Getting Yourself Into The Workforce!!

1. 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 as of September 2012 • People with disabilities: 21.9% • People without disabilities: 69.3% Unemployment Rate • People with disabilities: 13.5% • People without disabilities: 7.3% Source: http://www.dol.gov/odep/

4. Ways To Get A Job • Internships (optional) but recommended. • College Degree (optional) but recommended. • Getting a Job (The Ultimate Goal!) • Apply for an option right after high school. (it’s up to you) • There are so many options, just what to do! Any options I may have missed?

5. What I Did • Even though there is no direct path as each person is different. • I decided to attend college after high school, which I plan to graduate next Winter in 2013 with Bachelor Degrees in Business Administration and Political Science. • During my time in college, I interned for the National Council on Independent Living and the Association of People Supporting Employment First.

6. What I Learned From What I Did • More Independence • More Issues that face people with disabilities. • How Congress acts (nothing gets done often times) • It’s one thing to learn from a textbook, but it’s another thing to gain experience in the issue areas that you are interested in • Experience over knowledge is priceless!!

7. Furthermore, 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.)

8. When You Receive A Position • 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?)

9. The Aftermath: What have we learned so far? • We certainly learned more about jobs. • We have learned that the economy is not as friendly as it used to be • Also there are some things that we can take out from this powerpoint.

10. Find Your Nitche When 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!

11. 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”

12. 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)?

13. 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!

14. 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!

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