Working with Purpose: Having
Experience Under Your Belt
Julie Ouellette, M.Ed., CCC
Paul Menton Centre
for Students With Disabilities,
Carleton University
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Nov. 15, 2008
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Earnings and Unemployment Rate
by Educational Attainment
Source: Occupational Outlook Quarterly (Fall 2008)
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Nov. 15, 2008
In your job search, have you seen…
“Minimum two to three years of
relevant experience.”
“At least two years direct service
experience.”
“Experience preferred.”
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Nov. 15, 2008
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Educational Attainment
Source: Occupational Outlook Quarterly (Fall 2008)
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“I should think you’d
jump at the chance to
hire me right out of
college. I haven’t
been previously
owned, so to speak.”
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Nov. 15, 2008
The Benefits of Having
Work Experience – Employer
• Can you apply what you are learning in
school in our work setting?
(theory to practice)
• What will you contribute to our
organisation?
• What strengths will you bring to our team?
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Most importantly, can you do the work?
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The Benefits of Having
Work Experience – Employee
• Financial reasons
• Change of pace from academics
• Can bring context and meaning to studies
• Learn more about the options available to
you with your education
• Develop a sense of competence with
workplace learning
• Help determine a future career
• Decide for whom you would like to work
• Social participation
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But can you balance academics
and work?
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Potential Challenges
For Students With Disabilities
• You are already taking a reduced course load and don’t
have time to work
• Because of funding sources you can’t earn too much
additional money
• You have never worked in your field or in a professional
setting and don’t know your disability-related needs
• Your disability is non-visible and you don’t know how to
ask and employer for what you need to be successful
• You don’t want to extend your degree program longer
with a coop or similar program
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Nov. 15, 2008
How To Gain Experience As A Student
What’s available within your institution?
• Cooperative education
• Programs with built-in internships, placements,
apprenticeships
• Experiential learning opportunities
• Research assistant (RA) positions
• Teaching assistant (TA) positions
• Paraprofessional roles (mentor or peerassistance programs)
• Semester abroad
• Alternate spring break program
How To Gain Experience As A Student
What’s available within your school or community?
• Temporary
• Occasional/seasonal
• Part-time opportunities
• Volunteer positions
What are possible alternate work arrangements?
• Flextime
• Job sharing
• Telecommuting
• Working from home
• Time-shared workspace
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Nov. 15, 2008
Potential Organizational Myths
for Students With Disabilities
• YLNTM or “You look normal to me”
• People with disabilities will need more training
• Accommodations cannot be made for short-term
and/or student employment
• Accommodations are too expensive
**You may need to demystify disability**
Top Personal Qualities Employers Seek
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Communication Skills (verbal and written)
Work ethic
Ability to work well with others
Initiative
Ability to relate well to others
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Job
Outlook 2008
What Post-Secondary Students
Look For In An Employer
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Enjoying your work
Honesty and fairness
Employs ethical business practices
Benefits package
Provides stability and security
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers’ 2006
Graduating Student & Alumni Survey
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Nov. 15, 2008
Reframing Your Job Search
Do not undervalue your skills!
have to work
WORK
ATTITUDE
want to work
get to work
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Where to go for help?
•
•
•
•
•
Online job search sites
Post-secondary institution’s career centre
Disability services office
People: family, friends, classmates, instructors
Community agencies, professional organisations
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Nov. 15, 2008
Questions?
Julie Ouellette
Julie_ouellette@carleton.ca
Carleton University
www.carleton.ca
Paul Menton Centre
www.carleton.ca/pmc