RP&SE; 725
Career Counseling and Job Placement for Persons with Disabilities
Spring 2005

Thursday 2:25 - 5:25
2111 Humanities Building
Instructor: David A. Rosenthal, PhD, CRC
432 North Murray Building, Office #424
(608) 263-5751
E-Mail: drosenthal@education.wisc.edu

Office Hours: By Appointment

Teaching Assistant:
Eun-Jeong Lee
eunjeonglee@wisc.edu
Office Hours: TBA

A. Course Description and Goals:

The course is designed to provide students with a functional exposure to major theories of career development and to enable them to link these theories to the practice of career counseling with different populations and within different settings, and to prepare students to assist individuals in obtaining and maintaining employment, with a central focus on career counseling and job placement for persons with disabilities. Students are provided with opportunities designed to assist them in acquiring and applying knowledge, skills, and resources relevant to them career development and employment of persons with disabilities and the employers who employ them.

B. Course Objectives and Competencies

Through formal lectures, assigned readings, class activities and discussions, the student will develop knowledge competencies in the following areas:

1.Apply theories of career development to understand client needs and facilitate career exploration and decision-making.
2.Use occupational/labor market information to expand and inform options.
3.Acquire skills in identifying and developing opportunities for employment.
4.Acquire knowledge regarding hiring processes and the ability to facilitate consumer knowledge and skills in regard to navigating the employment process.
5.Become familiar with benefits (e.g. SSI, SSDI) and legislation (e.g. ADA) and understand how to deal with the impact of these factors on employment, disability, and vocational rehabilitation.
6.Develop skills and knowledge in initiating actions with employers, consumers, and other parties to achieve quality employment outcomes.
7.Develop knowledge and skills about various tools and techniques in career counseling, job development and job placement (e.g. labor market survey, job accommodation, employment readiness factors, various employment strategies).
8.Develop competence in applying and utilizing professional skills, resources, and service strategies in the delivery of career counseling and job placement services.

C. Materials and Resources

Required Text:

Szymanski, E.M., & Parker, R.M. (Eds.). (2003). Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement, 2nd Edition. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

Required textbook is available at the University Bookstore.

Additional Required Reading:

A packet of articles required for this course are available at Bob’s Copy Shop


D. Evaluation Criteria Due


Research Presentation 10% See syllabus

Mid-semester exam 25 % In class - March 10

DOT, O*Net
& Labor Market
Surveys 25% April 21

Portfolio 15% May 5

Final Examination 25% May 5

Total 100%

Examinations:

The mid semester exam will an in-class evaluation and the final examination will each be a take-home exam. The mid semester examination will cover the first half of course content, which emphasizes career counseling and career development. The final examination will be applied in nature, emphasizing job placement activities.





Research presentations:

Working individually, students will present and lead a group discussion related to a journal article of interest. To do this, look at several articles of interest pertaining to career development and/or job placement. Choose one article that you find especially interesting. Write a one to two page summary of the article to hand in. Present the article in class. Presentations typically take 10-20 minutes depending on how much discussion is generated. Possible journals to look through are the Journal of Rehabilitation, Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, Journal of Counseling and Development, Journal of Counseling Psychology, Career Development Quarterly, and Work. There are many others, these are just suggestions. The presentations/discussions will be during either session 12: April 21, 2005 or, if needed, session10: April 28, 2005.

Portfolio

Provide a cover letter and a resume depicting your current and best tools for marketing yourself. Specifics top be discussed in class. Due May 5, 2005

DOT, O*NET, and Labor Market Survey:

Students will gain hands-on experience through the completion of a labor market survey and using the DOT and O*NET relative to a specific occupation. Further details and requirements for this assignment will be provided through lecture and material distributed in class.


Class Attendance and Participation:

Students are expected to attend class and be active participants in small group and full class discussions. The content of this course is best assimilated through on-going dialogue.


Late Assignments:

All assignments are to be submitted on or prior to the due date indicated. Assignments submitted after that time can be penalized in the grading process.


E. Reasonable Accommodations

The University of Wisconsin - Madison policy affirms the rights of students with disabilities to participate in the university's educational programs. Students should contact the instructor to discuss any accommodations needed to fulfill course requirements and achieve learning objectives.


F. Course Topics, Assignments and Activities by Session

Session 1: January 20, 2005

Introductions
Course Overview
Definitions
The meaning of work

Readings and Assignments

Text:
Szymanski, E.M., & Parker, R.M. (2003). Chapter 1:Work and disability: Basic Constructs. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker, (Eds.) 2nd ed., Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement.

Szymanski, E.M., & Parker, R.M. (2003). Chapter 3: Employment among working age persons with disabilities: What current data can tell us. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker, (Eds.) 2nd ed., Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement.

From reader:
Ryan, C.P. (1995). Work isn't what it used to be: Implications, recommendations, and strategies for vocational rehabilitation.

Quintanilla, S. A. R. (1991) Introduction: Meaning of Work

Session 2: January 27, 2005

Intro to career development theory
History and overview of career development theories
Trait Factor and Minnesota Theory of Work Adjustment
Holland's Theory (SDS)

Readings and Assignments:

Text:
Szymanski, E.M., Enright, M.S., Hershenson, D.B.,& Ettinger, J.M. (2003). Chapter 4: Career development theories, constructs, and research: Implications for people with disabilities. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker (Eds.), 2nd ed. Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

From reader:
Brown, D. (1990). Introduction to career development: Origins, evolutions, and current developments.

Sharf, R. (1997). Trait and Factor Theory.

Sharf, R. (1997). Holland’s Theory.

Session 3: February 3, 2005

Super’s Theory
Roe's Theory
Hershenson's Theory of Work Adjustment

Text:
Szymanski, E.M., Enright, M.S., Hershenson, D.B.,& Ettinger, J.M. (2003). Chapter 4: Career development theories, constructs, and research: Implications for people with disabilities. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker (Eds.), 2nd ed. Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

Reader:
Sharf, R. (1997). Introduction to Super’s Life-Span Theory

Other readings: To be determined
Roe (hand out); Hershenson (hand out)

Session 4: February 10, 2005

Factors Influencing Career Development
Career Counseling: Interviewing Skills and Strategies
Disability and Vocational Behavior
Psychosocial factors influencing work

Szymanski, E.M., Ryan, C., Merz, M.A., Trevino, B., & Johnston-Rodriguez, S. (1996). Psychological and economic aspects of work: Implications for people with disabilities. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker (Eds.), Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement (pp. 9-38). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

Reader:
Borgen & Amundsen, Dynamics of unemployment

Other readings:
Work pathologies (Herr) Hand out



Session 5: February 17, 2005

Gender and career choice/development
Gottfredson’s theory
MBTI

Readings and Assignments
Szymanski, E.M., Ryan, C., Merz, M.A., Trevino, B., & Johnston-Rodriguez, S. (1996). Psychological and economic aspects of work: Implications for people with disabilities. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker (Eds.), Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement (pp. 9-38). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

Reader:
Sharf, R. (1997). Myers-Briggs Type Theory

Other readings to be determined:

Session 6: February 24, 2005

Assessment of Career Development and Vocational Behavior
Career Counseling in Schools
Career Counseling for Older Adults
Mid-Life Career Changes
Retirement Issues

Readings and Assignments:

Parker, R.M., & Schaller, J. (2003).Chapter 5: Vocational assessment and disability. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker, (Eds.), 2nd ed. Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement (pp. 127-164). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

Session 7: March 3, 2005

Disability, Ethnicity and Culture

Readings and Assignments:

Reader:
Rosenthal, (2004) Client race and clinical judgment.

Other readings to be determined

Session 8: March 10, 2005

MID SEMESTER EXAMINATION

Session 9: March 17, 2005

Return/Discuss exams
Occupational Classification and Information Systems
Labor Market Information (Labor Market Surveys)
Job Analysis
Computer Based Job Matching Systems
Transferable Skills Analysis

Readings and Assignments

Patterson, J.B. (2003). Occupational and labor market information. Chapter 7: In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker, (Eds.), 2nd ed. Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

Review Dictionary of Occupational Titles and Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Introduce O-Net, Discuss Labor Market, O*NET, and DOT assignments.

Other readings to be announced


March 24, 2005 NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK

Session 10: March 31, 2005 - Introduction to Job Placement and Job Development
Trends in Job Placement
Models of Job Placement
Legislation Affecting Persons with Disabilities and Employment
Building Effective Partnerships with Employers
Structuring the Job Search & Marketing to Perspective Employers
Quality Service and Customer Satisfaction in Job Placement

Readings and Assignments:

Text;
Bruyere, S., & Houtenville, A. (2003). Chapter 2: Legislation affecting employment for people with disabilities. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker, (Eds.), Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

Brodwin, M., Parker, R. & DeLaGarza, D. (2003). Chapter 6: Disability and Accommodation. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker, (Eds.), 2nd ed. Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement. Austin

Hanley-Maxwell, C., Owens-Johnson, L., Fabian, E. (2003). Chapter 11: Supported employment. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker, (Eds.), 2nd ed. Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement. Austin






Reader:
Supplemental info & notes (short readings): Supported employment; Ecological approaches; Job matching; Psychological and psychiatric conditions and accommodations

New Directions in vocational rehabilitation: A career development perspective on closure

Employers’ Attitudes towards hiring persons with disabilities and vocational rehabilitation services

Session 11: April 7, 2005


Job Seeking skills
Job Search Methods
Job Search Basics - Interviewing
Resumes, Cover Letters and Other Job Search Correspondence

Readings and Assignments:


Text;
David Hagner (2003). Chapter 10: Job development and job search. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker, (Eds.), 2nd ed. Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement (pp.165-208). Austin

Brodwin, M., Parker, R. & DeLaGarza, D. (2003). Chapter 6: Disability and Accommodation. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker, (Eds.), 2nd ed. Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement (pp.165-208). Austin

Reader:
Supplemental info & notes (short readings): Supported employment; Ecological approaches; Job matching; Psychological and psychiatric conditions and accommodations

New Directions in vocational rehabilitation: A career development perspective on closure

Employers’ Attitudes towards hiring persons with disabilities and vocational rehabilitation services

Session 12: April 14, 2005

Job development
Difficult cases 1-4
Role playing

Text:
David Hagner (2003). Chapter 10: Job development and job search. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker, (Eds.), 2nd ed. Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement (pp.165-208). Austin

Reader:
Difficult cases 1-4

Other readings & assignments: To be determined


Session 13: April 21, 2005

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS


Session 14: April 28, 2005

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS (continued, if necessary)

FINAL EXAMINATION DISTRIBUTED

LABOR MARKET SURVEY DUE

Job Stress and Disability
Disclosure
Career Counseling and Job Placement: Putting it all Together
Ethical Considerations

Readings and Assignments:

Salomone, P. (1996). Career counseling and job placement: Theory and practice. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker, (Eds.), Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement (pp.365-420). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

Ethics exercises (hand outs)

Session 15: May 5, 2005

FINAL EXAMINATION DUE

PORTFOLIO DUE

Job placement and private sector Rehabilitation
Public verses private sector
RTW hierarchy
Ethical dilemmas

Readings and Assignments:

Text:
Millington, M., Miller D., Asner-Self, K.K., & Linkowski, D.(2003). Chapter 9: The business perspective on employers, disability and vocational rehabilitation. In E.M. Szymanski & R.M. Parker, (Eds.), Work and disability: Issues and strategies in career development and job placement. Austin

Reader:
Matkin, R. (1995) Private Sector Rehabilitation

Disability management in business and industry
Course wrap-up and evaluations

Readings and Assignments:

Reader:
Rosenthal, D. & Olsheski, J. (1999). Disability management and rehabilitation counseling: Present status and future opportunities

Other reading to be determined