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Tuesday, 01/31/2023 – 10:35 am | By: Van Arnold
A learning experience was provided for teenagers and adults with disabilities at last November’s Mississippi Career Extravaganza on the Gulf.
Students aged 14-21 participated in a fun-filled and educational event; Aiming for a holistic business education experience. Co-presented by the University of Southern Mississippi’s Institute for Disability Studies (USM) and the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, the extravaganza featured local businesses providing hands-on skills experiences to high school students with disabilities.
The ultimate goal of Job Extravaganza is to create an environment where students can freely explore different careers at their own pace and hopefully find career options that suit their preferences, strengths and interests.
One high school special education teacher said, “This gave our students the opportunity to take time to learn from business owners and have a relaxed conversation. The businesses took time with them, and raised their confidence in exploring future jobs. In the past, when we took them out to job fairs, they were typically intimidated to talk to recruiters, but not today. This was like a personal exhibition just for them.
Dr. Jerry R. Alliston, associate director of the Institute for Disability Studies, noted the support students received during the event. . . “Students were assigned peer mentors to help them engage with at least 10 business experiences. Students then attended a networking lunch with their mentors and finished the day with interactive training from our staff on dressing for success and job interviews.”
The students were all smiles and seemed to gain confidence as they visited each workplace where they had the opportunity to showcase their skills and learn new ones. Work-oriented business experiences give students exposure to new skills, job opportunities, and possibly career options.
For example, the Rosalie Station Car Wash and Detail Center gave students the opportunity to hand wash and wax a truck. Alliston Screen Printing, Embroidery & Awards provides all the materials for students to make authentic trophies and award medals. Wild Acres gave him lessons in creating reptiles and specialty foods.
Additional businesses participating in the Job Extravaganza include Triton Systems, Salvation Army Family Store, Sun Nutrition, Institute for Disability Studies, University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Libraries, Fantasy Games, Coffee Box, South Bagel Company and 34th Street Universal Gardens.
The Job Extravaganza event was led by Beth Robertson, IDS Transition Coordinator, and Michette Ramos, Family Wellbeing Support Specialist, who oversaw all event activities.
Commenting on the event, Beth Robertson explained, “The students were able to participate in a personal and meaningful way, with a wide variety of careers represented and carefully selected assignments in each business, leaving a lasting impact on their lives. Students are still talking about the event and teachers are leading class discussions on what students learned and what careers they want to pursue. To explore possible career paths.”
The Job Extravaganza is presented by the University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies, the University of Mississippi Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and funded by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.
For more than 40 years, IDS has continued its mission to positively impact the lives of Mississippians with developmental and other disabilities and their families to enhance their independence, productivity and community inclusion. IDS focuses its work on three areas of emphasis: community living, education and capacity building, and family engagement.
To know more about IDS or Job Extravaganza visit www.usm.edu/idscall 601.266.5163 or email idsFREEMississippi.
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