1. Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Career Counseling Presentation

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. “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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Helping you Understand Different Jobs
Labor Market Information (LMI)
The Career Index

17. 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

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

19. Assistive Technology

20. 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

21. 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

22. Questions?