Dena Bliss, Employment Specialist, 707-527-4822 or
dbliss@santarosa.edu
1501 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Patie Wegman, Coordinator of Disability Resources, 707-527-4906 or
pwegman@santarosa.edu
Description:
This practice
helps disabled students improve employability skills and obtain
employment in a self-selected occupational or career area. The
program serves students with a variety of educational objectives,
including those obtaining a certificate or degree, or increasing
life skills and employability. The program works with disabled
students at any level, providing job development services such as:
¨ Career interest surveys (COPS and Myers/Briggs)
¨ Resume development
¨ Work experience through volunteer positions, job shadows or
internships
¨ Mock interviews
¨ Assistance with job placement, and
¨ Referral to the College’s Career Center to explore occupational
areas.
The college has approximately 2,000 disabled students, each of which
is a participant in the college’s case management system. These
students are referred to the program. Other referrals come from the
Department of Rehabilitation, or from faculty who are aware of
program services. An employment specialist conducts the assessments,
works with students on employability skills, assists them with job
placement, and refers them to the Career Center.
Each student that completes a significant milestone (e.g. receives
certificate or degree; becomes employed) receives a congratulations
card from the program. The program sees a high percentage of
participants pursuing either a certificate or achieving a
life-altering change.
The practice depends on having a positive, energetic employment specialist to staff the program – a person who loves the job, loves the students, and understands the realities of the world of work.