Page 43 - 2022 May Report

Resilience
Perkins School report (3)
Maddy adds, “I definitely feel like my professional skills and knowledge have gotten better. I knew very little about customer success before I started, and now I have a whole new set of useful skills. I've also gotten a lot more comfortable with technology such as G Suite and Salesforce which I had never used before Career Launch.”
Three participants have reached the interview phase of their job search; two are actively submitting applications; and one is refining their career goals and anticipates searching for a job soon. Now, these participants will be supported by Perkins job coaches throughout their job search and interview process. When they secure a job, Perkins will work with participants and employers to ensure successful orientation and onboarding, leading to long-term success.
Recent Accomplishments
● Alicia Smith, Associate Director, served on the panel “Employment Strategies: What’s Working in 2022?” at VisionServe Alliance’s Executive Leadership Conference in April 2022.
● Alicia Smith and Brian Switzer, Training & Program Specialist, discussed the Employer Toolkit and workplace inclusion on a webinar for the ARIES Foundation for Financial Education.
What’s Next
● Business Tech Bootcamp will be offered four times this summer, two sessions for Google Suite and two sessions for Microsoft Office. Tech Bootcamp is taught by Brian Switzer with work based on the successful tech curriculum in our Career Launch program. Each week-long, virtual session includes 20 hours of coursework, including live classes taught via Zoom, independent assignments submitted via email, as well as assessments before and after the session. This fills an enormous need for people with BVI at any stage of their education and career. This also builds awareness of our Career Launch program, providing a pipeline of potential future participants.
● Recruitment for the Fall 2022 Career Launch cohort has already begun. Perkins is actively seeking applications from visually-impaired young adults, ages 18 to 35, who are seeking support in securing entry-level, career-track professional jobs. Social media, direct mail, and collaboration with agencies for BVI. Brand awareness is also built through programs like the Distinguished Speakers Series and Career Launch staff speaking on relevant podcasts and webinars.
● In Spring 2023, we intend to offer a residential program, as offered in Fall 2019, which will provide participants the opportunity to develop independent living skills, in addition to job readiness.
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