Honesty is always the best policy. I would hope that advisers weigh the potential repercussions of their criticism and communicate such insight as constructively as possible. To withhold such information on account of a student's disabilities seems a disservice.
Callie,
I am not sure what you are suggesting here, Callie. When you say that advisers should not "withhold" information, are you suggesting that they should b saying (however politely), "This is not a good field for you because you'll never get a job?" Or are you suggesting that they shouldn't hold back critical information about the demands of the field because of some worry about being discouraging? My experience is that the problem is seldom that advisers don't say enough. More often they say too much, and impose their own conclusions on the student.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think it is fair and good business to let our client know about the possibilities of employment for them.
I think that if the student meets all the requirements to be in their chosen field then who are we as educators to say if the student will succeed in their chosen field?
Andrea,
The trick here is not to be too restrictive in your view of the possibilities of employment. So long as you don't let your past experience with traditional application of the information color your present advice, all is well. Remember, technology and advances in the field mean that there are often alternative ways of putting knowledge to work these days.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Kimberly,
I agree, Kimberly. I'd go even further... who are we to say what defines "succeeding"!?! GRIN
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.
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
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!
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
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?
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.
Darcie,
I gather this is some kind of allied health profession? Try checking out the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss ( http://www.amphl.org/nursing.php ). Being deaf is not a barrier, in and of itself, to a career in a health related field. That's a good example of why we have laws that promise students the opportunity to try.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
