Testimonials
Comments from participants who completed the Customized Employment course.
Participant Comment:
"I have praised this course 'up one side and down the other' to my supervisor- it has also - once again- made me proud to work for my organization... because this is not the first time that I have learned that we are already putting into practice- new innovative ideas. I have learned so much- the details, the descriptions/examples and the discussion board w/other participants has enlightened me."
Participant Comment:
"I have worked for a really long time in the One Stop system and now just beginning with Ticket to Work and as the DPN, I really liked learning more about the process of customized employment and disclosure information and how to work with that, Job negotiation and other types of funding besides ITA's. I had attended a workshop sometime last year on writing employment proposals and job development but somehow I always felt like something was missing. This course really put it into perspective for me much better. I will be more able to to work with employers selling my job seekers and assisting them to find employment based on their needs and the employers needs."
Participant Comment:
"The most important thing that came out of this training for me was the realization that I need to emphasize the discovery process more. I am often times so eager to get a client placed that I'm not sure I'm always taking the time to really get to know the client and exactly what they want. I also learned valuable techniques for assisting with the discovery process and the importance of including others who are close to the client to assist with this process. I most enjoyed the third lesson focusing on actual examples of successful job negotiations and really learned a lot from all the postings on the discussion board about some of your successes. I have a better understanding of how to approach an employer and what can work. I feel that this training really covered the entire process well, from the beginning steps of discovery all the way through to how it can be funded."
Participant Comment:
"I know now that I was practicing my own brand of customized employment probably because of my past sales and business experience. Mine was a real Brand X because there was no real strategy or continuity involved. I just did some things right sometimes, but could never identify what I had done.. This class has put a name and an order of operation to follow and develop time after time. The synergy of the group validated that we're all in the same boat facing the same challenges regardless of where we live, our job titles or who we work for. I am going to approach those consumers who fell through the cracks during the past year and try to do right by them and restart the job development process beginning with discovery and culminating with negotiation for a job they'll actually show up for!"
Participant Comment:
"I want to be able to show the clients that I'm working with that there are more vocational choices out there. It won't hurt to try something new and out of their "normal" comfort zone. Everyone can't be a greeter at Wal-Mart or work at McDonald's!!! Expand your horizons and aspirations. You'll never know until you try. I don't want my clients saying I should have tried that, or I would have been great at that position!"
Participant Comment:
"I think I gained something from all of the lessons. Some of the material I am more familiar with and have implemented in doing my job, but it never hurts to have some reinforcement that you are doing the right things. The funding and community partnerships information was very helpful to me. I work with folks with severe disabilities and customized employment is the only way we are truly successful in meeting their employment needs. The struggle for us is getting folks to think outside the box on self employment, a business within a business, etc. The case studies were very helpful in being able to show community partners that these things can and do work."
Participant Comment:
"I have learned that flexibility is key. In the past, if something wasn't working or an employment agreement seemed unlikely I would be much too quick to give up on the opportunity. I didn't want to be wasting time on something that wasn't likely to work out anyway. In this way I probably limited myself from negotiating opportunities that may have only required a small compromise from either or both sides."
Participant Comment:
"I have enjoyed this course. The most important things I have learned are how to better negotiate with employers, carving jobs and how to get to know the individual's personal needs. I will use what I have learned about negotiating with employers to help find someone a job. Now that I understand the process a little better it will help me to communicate with the employer."
Participant Comment:
"I have learned to listen...really listen...to the employer's needs more instead of my mind whirling and wondering what my job seeker can do...I now see the importance of exactly what is it that the employer needs as well."