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

Presented By Jeremiah Swisher

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.

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/

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!

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?

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.)

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.

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.

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

Credentials

• Application completely filled out through admissions which can be found online.

• High School Transcripts • Recommendation Letters• Accuplacer for tech school or typically the ACT

for 4 year universities. • Also once accepted possibly, don’t forget to fill

out your financial aid.

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?)

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!

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”

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

What You Need In An Interview (checklist)

• Cover Letter (sometimes)• Resume (for sure!)• Pencil/Paper • Business Dress • Bring your brain• (Anything I missed?)

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?

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?

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)?

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!

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!

Contact Information

• Jeremiah SwisherDisability Advocate/Speaker7055 N. Seneca Ave.Glendale, WI. 53217jeremiahswisher@yahoo.com(414) 460-3774 (cell)