Students in teacher Samantha Fowler’s class at the Hospitality and Applied Skills Center (HaAS) have been exploring jobs and what is required from people who do them. Every month, these students and young adults with disabilities investigate another facet of working and career readiness training. November’s focus was on workplace appearance.

 

“We spent over a week reading short stories about community helpers,” said Fowler. We discussed each career in depth, and students paid special attention to the clothes workers were wearing and how important they were to being successful in each job.” 

 

Students then chose three jobs they might be interested in pursuing and began a research project. They considered several questions: What does the job entail? What do people wear, and why? 

 

Classmates working from home collaborated with Fowler to choose pictures illustrating their jobs and research results. She packed up their choices, along with glue, scissors and construction paper, and mailed materials home. That way, they and their in-person colleagues could all create colorful posters together during the next class time. Once completed, everyone presented their finished projects. Together, students had explored a kaleidoscope of jobs, including cosmetologist, veterinary aide, sales associate, farm worker, painter, zoo keeper or cook.