Shoot For The Stars By Getting Yourself Into The Workforce!!

1. Shoot For The Stars By Getting Yourself Into The Workforce!! Presented By Jeremiah Swisher

2. Statistics • One out of five have a disability. • One out of ten have a severe disability. • This makes people with disabilities the largest minority group throughout the country.

3. Employment Statistics By US Department On Labor Labor Force Participation • People with disabilities: 20.1% • People without disabilities: 69.3% Unemployment Rate • People with disabilities: 15.2% • People without disabilities: 8.1% Source: http://www.dol.gov/odep/

4. History Of People With Disabilities • Independent Living Movement • Passing Laws Such as Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1975 and the Americans With Disabilities Act in 1990 • And SO MUCH MORE!

5. Ways To Get A Job • Internships (optional) but recommended. • College Degree (optional) but recommended. • Apply for one right after high school (it’s up to you) • So many options, just what to do! Any options I may have missed?

6. Further Ways To Get That Job/Internship • Disability Databases such as the AAPD and the Washington Center to name a few. http://www.aapd.com/ http://www.twc.edu/internships/ • Going to conferences/networking (what you are doing) • Meet people and maintain important contact information. (I do help people with disabilities on my spare time.)

7. Internships • Try a Position out. Disability agencies and vocational rehabilitation can help you out • Sometimes they are paid internships and it’s great experience to put on your resume for a future job. • It is temporary work so you are able to get an idea in what you are really interested in when it comes time to seeking a permanent position.

8. College Degree • There are 2 year and 4 year degree options or certificates. • Having a degree helps build an educational foundation that you can relate to a job. • A wealth of knowledge means that you may eye up a job, however you must be able to sell yourself. • School can be stressful • School is quite costly unless you find assistance.

9. College Degree • If interested apply to the school you are interested in. • Check out your college that you are seeking when you click on the admissions tab that you can find on most home pages. • See credentials depending on school you want to attend

10. Credentials • Application completely filled out through admissions which can be found online. • High School Transcripts • Recommendation Letters • Accuplacerfor tech school or typically the ACT for 4 year universities. • Also once accepted possibly, don’t forget to fill out your financial aid.

11. Getting A Job • You can get a job anytime throughout your life. • The more experience and education you have built up means the more qualified you may be. • More qualified=higher job positions with better benefits sometimes. • But how can one make this possible? Any suggestions (audience?)

12. Find Your NitcheWhen It Comes To Employment! • Everyone is good at something! • We all have strengths and weaknesses and if we are weak in an area, turn it into your strong point. • Celebrate your abilities verses disability!

13. Now How To Get That Job? • Find an area that interests you? There are questionnaires you can find online. • Fill out a job application • If requested make sure to have your Resume, Cover Letter, and Reference Sheet with you. • Also make sure you know your Social Security number as many applications ask for that. • Finally learn how to “Sell Yourself”

14. Interviewing Exercise Once you fill out your job application you may be asked for an interview. (If you get an interview it’s a good sign) Demonstration of : • Good Interview • Bad Interview

15. What You Need In An Interview (checklist) • Cover Letter (sometimes) • Resume (for sure!) • Pencil/Paper • Business Dress • Bring your brain • (Anything I missed?)

16. Dos and Don’ts in an Interview • Do arrive early no more than 15 minutes early and plan accordingly. • Do not arrive late, as it leads to a bad first impression. • Dress nice by not dressing sloppy. • Plan ahead of time how you may answer common questions. • Other ideas audience, help please?

17. Some Common Interview Questions • 1. Tell me about yourself/background? • 2. Why did you apply for this position? • 3. What are your strengths and weaknesses? • 4. How well do you work in teams? • 5. What if you have a conflict what would you do? • 6. What makes you more qualified verses the other candidates? • 7. Any Questions you may have for us?

18. Finally With Jobs • The Government has set affirmative action programs which help people with disabilities to get and find jobs. • Many Organizations help jobs to find people with disabilities. So apply to a ton of different job data bases. • Anything else I missed or to add? (audience)?

19. Last But Not Least! • Please Network with each other and spread the news about this presentation! • I hope this presentation helps when pursuing the possibilities through seeking employment! • Employment/Interviews is a lot like dating!

20. Be Yourself! • Be yourself, because being different is part of being normal. • If you put your mind to it and focus on your passions, you will be able to pursue your dreams. • Dream Big!

21. Contact Information • Jeremiah Swisher Disability Advocate/Speaker 7055 N. Seneca Ave. Glendale, WI. 53217 jeremiahswisher@yahoo.com (414) 460-3774 (cell)