Get Your Students Hired
I believe that it is the responsibility of the college to ensure that the enrolling student has a clear understanding of the possible job opportunities. It is also the responsibility of the college to have a clear understanding of what the student is trying to accomplish. Some students enroll in a program and earning the degree is the only goal while other students enroll in a program to obtain a new employment. I have recently seen a situation like this. The student enrolled in a Medical Administrative program but had limited use of her wrists and could not type due to previous injuries. The student was given an opportunity to sit with a Career Services advisor to ensure there was a clear understanding of the career goals of the student and to ensure that the college would be able to assist the student and prepare the student for the career of choice. I think with open communication students can make smart decisions about their education and employment choices.
Alonzo,
This is the kind of student and the kind of story that I wish more teachers had a chance to have contact with. You will never be hesitant to give students the benefit of the doubt in the future... and that's what it is all about!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I have experienced this exact situation with a student that only had 2 fingers on his right hand. He was attending a trade school to workk as an electrician. I discuss his options just before he registered. I explained the requirements of the job and the training and made sure he was aware of job requirements before he signed up. He went thru the program and completed the course. His handicap slowed him down, but did not prevent him from reaching his desired goal of completing the course. he demonstrated his ability to function in the trade, even with his disability
Robert,
You are right. The discussion is worth having -- so long as it is a discussion and not a "warning." Students who are only beginning to explore a field are pretty vulnerable to pressure from outside sources that they perceive as authority figures. Sometimes we can influence by the way we present things, so much as by what we say.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think the discussion should be had, but you can not deny them admission if they meet the requirements. You never can tell what might happen. We should all remember that Beethoven was deaf.
John,
I think you have said exactly the right thing, but a little more vaguely than I'd like to see it stated. It is not up to us to make the call for these students because IT IS NOT UP TO US TO MAKE THE CALL FOR ANY STUDENTS! The whole point is that students with disabilities are more LIKE other students than they are different, and they deserve the same respect -- which includes a recognition of the fact that they are capable of making their own (informed) decisions.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
It is not up to us to make the call for these students, but only to assist them in getting to where they are wanting to go via education.
Jeffery,
Exactly right! If we were to discourage or prohibit folks with disabilities from entering a given field because of our own narrow views of what they can do, or whether they will be able to work IN THAT FIELD, we discount both their enthusiasm and their versatility. The ability to apply knowledge gained in one area to another place is one of the beauties of the system. I, too, am in favor of honesty -- but when we honestly portray the information and find students still enthusiastic to try, I say "let 'em!"
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think it is important that the student be given an honest perspective, yes. But I do believe, that if someone wants it THAT badly, that we have no right to tell them no. If they can do the studies and perform the job, even with accommodation, then all the power to them and all my blessings. There is nothing more powerful than the human will =)
Besides, I have seen many many times, where someone studies a field and does other work that is related. I met someone the other day that went through the HVAC program, and is working as an outside sales representative for an electrical company.
Ann Marie ,
I agree. If the student meets all the requirements and can fulfill program expectations, then whether or not he/she has a disability, and whether or not he/she MIGHT face a tough job market, those in authority should respect the student's dignity to make decisions.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
If the student meets all the program requirements ad can successfully do the work, then I don't believe the school should try to do anything to talk them out of it.
Brent,
Absolutely! And I'll add one more thing to the criteria -- INTEREST LEVEL! No matter how capable someone may be to perform a certain job, if they aren't interested in doing so, they aren't likely to be successful... and vice versa.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Darcie,
I gather this is some kind of allied health profession? Try checking out the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss ( http:/
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I am just not sure what the college would base their assessment on regarding employment eligibility, even the mention of unlikely circumstances I think is discriminatory. I just think the college should base the recommendation for jobs on the same criteria we use for all students, like aptitude, academic requirements, job demand, geographic opportunities, pay, etc.
I wonder that myself. We have a deaf student and in the field he is going into he must be able to hear heart beats etc. What can we do?
KELLY,
I think your mentors gave you excellent advice. Focus on what the student needs now, not what you imagine they might need in the future!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Yes, I must admit I struggle with this and have asked my program chair and more seasoned teachers about it. Their response was that employment readiness was not part of the class I was teaching and not to think big picture- focus more on the class objectives.
I think about this issue very often. I appreciate the topic!
Jacqueline,
Whoa... wait. Back up! Are you saying that the only reason there are incompetent people out there on the job is because those people are the ones with disabilities? For that matter, are you sure that the disability was in any way related to the difficulties the employee was having? The assumption that disability and being incapable are generally related is... generally... troubling. Institutions can and should be honest about the work and responsibilities of a given field, but they should leave the decision about choosing to pursue it to the student
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I have been at different locations where some of the people hired were obviously not capable of doing their job. I am uncertain as to whether they were employed for their ability to do the job or their disability. I feel that any school that is training students with disabilities should help them be certain that they can perform in that field before they spend a large amount of money.
Kimberly,
I agree, Kimberly. I'd go even further... who are we to say what defines "succeeding"!?! GRIN
Dr. Jane Jarrow