Virginia College Quest - Resources: Future Quest 2007

List of Career and College Resources is available here.
List of Recommended Publications is available here.

Session Descriptions

Early Bird Sessions – 8:30-9:20 am

School to Work Transition Services through Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services and Fairfax County Public Schools
Billy Smelser, MS, CRC, Rehabilitation Counselor, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services Kristina DeSantis, MA, CRC, Rehabilitation Counselor, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
Transition services assist students in the movement from school to world of work and adult life. The Department of Rehabilitative Services works together with students, families, schools and community agencies to provide services to support a successful transition from school to work. This workshop will provide information on services provided to students in transition, referral information, and how the process of vocational rehabilitation works through Department of Rehabilitative Services. Session presentation available here (PDF, 20 pgs).

College Information and Financial Aid: The Internet Connection
Sue Rexford, Career Center Specialist, Fairfax County Public Schools
Valuable information for the college and financial aid search is just a mouse click away. Learn about all the great resources available to you on the Internet. Explore information from college web sites, the new VACollegeQuest site, financial aid and scholarship information sites. Leave with a list of web resources to make your college and financial aid search a success.

Suit and Tie Careers: Careers in an Office Setting
Nadia A. Conyers, Youth Employment Program Coordinator, Arlington Employment Center
This session will provide an overview of the wide career and job opportunities within a business or organization from receptionist, secretary, IT, manager, payroll, accounting, administrative assistant, mail room, data entry, and more! Learn about opportunities within an office environment from entry level positions that may require minimal skills to those jobs which may require more experience, education, vocational training or specific skills training. Come find out: how to match your skills, education, experiences and interest to these career opportunities; how to begin your job search; where to go for assistance; and how to gather and how to organize your employability skills and profile for a resume.

Resume Writing and Job Search Tools
Jennifer DeCamp, Transition Employment Specialist, Prince William County Public Schools
This presentation will address a variety of different job search tools including developing effective resumes, writing good cover letters, follow-up techniques, as well as tips for job fair success.

Understanding Transition and the IDEA
Cathy Healy, Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) Trainer
The IDEA 2004 legislation requires greater involvement by families and self advocates to ensure the transition years address both academic and functional achievement all this while a student’s strengths, interests and needs are considered. This workshop will outline how IDEA and the transition amendments work to ensure positive student transition outcomes.

Postsecondary Options: Models to Look for and Questions to Ask
Ernst VanBergeijk, Executive Director, Vocational Independence Program, New York Institute of Technology
There are three models of postsecondary programs for students who have been a part of the special education system: vocational programs, transitional programs, and supported academic programs. Dr. VanBergeijk will discuss all post-secondary options open to students with special needs. He will also address college survival by discussing how to obtain the necessary supports and how to advocate for services. In addition he will provide audience members with a list of questions to ask service providers when trying to decide which option best suits a student.

Accessing Assistive Technology in College and at Work
Kristine Neuber, Assistive Technology Specialist, Helen A. Kellar Institute on Human disAbilities
Assistive Technology is sometimes called the great equalizer. There are many software and hardware applications that can allow individuals with disabilities to be independent and successful in college and in the workplace. The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that individuals have access to this technology in both college and the workplace. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the assistive technology available. It will also discuss the rights and responsibilities of both parties in obtaining such accommodations. The services available at George Mason University will be highlighted.

Careers You Can Learn in Two Years or Less
Laura Murray, Coordinator for Career and Vocational Assessment, Arlington Public Schools
There are exciting careers that are in demand and also have earnings potential. Many can be achieved through one or two-year programs offered at community colleges, career and technical schools. Come and explore these programs and find out if one is the right one for you. Internships and apprenticeships will also be discussed.

Keynote – 9:30 – 10:30 am

Keynote Speaker: Jonathan Mooney
Jonathan is a dyslexic writer and activist who did not learn to read until he was 12 years old. He is a graduate of Brown University’s class of 2000 and holds an honors degree in English Literature. Jonathan is founder and President of Project Eye-To-Eye, a mentoring and advocacy non-profit organization for students with learning differences and author of two books Learning Outside the Lines, and The Short Bus Stories. Jonathan will talk about his experiences in special education and how he overcame barriers in the transition process to become an author, advocate, consultant, and public speaker. More information on Jonathan Mooney is available here.

Session 1 – 10:50 – 11:40 am

Questions and Answers for Young Adults with Jonathan Mooney
Jonathan Mooney, Author and Advocate
Jonathan will answer questions and talk about his experiences growing up with a learning disability. This session is specifically geared for young adult participants.

Virginia VIEW Career Interest Inventory
Dr. Brad Platt, Vocational Evaluator, Prince William County Public Schools
Virginia VIEW is the career information system for the Commonwealth of Virginia. VIEW provides free occupational and educational information to the citizens of Virginia. This session will help you plan for your future career by introducing you to the process of self-assessment. The Virginia VIEW career interest inventories let you look at your interests and abilities and match them with over 600 occupations. Virginia VIEW has numerous career assessment tools that can help you learn more about yourself and the world of work. Participants attending this session will be provided Virginia VIEW materials and software to use at home or at school. Learn more about the world of work and yourself through the Virginia VIEW career interest tools!

Self-Advocacy: Making It Happen in College and Beyond
Dr. Henry Reiff, Professor of Special Education, McDaniel College
Once you get out of high school, it's often tempting to try to leave your disability behind. After all, as a young adult in college or beyond, you will not necessarily be recognized as someone with a disability unless you decide to disclose. Maybe you hope that your disability will not have an impact in college or work. However, for almost everyone, a disability in adulthood brings a special set of challenges in postsecondary education, work and home, relationships, and especially feelings about yourself. Fortunately, there are clear ways that adults with disabilities can significantly increase the likelihood of career success and personal satisfaction. Henry B. Reiff, author of Self-Advocacy for Students with Learning Disabilities: Making It Happen in College and Beyond, will discuss how a combination of effective self-advocacy and specific life skills can make a huge difference for you. With a focus on what adults with disabilities can do rather than what they cannot do, Dr. Reiff will share inspiring stories from adults with disabilities and practical tips on how to be successful.

NVCC to a Four Year Degree
Trevor A. Blair, Counselor, High School Outreach
Sharon T. Murphy Ph.D., L.P.C. Counselor, Disability Services
Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus
Learn what programs transfer from Northern Virginia Community College to four year universities and colleges. Find out about NVCC's articulation agreements and guaranteed admission agreements with Virginia state and private universities and colleges. Participants will learn what disability services are available at NVCC, the eligibility requirements for these services, guidelines for providing documentation, and the process for obtaining accommodations. Information will also be provided about taking the placement tests and available resources. Learn what types of support services and accommodations are available at NVCC and how to access the supports and resources you need to be successful in college.

Postsecondary Education Isn’t Always College
Dr. Cindy Siira, Transition Specialist, Prince William County Public Schools
Cynthia Siira, Transition Specialist with the Prince William County Schools, will discuss alternatives to the traditional 2-4 year colleges. She will introduce different options for students graduating from high school (including On the Job Training, technical colleges, STRIVE, etc.). She will also provide suggestions to help students decide which type of education may best suit their career goals.

There Are No IEPs in College: Transition from High School to College
Howard Kallem, Office of Equity and Compliance, George Mason University
The mission of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, is to ensure equal access to education. An important priority is increasing access to higher education for students with disabilities. This presentation discusses the differing rights and responsibilities of students and schools under Federal laws at high school and college.

Lunch – 11:50 – 12:40 pm

Session 2 – 12:50 – 1:40 pm

Panel Discussion: Young Adults Share High School, College & Career Experiences
Joshua Altman, Tara Faye, Jesse Mayer, and Corbb O'Connor
Come listen to young adults with disabilities share their experiences and their journeys from high school through college and now adulthood. Learn through their experiences how to best advocate for yourself and for your needs now and in the future. Speakers will talk about what helped them most in high school with transition to where they are now in life, the most significant hurdles they encountered and how they overcame them.

Amazing Social Security (SSI/SSDI) Work Incentives
David Melton, Social Security Administration
The Ticket to Work law made amazing changes that allow most Social Security (SSI/SSDI) recipients to go to work, have more money in their pocket, and keep their health insurance (Medicaid/Medicare). Special provisions allow students on SSI to make several thousand dollars a year without impacting their monthly benefit checks. The presentation will demonstrate how individuals and families can use this and other Social Security Work Incentives in pursuing their job goals. The presenter also provides information about free benefits counseling available to those on Social Security who are interested in learning how employment impacts their benefits.

Preparing for College: From A-Z
Kelly L. DeSenti, Director, Disability Support Services, Marymount University
Preparation for college entails many steps: the selection of schools to apply to, the standardized tests to take, and the documentation to get in order. Beyond these tangible things, a student must also garner the motivation it takes to keep up his/her grades, and organize and navigate the journey to college maze. It is never too early to start thinking of college applications, and if you are currently a senior or even a junior in high school, the time to act is now. This session will explore resources for selecting colleges for application, deciphering the application process, getting your documentation for any diagnosed disabilities in order, and choices available with regard to requesting special consideration and support services. Emphasis will be focused on getting current documentation in order, strategies for organizing your college search, communicating with college counselors, and developing the self-advocacy skills paramount as you enter the college experience.

Education Options for Careers in Health Care: Brian P. Foley, M.Ed., MHA, CPHQ, FACHE, Special Assistant to the President, Northern Virginia Community College, Medical Education Campus
Mr. Foley will present an overview of the career preparation opportunities for health care which are available through the Northern Virginia Community College's Medical Education Campus. From entry level to professional degrees, participants will learn about the career pathways that are available in the region in the high demand industry of health care. There will be time for questions and answers and resource materials will be provided.

Career and Technical Schools: What’s Available and How to Choose?
Emily Richardson, President of the Virginia Career Education Foundation
KnowHowVirginia: Your Source for Information About Career and Technical Schools:
Explore Virginia’s career website hub for information about postsecondary career and technical education. Learn what’s available, how to contact them, and how to compare the options and choose what’s best for you!

Range of Support on College Campuses
Judith S. Bass, CEP, Certified Educational Planner, Bass Educational Services
Now that colleges are required by law to provide accommodations and support for students with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between colleges that offer minimal support and those that embrace these students and give them every opportunity to be successful. How do you know if a school will offer what your adolescent needs? In this session, you will learn about the levels of support, including moderate services, comprehensive programs, and developmental programs available to students with LD/ADHD and how to determine which is best for your adolescent. You will also learn about other important factors to consider when choosing a college, such as psycho-educational testing, graduation requirements, and self-advocacy skills.

College Bound
Susan Asselin, Special Education Professor, Virginia Tech
The transition to college is challenging to most students. As a student with a disability, there are unique, additional concerns: What accommodations do I need to be successful in college? Do the colleges I'm interested in offer this assistance? What type of college best serves my needs and interests? How do I access these services? College Bound is a summer orientation program designed by New River Community College, Radford University, and Virginia Tech to help students and their parents address these and many other concerns. The two-day program will increase your knowledge of the accommodation process, assistive technologies, leadership skills, and other exciting aspects of college life. College Bound is open to rising high school juniors, seniors, and entering college freshmen and their parents. You do not need to be planning to attend college in Virginia to attend College Bound. Representatives from Virginia Tech will discuss the College Bound Program, and answer other questions about services students can expect at college. Session presentation available here (PDF, 12 pgs).

College Transition for Students on the Autism Spectrum:
Integrating Interdisciplinary Perspectives from Personal Experiences, Self-Advocacy, & Research
Scott Michael Robertson, Ph.D. Candidate (Information Sciences & Technology), Penn State University, & Autistic Self-Advocate
This presentation will focus on the major challenges students on the autism spectrum often experience in transitioning to life in college/university (e.g. making friends, organizing academic work, growing into interdependent life). The presentation will also offer some strategies and recommendations for supporting students through those challenges. Scott will share his life experiences and perspectives from his roles as an autistic college student, a self-advocate for the autism community, and a researcher of college transition for students on the autism spectrum.

Matching Natural Talents and Interests in Today's Job Market
Facilitated by Evelyn Kaiser, Business Development Manager, Department of Rehabilitative Services
What natural abilities are employers looking for? How can employment impact your interests and talents and enhance your ability to reach your career goal? What employment / career opportunities are within your community to build on natural talents?
Come and hear the latest information from a panel of Northern Virginia employers representing the following industries: Information Technology, Construction Trades, Retail and Hospitality and the Health Care Industries. Learn first hand what is necessary to be a successful candidate in today's job market.

Session 3 – 1:50 – 2:40 pm

Preparing for College: From A-Z
Kelly L. DeSenti, Director, Disability Support Services; Marymount University
Preparation for college entails many steps: the selection of schools to apply to, the standardized tests to take, and the documentation to get in order. Beyond these tangible things, a student must also garner the motivation it takes to keep up his/her grades, and organize and navigate the journey to college maze. It is never too early to start thinking of college applications, and if you are currently a senior or even a junior in high school, the time to act is now. This session will explore resources for selecting colleges for application, deciphering the application process, getting your documentation for any diagnosed disabilities in order, and choices available with regard to requesting special consideration and support services. Emphasis will be focused on getting current documentation in order, strategies for organizing your college search, communicating with college counselors, and developing the self-advocacy skills paramount as you enter the college experience.

Accredited Non-Traditional Universities and Colleges as Viable Choices for High School Graduates
Peter M. Smith, Assistant Director of Admissions, DeVry University
In this session participants will learn about the growing choices of accredited institutes of higher education, labor driven curriculums and programs offered to reflect current and future business and employment needs. Mr. Smith will give advice on how to choose a school that is right for you and your career goals. Some of the factors to consider are: What programs and degrees are offered? Typical class sizes? Are internships available? What is the track record for success and employment of graduates? Career and placement support services. What type of placement /jobs do graduates obtain? Learn about the professional staff, supports and resources that are typically available for students and the exciting opportunities these postsecondary colleges and universities offer.

Addressing the Social and Emotional Issues of Transitioning from High School into College
Betty Greene–Bryant, College Life Experience (CLE) Program, Rockville, MD
This session will address the most common social and emotional stumbling blocks students face when transitioning from high school and home to living on their own and studying with accommodations in college. Dr. Betty Greene-Bryant from the College Living Experience Program will also share strategies and techniques that can be used to prepare students for the transition.

Adapting Your Behavior for College and the Workplace
Shana Palmieri, MSW, Youth Transition Case Manager, Department of Human Services, Child and Family Services Division
Wendy Sittner, MSW, School Based Mental Health Therapist, Department of Human Services Child and Family Services Division
Students with special needs have more of a challenge modulating their behavior in various settings. While academic preparation and the acquisition of vocational skills are important to success in both educational and employment settings, the use of effective social-emotional skills are equally important, if not more, in order to experience success in academic and vocational endeavors. College and workplace environments are unique for the skills that they require for successful performance. Often, the focus on academic achievement outweighs the importance of learning to “master” these environments; using skills that are commensurate with expectations. It is important for the learner/employee to set goals and use strategies that will promote success in the post-secondary environment.

Matching Natural Talents and Interests in Today's Job Market
Facilitated by Evelyn Kaiser, Business Development Manager, Department of Rehabilitative Services
What natural abilities are employers looking for? How can employment impact your interests and talents and enhance your ability to reach your career goal? What employment / career opportunities are within your community to build on natural talents? Come and hear the latest information from a panel of Northern Virginia employers representing the following industries: Information Technology, Construction Trades, Retail and Hospitality and the Health Care Industries. Learn first hand what is necessary to be a successful candidate in today's job market.

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Last updated on April 28, 2008