Tapestry, Spring 2009 TEXT ONLY

TAPESTRY Weaving together a vibrant and inclusive community
SPRING 2009 Issue 9

UNC Charlotte Office of Disability Services
230 Fretwell tel:704-687-4355 fax: 704-687-3226 email: dissrvcs@uncc.edu website: www.ds.uncc.edu

THE OFFICE OF DISABILITY SERVICES is: Jo Ann Fernald, Director: 687-2351 Jill Gosnell , Student Services Coordinator: 687-6026 Kristin Kolin, Associate Director : 687-3136 Vonetta Blakely, Assistant Director: 687-3102 Janette Lawrence, Assistant Director : 687-2132 Katie Montie, Assistant Director: 687-3102 Aaron Forsyth, Assistive Technology Specialist : 687-3088

Inside This Issue

Did You Know ? It’s All About the J.O.B
The Real World with KaSheena
Work Force Recruitment
Campus Spotlight ~ University Career Center TECHNO(te) : Assistive Technology @ Work
Faculty Corner ~ Guiding a Student’s Career Path
IMPORTANT DATES

Did You Know ?
The note taking program will soon become paperless! Note Takers will be able to use scanners across campus to scan their notes and upload them to a secure & centralized website. This website maintains confidentiality while ensuring notes are emailed to qualified students.For more information visit www.ds.uncc.edu!

It’s All About the J.O.B.!

The spring semester is well under way and thoughts of graduating and planning a life outside the walls of UNC Charlotte are on the minds of many. This is an exciting time, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming. That’s why this issue of Tapestry is dedicated to preparing for the world of work.
We are happy to share the experience of a recent graduate, employed in the human resources industry. Her words offer a genuine take on the “real world” and what it’s like to navigate the accommodation process in the workplace. Also featured in this edition are two valuable employment resources for students, the Workforce Recruitment Program and the University Career Center. Both offer support, guidance, and opportunities for internships and employment. Lastly, assistive technology web resources are featured in addition to highlighting the impact of faculty guidance and encouragement.
Paving your career path can be a challenging process. However, planning ahead will help you avoid some of the “bumps” along the way! So, let this edition of Tapestry be your road map to successfully exploring the world of work! KK

The Real World with KaSheena
KaSheena Townsend received her bachelor’s of science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources in 2007. Upon graduating from UNC Charlotte, she immediately landed a job within her chosen field as a Human Resources Generalist for a major company. KaSheena makes the “real world” look easy. However, Kasheena’s current position is not one of happenstance or luck. It is a result of years of careful planning and hard work!
KaSheena always felt that the business world was for her, “ I knew I wanted to be part of a world with endless career opportunities.” As a Freshman, she felt Accounting would be the best match. That is, until she took a few classes and she found out that “Accounting wasn’t exactly aligned with (her) goals.” With some uncertainty, she researched and explored other options. She soon decided that Human Resources would be the “perfect fit” as KaSheena “realized that she wanted to recruit, train, and manage applicants/associates.”
Entering her junior year, KaSheena was “determined to connect with resources available on campus.” She met frequently with an advisor at the University Career Center in hopes of finding an internship that matched her strengths and interests. Finally, during the summer of her senior year, success! KaSheena began an internship with the Office of Human Resources right here at UNC Charlotte! This experience allowed KaSheena to “gain the much needed experience and prepared (her) for life after college.” The internship also sparked her desire to become involved with professional organizations, such as the Society of Human Resources Management. KaSheena’s participation in this group not only solidified her passion for the field of Human Resources, but it served as an excellent resume builder.
Nearing the last stretch of her undergraduate career, KaSheena maintained her ties to the Career Center and attended several information sessions and job fairs. It was actually at one of these job fairs that KaSheena connected with her current employer!
The transition from college to the “real world” can be challenging if unprepared. KaSheena knew this could be especially true given her need for accommodations in the workplace. That is why she made sure to connect to “Charlotte area agencies that assist blind individuals during and after college with the accommodation process.” KaSheena’s ties to the appropriate resources ultimately allowed for an easier transition. Working with these agencies also helped build the self advocacy skills needed on the job and those required in requesting accommodations. In fact, the accommodation process was “well underway before her start date” and KaSheena’s manager “was readily available to assist.”
Entering the “real world” is a huge adjustment for everyone. KaSheena’s success story is a result of being an active participant in early planning and preparing for a life after UNC Charlotte. However, the advice most emphasized by KaSheena is how “critical it is to maintain a good GPA throughout college” in addition to joining professional organizations. All of which make you an attractive applicant to future employers. Lastly, don’t be afraid to request accommodations. It is important to disclose your needs early so the proper supports can be in place!
While KaSheena’s world may be different from yours, her path to success is one that can be followed by all! KK

Work Force Recruitment

Are you a student with a disability who is interested in working for the federal government? The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is a great way to network within that sector. The WRP is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal employers nationwide with eligible students. In the last year 450 students were hired for summer jobs or full-time permanent jobs, in 20 different federal agencies. UNC Charlotte participants have secured jobs in the Department of Defense, the EPA, the Social Security Administration, and others.
Bill Haig, a volunteer with the WRP, offered answers to commonly asked questions about the Workforce Recruitment Program:
What are the requirements to participate? Students must be current, full-time undergraduate or graduate students with a disability or have graduated within the last year. Students must also be U.S. citizens.
How do I get into this program? Eligible students MUST complete an interview with the WRP representative, who visits campus for one day each February. Students registered with Disability Services receive an email in early January. Interested students notify DS staff, who then coordinate the interview schedule. If the interview is successful, the student’s information is placed in a database that is utilized by hundreds of federal employers. Students are contacted directly by interested employers.
Is this considered a professional interview? What do I need to bring? A WRP interview is like any other job interview. Students should dress in professional attire and arrive on-time. The applicant must register with WRP online before the interview. Students should also bring a recent resume and a copy of their transcript (unofficial) to the interview. What if I don’t interview? Can I contact WRP directly? The WRP staff only works with school contacts, not with students directly. An interview on campus must be conducted for entry into the database. How long am I in the database? Chosen applicants are in the database for one year beginning in March. Eligible students can interview each year.

For more information, contact DS staff or visit the WRP website: www.wrp.gov
KM& VB

Campus Spotlight ~ University Career Center
Recently we sat down with April Gonzalez and Sharon Thorpe, Associate Directors with the University Career Center, to find out all about the services available to students. Located in 150 Atkins, the Career Center offers a myriad of opportunities including career counseling, resume writing workshops, job fairs, internships, and on-campus interviewing. We are excited to highlight some of the most popular resources provided by the University Career Center!
MAJOR Decision: Having a Hard Time Declaring a Major? The Career Center can help. The Center has online self assessments that identify your unique strengths and interests. These evaluations help you select majors and pinpoint career paths tailored just for you! Counselors are also available to help!
Resumes: How can I create a resume when I don’t have anything to put on it? It is never too early to start resume building. The Career Center can help you not only construct a resume, but they also provide resume worthy experiences. Internships and part time jobs are offered through the Career Center. Stop by 150 Atkins for more details
Web Resources: Did you know that the Career Center has a wealth of services ON -LINE? Yes, you can actually create a resume using their web-based resume writing workshop. Optimal Interview, an online program, allows you to practice your interviewing skills by responding to sample questions. Also available online are openings for part time jobs, internships, and co-ops using NinerJobNet.
Job Shadowing: What is it? Job shadowing allows you to see first-hand if the job you think you want is for you by visiting a work site and observing.
Job Fairs: Should I Go? YES! Job Fairs are an excellent way to make connections and learn about local and national career opportunities. Many students have secured employment by attending one of the many job fairs available to undergraduates, graduate students, and even alumni!
ALUMNI: Can the Career Center Help? Yes, there are several services available to UNC Charlotte graduates. Visit the ALUMNI page of the Center’s website for details.
For more information about these resources and all the University Career Center has to offer, please visit them at 150 Atkins or go to www.career.uncc.edu . JL

TECHNO(te) : Assistive Technology @ Work

Assistive Technology on the job is just as important as it is in college. However, getting connected to the proper supports can be challenging if you don’t know where to start! One major resource available to you and your future employer is the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). RESNA’s purpose is to improve the potential of people with disabilities through the use of technology. RESNA promotes research and development of assistive technologies. They are also a very active advocacy group that provides education and certification. Available on RESNA’s website, you will find a job board and membership details. For more information about RESNA visit www.resna.org.
One of RESNA’s major projects is the National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership (NATTAP). This partnership was formed to assist every state’s designated assistive technology program. These local state agencies provide demonstrations, loans, and training of assistive technologies. In addition, AT resource funding is available as these technology state programs arose out of the AT Act of 1998. They are federally funded and are therefore free for you to use. North Carolina Assistive Technology Program office is located right here in Charlotte. For information about this great resource in your own back yard, visit www.ncatp.org. AF

Faculty Corner ~ Guiding a Student’s Career Path

The Office of Disability Services occasionally receives calls from faculty wondering how to guide a student with a disability about career opportunities within their chosen field. Many students, regardless of disability, begin their University experience with only a vague outline of a career aspiration. Specifics about the needed skill set or how to get started toward a career goal is often unknown. The general education requirements expose students to a variety of courses and experiences which may help refine career goals. However, the most meaningful information can come from a faculty’s own wealth of experience and knowledge about the variety of opportunities and niches within their field.
When discussing career options with a student with a disability, ask about their interests, strengths, and concerns. Avoid making assumptions about the effect of the student’s disability on workplace performance. The academic environment, with timed exams and a less structured daily schedule, is very different from the work world. The student is usually aware of how their disability impacts them. Encourage the student to think about an environment that would be the “best” fit for them and one that reflects their intellectual interests, strengths, and values.
While a student’s career goals might be unclear, your counsel and support as a faculty member can have a definite impact.
If questions arise while advising students with disabilities, please contact our office and ask to speak to a counselor. The Office of Disability Services is here to support faculty and staff. JAF

March 30th Registration begins for Summer 2009 and Fall 2009 classes Make sure you meet with your advisor and check your UNC Charlotte email!
April 10th Outstanding Faculty/Staff Nominations Deadline
April 10th-11th Spring Recess
April 15th Deadline to notify DS if you plan to test in our office for FINALS If you are approved to test in our office, please contact us with information about your finals!
April 28th Last day of classes April 30th-May 7th FINALS: Testing occurs twice a day in the DS office during finals. Please confirm your testing times if you plan to test in DS.
May 9th Commencement: Please contact our office prior to the ceremony if you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility.
May 26th First Summer Session begins July 6th Second Summer Session begins August 24th Fall 2009 Classes begin: Make sure you meet with a DS counselor to discuss accommodations for the semester.
JG
The Office Of Disability Services is part of Academic Services
Question, comments, or suggestions about Tapestry ? Contact Kristin Kolin kjkolin@uncc.edu

Editor: Kristin Kolin