1. Workplace Skills Group Autism & Asperger Connections 10/5/13

2. 2 Today’s Agenda 1:00-1:10 – Welcome/Introductions 1:10-1:40 – Foundations for Successful Living (Guest Speaker) 1:40-1:45 – Break 1:45-2:00 – Identifying Job Skills/Interests 2:00-2:15 – Exploring the Job Market 2:15-2:20 – Break 2:20-2:45 – Developing Your Job Search Strategy 2:45-2:50 – Assignment for Next Meeting 2:50-2:55 – Q&A / Opens 2:55-3:00 – Wrap-Up

3. 3 Foundations for Successful Living

4. 4 Break Please be back in 5 minutes

5. 5 Identifying Job Skills/Interests

6. 6 Career Test Assignment from last meeting:  Complete the Career Test at http://www.yourfreecareertest.com/ http://www.yourfreecareertest.com/

7. 7 How to Interpret the Career Test Interest Level  Assigned to each career category based on your responses  Helps you identify general career categories that would be a good fit based on your interests Business, Management, & Administration ComputersCulinaryEducation & Training Fixing & BuildingHealth ScienceHelping PeopleLanguage & Communications Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security Math & Engineering Natural SciencesOutdoors And/Or Physical Social SciencesTechnologyVisual and Performing Arts Wellness & Athletics Career Categories

8. 8 How to Interpret the Career Test Recommended Courses  Courses to take (high school or college) Example Careers  Several career options provided for each career category  Gives you an idea of the types of jobs or careers that might be a good fit for you  Meant to provide a starting point – example: Career Category “Computers” includes: Network and Security, Computer Programmer (various), Digital Media (various), Computer Forensics, Cryptanalyst, Robotics, Computer Support Specialist, Computer Hardware Engineer, Game Design and Development

9. 9 Discussion How well do your career test results match up with your skills/strengths?  Tip: Write down your skills/strengths and review them with a trusted friend or family member What types of jobs or careers might be a good fit for you?  Tip: Look for the starting point/entry position that is right for you (based on your current skills/strengths) What other questions do you have about your career test results?

10. 10 Exploring the Job Market

11. 11 Exploring the Job Market Start here: Pikes Peak Workforce Center  http://www.ppwfc.org/ http://www.ppwfc.org/ Explore:  job outlook and earning potential for jobs you’re interested in – http://www.onetonline.org/http://www.onetonline.org/  sample job descriptions (also at link above)  job opportunities in Colorado Springs – www.indeed.com www.indeed.com  potential employers - employer websites

12. 12 Discussion What kind of company/workplace would be the best fit for you?  size  values  culture  location  benefits Visit company websites to learn about the above Visit www.glassdoor.com to see what current/former employees say about different companieswww.glassdoor.com

13. 13 Break Please be back in 5 minutes

14. 14 Developing Your Job Search Strategy

15. 15 Developing Your Job Search Strategy College career services & recruiting: if you are in college (or have graduated from college), you have access to on-campus career services Career/job fairs: http://www.ppwfc.org/page.php?s=89http://www.ppwfc.org/page.php?s=89 Networking: the vast majority of jobs are filled through networking – make connections with people who work for (or know someone who works for) the companies you’re interested in Online job listings: www.indeed.comwww.indeed.com Company websites

16. 16 Discussion Who can be your job search mentor or advisor?  Tip: Identify a trusted friend or family member who will provide feedback along the way and go to job fairs, etc. with you Whom can you network with?  Tip: Identify people you know (or friends of people you know) who work in the type of job/company you’re interested in. See whether there are networking groups you can join. What additional information do you need to start your job search?  Tip: Join Autism & Asperger Connections’ Facebook group. It’s a great place to ask questions and receive support from a large group of people between meetings! Visit http://autismaspergerconnections.org/contact-us/ for info http://autismaspergerconnections.org/contact-us/

17. 17 Assignment for Next Meeting Nov WS Group Topic: “Applying for Jobs” Assignment for next meeting  If you’re currently looking for a job: Pick two jobs you’re interested in (based on your career test results) and explore the job market and potential job opportunities/employers in Colorado Springs (see slide #11)  If you’re currently employed: Check out the free training and career development workshops at http://www.ppwfc.org/http://www.ppwfc.org/

18. 18 Q&A / Opens

19. 19 Thank you for coming today!