asking for help when needed and setting goals for your life

High Expectations Have you had someone in your life expect a lot from you? Have you ever accomplished something that you didn’t think you could at the start and how did that make you feel? High expectations results in people accomplishing more

What About my SSI? Many people on SSI are worried about how work will affect their SSI There are supports called work incentives that ensure that people on SSI or SSDI will not lose their benefits if they go to work. The truth is that working always means that you will make more money at the end of the month than if you didn’t work IDVR and other agencies can help you and your family or guardians understand this in detail if you want.

Name: My dream job would be: My first job might be: My Strengths: Facilitator Notes: Estimated Time: 25 minutes Facilitators should model this activity for the group. Start with yourself to break the ice. Introductions for The Name Game Materials Needed: Pens/pencils Name cards The object of this activity is to have participants introduce themselves. Offer them time to complete the exercise (using the form on this slide). If participant is having difficulty responding, facilitator may suggest possible job matches. The intent of this questioning is to allow the participant to begin thinking about job interests, whether it be a rock star or a ticket taker, etc. There is no right or wrong answer; facilitator is to make no judgment.   ACTIVITY: Name/Dream Job, page 5

“I Am Someone Who…..” Enjoys_________ Hopes to_______ Collects_______ Believes in________ Likes to _______on weekends Knows how to_______ Has a pet peeve, which is_______ Thinks that _____is the most important thing in life! Word You Need to Know: Self-Esteem Facilitator Notes: Estimated Time: 20 minutes This is a “getting to know you” activity, the first self-awareness activity. You need to address the issue of self-esteem as they begin these disclosure activities. Read the statement “I am someone who” and have them one-by-one fill in the blank. Encourage participants to take turns sharing their answers aloud after everyone has completed the activity individually. Facilitator assistance may be needed. ACTIVITY: “I Am Someone Who….”, page 6 9

What Are My Strengths? Suppose the owner of a restaurant needs someone to wash dishes at his restaurant. He says that he’ll hire the person who has the best strengths or skills for that job. What would you tell him about your strengths? What strengths would be important for you to have on this job? Facilitator Notes: Estimated Time: 15 minutes You may want to prompt them to think about their strengths by asking them the questions on the slide. Refer to the “What Are My Strengths?” activity and have them take a few minutes to fill in as many of the “clouds” as they can. If they need help, refer to the completed “I Am Someone Who” activity sheet. After they have finished, go around the group and have each of them read one “cloud” that they have filled in. ACTIVITY: What Are My Strengths?, page 8 10

The Importance of Soft Skills What are soft skills? They include: The ability to get along with others on the job The ability to take feedback from your supervisor Showing up for work every day and on time and looking good How you handle stress

How Do I Learn Best? We gather and use information in a variety of ways….called learning styles! We usually have a preferred learning style: here are four possible styles We see We hear We touch We move Facilitator Notes: This will be a brief introduction to the four learning styles. Note: Throughout the workshop, facilitators will be able to observe and identify the participant’s preferred learning style. Facilitators are encouraged to note these observations for future reference. Encourage participants to identify what they believe their preferred learning style is; facilitators can assist by offering what they have seen, which demonstrates the participant’s learning style. 12 12 12

What Do You Like To Do? A big part of choosing a job is whether you think you will “LIKE” that job Facilitator Notes: Estimated Time: 30 minutes LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Participants will understand the importance of interests in determining an employment goal. Indicate that we will now be exploring different characteristics of who they are – what they LIKE to do! 13 13 13

Six Personality Types Doers – Prefer to work with their hands Thinkers – Prefer to figure things out in their minds Creators – Prefer to express themselves by writing, singing, drawing, etc. Helpers – Prefer to work helping others Persuaders – Prefer to convince others; sell things Organizers – Prefer to organize information, things, etc. Facilitator Notes: This is a review of the Six personality types and their preferences regarding work. Each type solves problems in different ways. This is the reason that people choose or prefer different types of jobs. The next few slides will provide examples of the Six Personality Types. Indicate that we will refer back to these types when we talk about SKILLS. 14

How Do I Decide What Jobs are Right for me? READ information about your jobs of interest. TALK to someone who does that job. That’s called informational interviewing VISIT the workplace of that job. That’s called job-shadowing. VOLUNTEER to get some experience related to that job. Facilitator Notes: There are many ways to learn about occupations….read, talk, visit and get some experience. Discuss slide and seek examples of activities they have done which will help them make decisions about the job that is right for them. 15 15

Helping you Understand Different Jobs Labor Market Information (LMI) http://www.explorevr.org/toolkits/labor-market-information The Career Index https://beta.thecareerindex.com/dsp_intro.cfm

What if you need help on the job? You can get supported employment or customized employment You can get an accommodation on the job, which is any change in the way things are usually done to help a person with a disability perform the job

Types of Job Accommodations Modifying a work schedule Providing a reader or interpreter Using large print for written materials Assistive technology

Assistive Technology

People you know Your Support Network Think of it like the rings of a spider web and you’re in the middle…….. People, such as….. Family/relatives/neighbors Guardian or Conservator Friends Teachers/guidance counselor VR Counselor People in your community, clubs, church, etc. They can help you find and keep a job Facilitator Notes: Have participants think of a list of people that they could include in their network. Who is going to be helpful in the process of finding the right job? If need be, suggest some people that they might include such as: their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC), their support persons, family members, etc. Activity: People You Know/Job Network, pages 19-20 20

Where do you go from here? If you want help finding a job, you can apply for IDVR services IDVR will write a plan with you to help ensure that you have what you need to be successful on the job We will help you with training and job search basics and provide you with support on the job Your packet includes information on other agencies that can help you find employment as well

Questions?