Transition from School to Work Dr. Karen Wolffe

Critical Issues to Discuss Functional academic skills, Transportation, Housing, Socialization & recreation, Career exploration, Job seeking, and Job maintenance.

Functional Academic Skills Basic skills employers expect:  Reading  Writing  Calculating  Listening  Speaking

Thinking skills employers expect:  Creative thinking  Decision making  Problem solving  Mental visualization  Knowing how to learn  Reasoning

Personal qualities employers expect:  Responsibility  Self-Esteem  Sociability  Self-Management  Integrity/Honesty

Transportation Decision making chart  Public/ private transportation options Social considerations Special considerations  Working with O&M instruction  Learning to read maps & schedules  Use of GPS

Housing Where to live… With whom to live… How much to pay… When to move… What kind of amenities… Special considerations for students with additional disabilities

Socialization & Recreation Incidental learning challenges Reciprocity Impact of one’s behaviors on others Explaining unique needs Exploring community-based options Exploring consumer group involvement

Career Exploration Knowledge of jobs available  Nationally  Provincially  Locally Awareness of self/job match  Interests  Abilities  Values  Work personality

Job Seeking Skills Finding job leads Completing applications (PDS) Building a résumé Self-disclosure: where, when, how Interview skills Follow-up & documentation

Job Maintenance & Advancement Basic work habits (soft skills) Critical social skills Understanding of employer expectations & how they change over time Demonstration of knowledge, skills, abilities Negotiation skills

Resources Navigating the Rapids of Life: The Transition Tote System Transition Planning for Youth with Visual Disabilities Career Counseling for People with Disabilities Transition Competencies Checklist

Resources

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