Career Exposure and Counseling for Students

Career training is for everyone. For youths ages 14-21 with a document disability (an IEP, 504 plan, or medical documentation), ESBOCES offers its Pre-Employment Transition Services Program. This is a grant-funded program designed for young people with special education needs to teach them about the workplace, as well as the employment and career-based education options available to them in high school and beyond. Additionally, the program incorporates related counseling in job exploration, workplace readiness training, postsecondary counseling, self-advocacy and more.

Over the course of two weeks, students rotate through a series of four Career and Technical Education Programs (Animal Science, Carpentry, Culinary Arts, and Health Careers) to participate in hands-on, industry-specific lessons and activities in classes taught by trade professionals. These experiences served to showcase potential career paths they could pursue through avenues such as high school Career and Technical Education Programs, Adult Education Programs, and college or trade schools.

Students use industry tools and equipment, learn procedures and techniques, and explore career opportunities, including how to pursue them and thrive in the workplace.

“Providing the means for young students with disabilities to explore various career paths through hands-on programs is important, said Erin Sellek, program administrator. “Combining that with career counseling is essential. It makes all the difference.”

This year’s program ran from July 7-17, Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the ESBOCES Bixhorn Technical Center in Bellport.

For more information, contact Erin Sellek, program administrator for incarcerated education, alternative education, and funded programs at esellek@esboces.org.