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Tuesday, January 31, 2023 – 10:35 AM | | Author: Van Arnold
The inaugural Mississippi Jobs Extravaganza, held on the Gulf Coast last November, provided a hands-on learning experience for teenagers and young adults with disabilities.
Students aged 14 to 21 participated in fun and educational events with the primary aim of providing a comprehensive business learning experience. Presented jointly by the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Disability Institute and the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, Extravaganza consisted of local businesses that provide hands-on skills experiences to high school students with disabilities.
The ultimate goal of Job Extravaganza is to provide an environment in which students are free to explore different careers at their own pace and hopefully find career options that best suit their preferences, strengths and interests.
As one high school special education teacher said: Companies spent time with them and increased their confidence to explore their future careers. In the past, when I took them to job fairs, they were usually afraid to talk to their employers, but not today. This is a personal job fair just for them. It was like ”
Associate Director of the Institute for Disability Studies, Jerry R. Alliston, PhD, noted the support students received through the event. “Student was provided with peer her mentor and was able to gain at least 10 of her business experiences. Afterwards, student attended her lunch networking with mentor and was encouraged by staff for success.” He finished his day with an interactive training session on how to dress and job interviews at .
The students all smiled and seemed to gain confidence as they visited each workstation where they were given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and learn new skills. I was exposed to skills, potential employment and, in some cases, career options.
For example, the Rosalie Station Car Wash & Detail Center gave students the opportunity to hand wash and wax their trucks. Ariston’s screen printing, embroidery and awards provided all the materials for students to create the actual trophies and award medallions. Wild Acres provided hands-on time with reptiles and offered lessons in making special meals.
Other companies participating in Job Extravaganza include Triton Systems, Salvation Army Family Store, Sunshine Nutrition, Institute for Disability Studies, University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Libraries, Fantasy Games, the Coffee Box, Southern Bagel Company, and 34th Street Wholistic Gardens. will be
The Job Extravaganza event was co-led by IDS Transition Coordinator Beth Robertson and Family Wellness Support Specialist Michett Ramos, who oversaw all event activities.
Commenting on the event, Beth Robertson said, “Various industries were represented, and the carefully selected practical tasks prepared by each company allowed students to engage in personal and meaningful ways and improve their lives.” Students still discuss the event to this day, and teachers lead class discussions about all the students they learned and the careers they wanted to pursue. We hope to offer more of these events in the future so that more students with disabilities will have the opportunity to explore possible career paths.”
Job Extravaganza is offered through the Disability Institute at the University of Southern Mississippi, the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the University of Mississippi, and is funded by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.
For more than 40 years, IDS has maintained its mission to positively impact the lives of Mississippi citizens with developmental and other disabilities and their families, increasing their independence, productivity, and community participation. I was. IDS focuses its work on her three focus areas: community living, education and development, and family involvement.
For more information on IDS or Job Extravaganza, please visit: www.usm.edu/idscall 601.266.5163 or email idsFREEMississippi.
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