Pellissippi State Community College Universal Pathways to Employment Best Practices for Work-Based Learning and Employer Engagement Pellissippi State Community College Melissa VanDyke, M.S. Business Liaison

Universal Pathways to Employment (UPEP) UPEP is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor through the Office of Disability Employment Policy Delivers integrated education and career training opportunities to students with disabilities

Universal Pathways to Employment 1 (UPEP) Participants must be: Student enrolled at Pellissippi State Community College Have a documented disability Between the ages of 14 and 24 Majoring in an Associate of Applied Science Degree

Program Highlights Students are provided a Career Specialist to coordinate services and a Business Liaison to guide work-based learning activities Students receive academic coaching that supports the transition from high school to college. Students are tutored in English and Math while also being coached on learning strategies and connecting with campus resources to be successful UPEP pays for those students who need updated psycho-educational documentation so that accommodations can be provided that accurately reflect functional limitations Students are divided into levels according to their academic year Bronze: First year Silver: Second year Silver Plus: Third year Gold: Final semester (may be any year that the student is in their final semester)

Program Highlights 1 Students can earn a book stipend and scholarship by working with their career coach to successfully complete their contract In addition to completing the contract, students must take at least 12 credit hours and receive a “C” or better in all of their classes to receive a $500 scholarship

UPEP Student Contracts Contracts correlate to student level ( Bronze, Silver, Silver Plus, Gold) Contracts provide a menu of opportunities including required and points opportunities for students to participate in. The contracts are divided into four sections: Self- Exploration, Career Exploration, Career Planning and Management, and Work-Based Learning

UPEP Student Contracts 1 Bronze emphasizes self- exploration leading to self- advocacy, and work-based learning to support career counseling in the first semester As the student progresses, the emphasis moves away from self-exploration and into career planning and management and work-based learning

Bronze Contract Goals Successful transition from high school Build self-advocacy skills Workshops Study Skills and Time Management Job Application It’s Summer, What Now? Increase engagement on campus Club Connect Sharing Our Area Resources (SOAR) Peer to Peer Mentoring

Bronze Contract 1 Goals Career Exploration Work-Based Learning Career Assessment Career Counseling Jobs4TN Career Fair Work-Based Learning Job Shadowing Site Visits Informational Interviews Summer Employment Community Service

Silver Contract Goals Career Support Skills Resume writing Identifying references Cover letter Explore opportunities in their degree field Research job titles and descriptions on O*Net Career Jeopardy

Silver Contract 1 Goals Soft Skills Workshops Interview Skills Business and Professional Communication Teamwork It’s Summer, What Now? P30 (Profile in 30) Workshop and participate in P30 Challenge Mock Interview with Career Coach

Silver Contract 2 Goals Work-Based Learning Site Visits Informational Interviews Summer Employment Community Service Workforce Recruitment Program Employer Mentor Internship

Silver Plus/Gold Contract Goals Career Planning and Management Resume writing Identifying references Cover letter Mock interviews with Business Liaison and employers Career Fair

Silver Plus/Gold Contract 1 Goals Soft Skills Workshops WRP Targeted Resumes Social Media Disability Disclosure Job Search Techniques Preparing for Change: From College Student to Career Professional So You Think You Want to Move Out

Silver Plus/Gold Contract 2 Goals Work-Based Learning Community Service Workforce Recruitment Program Site Visit Employer Mentor Summer Employment or Internship Internship for academic credit

Employer Engagement Understanding your Business Community Evaluating the cultural climate of employers as it relates to disability employment Do businesses in your community support disability employment? Are there business leaders who support disability employment advocacy? Large Corporations vs. Small Businesses Degrees Do you have employers that are government funded or government contractors in your area? If employers are familiar with your program, do they know what disability community you serve?

Employer Engagement 1 Initial Employer Engagement Where do you find employers for work-based learning? Memberships in Disability Employment Advocacy Groups Agencies and College/Universities Career Fairs Networking

Employer Engagement 2 Family and Friends Faculty and Staff Cold Calling Students and Parents ?

Employer Engagement 3 Strategies Start with job shadowing or informational interviews first if employer is resistant to internships If there are issues with confidentiality, ask for informational interviews, or site visits. Many times these employers will do workshops or mock interviews Leverage the experience of engaged employers to advocate for you with new employers Seek out alumni

Struggles and Lessons If an employer is resistant, move on Practice, practice, practice (mock interviews, P30, etc) Helping students on the autism spectrum embrace work-based learning Some students do not realize the goal of their education is employment Students unaware of the importance of being exposed to the workplace while determining their major and preparing for work upon graduation

UPEP Staff Indira Richardson Project Director Indira's email 865-539-7390   LaKietha Jackson Community Liaison LaKietha's email 865-539-7391 Melissa VanDyke Business Liaison Melissa's email 865-694-6740 LaQuinta Jackson Career Specialist LaQuinta's email 865-539-7402  Jennifer Cozart Jennifer's email 865-539-7192  Michelle Miller Administrative Secretary Michelle's email 865-694-6596