Career Services to Multicultural Populations Forum – Harrisburg

Instructions: Create an original post and describe the major groups of people with whom you work and the backgrounds from which they originate. Identify the key resources that you use with this group.  Then respond to one classmate’s post. You will make a total of two posts.

Remember that our learning group works in a full-value environment: We treat our colleagues with respect and professionalism. Our comments should reflect this culture.

22 thoughts on “Career Services to Multicultural Populations Forum – Harrisburg”

  1. jchase says:

    The major group of people I work with is in school youth. Within that group are multiple sub-groups such as diversity in ethnicity and race, gender identity, and disabilities. Key resources that I use with this group are those services provided by the schools these students attend, partner organizations such as OVR (office of vocational rehabilitation) and online career exploration/information websites such as O’Net, PACareerzone, and Xello. I also consult with partner co-workers in my CareerLink, most often the BST (Business Services Tech.) who helps to arrange job shadows and internships.

    1. lreid says:

      I imagine working with younger population this can be a task at times. I believe helping the younger generation figure out what they want to do in life is very valuable.

    2. cmyers1 says:

      While I understand that working with youth in general is difficult, do you find it easier to connect with the in school youth rather than out of school youth?

      1. jdolan says:

        I worked in both ISY and OSY. I feel each population has its challenges, it truley depends on the individual and where this youth is in life, and how motivated they are for change. Sometimes we are the only positive support in a young person’s life and they truly appreciate the help and support we provide. But on the other hand, some youth feel we are nagging and bothersome and can avoid us like the plague if we ask too much of them on a regular basis.

    3. jdolan says:

      I am not familiar with Xello, you will have to explain this to me when we meet next.

  2. cbrady says:

    I work with adult individuals that are job seeking due to loss of employment or a way to supplement their income. As part of my position I work directly with clients that have no or minimal computer skills, plus may have difficulty utilizing their cell phones and email. I assist with completing online applications, online job search activities and pre-employment onboarding tasks. Due to adult services guidelines individuals that do not have a high school diploma/GED are not eligible for enrollment so it is my responsibility to assist them with their job search. I also assist people with criminal records and disabilities so we need to consider what experience they may have gained while incarcerated/volunteer work and explain gaps in employment. I work with a diverse population and refer customers to partner agencies as needed.

    1. natalie.bargeron says:

      Hi CBrady. The ability to assist individuals with digital literacy is a valuable resource. It can be a very daunting hurdle that keeps many from accessing not only career-specific tools, but also tools that could improve overall well-being. Hopefully, by learning how to do certain tasks online with your assistance, they are able to build confidence and explore other areas of the digital world.

      1. ekerr says:

        Natalie, I agree digital literacy is a missing skill for many of my participants. Most in our area do not have reliable internet much less a tablet or laptop. It is challenging for them to learn, take digital literacy or other classes when trying to view on a phone.

    2. jdolan says:

      Sometimes getting creative with gaps in employment on a resume can be challenging. I face similar with my youth who may have no work history. We plug in a lot of volunteer experiences, club activities, sport and team roles, and senior projects to highlight as many skills as possible.

    3. dcampbell2 says:

      cbrady, your work is incredibly valuable, especially in helping individuals facing various challenges in their job search. Assisting those with limited computer skills and addressing the needs of clients with criminal records and disabilities is a crucial service. The guidance you provide in highlighting relevant experience, including volunteer work and explaining employment gaps, can significantly improve their prospects. Collaborating with partner agencies further extends the support network for a diverse population. Great job in making a positive impact on your clients’ employability!

  3. cbrady says:

    JChase- I understand that it can be both challenging and rewarding working with in school youth . I have not used Xello in my position so I will have to look it up.

    1. rspotts says:

      I also make many referrals and the issue with the CWDS system is that it is unhandy for the referral system unfortunately.

  4. natalie.bargeron says:

    All the people that I serve receive TANF benefits from the Philadelphia County Assistance Office. Most have some form of exemption for physical or mental health related issues pertaining to themselves or someone in their households. The majority of the people I serve are women from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds in a wide range of ages over 18. Several of our participants do not have a secondary credential and/or limited proficiency in English. While some seek disability benefits, others are unemployed or underemployed.
    The key resources that are provided for our participants include utility and rent assistance, transportation assistance, access to laptop and internet service, referrals for ESOL and literacy services, and secondary and post-secondary educational opportunities.

  5. lreid says:

    My program works with adults with children who are receiving TANF benefits from the government. This is a requirement of their benefits. These participants come from all different types of backgrounds and levels of education. An Example of education can range from someone needing a GED to someone with a Master degree. Some participants may be dealing with mental health issues. The key resources I use with my participant’s usually pertain to housing, utilities, financial literacy, English literacy, transportation, and clothing. I make referrals based on the needs of the participant.

  6. cmyers1 says:

    The major groups that our organization works with are those facing barriers to obtaining employment. Some have not received a high school diploma, others have issues with childcare, or transportation. Others are going through a hard time financially and are referred by the County Assistance Offices. Throughout all of these groups, there is a diversity of race, gender, age, ethnicity, disabilities, and financial situations.
    Some key resources that could be used with these groups are partner agencies such as the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), Adult Literacy, Community Action Partnerships and Housing Authorities. Online key resources would include the PA CareerLink® system, and O*Net. Other programs that we would utilize include Choices Profilier, WIN and WorkKeys®, Managing Your Money and Job Readiness. Although this is not an exhaustive list of resources, it is a starting point for most of our clients.

  7. jdolan says:

    The group of folks I work with are students at the high school level providing CareerLink services. To be eligible for the bridges programming, a barrier to employment must be identified and meet income guidelines. Some examples of qualifying barriers include learning disabilities, justice involved ( new terminology, lol) social services involved, parenting youth with dependents, homelessness, and low income households.
    Key resources that I use with my students include partner organizations such as OVR (office of vocational rehabilitation) co-workers in my CareerLink office, most often the Business Solution Representatives to help place youth in work internships. I am a part of the youth’s transition team in order to support youth make a successful transition from high school to workforce.

  8. rspotts says:

    I work with people in Recovery from street and prescription opioids whether they are in recovery starting yesterday or 30 years ago. The type of people I work with are typically utilizing SNAP and other income resources from their county assistance. Most of my clients need assistance in Job Search, professional resumes and possibly training tuition assistance if they are eligible other wise we utilize the resources in the community and direct them to the location where they can get the resources they are looking for including Educational Opportunity Centers. Community Action Agency’s are also another location I refer my client’s too often. Other referrals I make are mental health, substance use recovery supports and self-planning financial support systems.

    1. knwilliams says:

      Mental health is such an important part of building a valuable workforce. There are so many job seekers that have a hard time getting and keeping positions due to a mental health related issue. I am going to talk to my affiliates about how they address these concerns with staff since they work with youth that may be battling the same issues.

      1. dcampbell2 says:

        You’re absolutely right about the significance of mental health in the workforce. Addressing mental health-related issues is crucial not only for job seekers but also for the overall well-being and productivity of the workforce. It’s great to hear that you plan to discuss this with your affiliates, especially when working with youth who may face these challenges. Sharing strategies and resources for addressing mental health concerns can make a significant impact on the individuals they work with. It’s an essential step towards creating a supportive and inclusive work environment.

  9. knwilliams says:

    As an education consultant, I work directly with the agencies that serve adjudicated youth whether it is for therapeutic purposes or employability job skills training. My job is to assist the agencies with developing and facilitating employability, vocational and/or academic instruction. We work with both residential and non-residential community based programs across the state of Pennsylvania. Most of the community based agencies in on my affiliate list are in and around the Philadelphia area. I have a few agencies that are in more rural parts of the state to create a balance in my work load. The agencies closer to Philadelphia have a large variety of external resources and programs to glean from and the agencies in smaller counties have a much harder time connecting youth with additional job readiness or vocational programs. Supporting agencies such as Eckerd Connects and EDSI offer a variety of services but not always available in all counties and that creates challenges for the affiliates that we work with directly. As consultants we have connected with state wide agencies such as the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Career Link to provide services that other wise may be hard to obtain. We also find juvenile justice professional development opportunities for the staff and teachers to help them with growing within their industry and position.

  10. ekerr says:

    In my position as a Job Developer I get the opportunity to work with many different individuals and programs. I provide job search and resume assistance as well as interview prep. I facilitate workshops and have the privilege of working with individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds (TANF & SNAP just to name a few), justice involved (JamieD that one is for you, lol), all educational levels ( drop out at 6th grade-Medical Doctor and even refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan. My clients come from the local community as well as individuals (mostly women) who have left New York City, Newark, Camden and Elizabeth NJ. Most are hoping for a better and safer life for their children. Some are fleeing domestic violence, divorce, job dislocation and some are chasing their American dream by leaving everything behind. Some of the key resources that I use are local partner agencies such as GED, CAO, CAA, United Way, OVR, Gaudenzia, Probation and Veterans Representatives.

    backgrounds from which they originate. Identify the key resources that you use with this group.

  11. dcampbell2 says:

    In my role as a Workforce & Career Development Administrator, I work with a diverse group of employees, including entry-level staff, mid-career professionals, and supervisors/managers. I assist them in enhancing their career readiness, creating career maps, and developing personalized career plans to support their professional growth. I work with a diverse group of employees. They can be categorized into three main groups:
    Entry-Level Staff: New to MDTA with diverse backgrounds, they need foundational career readiness training and goal-setting guidance.
    Mid-Career Professionals: With several years of experience, they seek career advancement and require advanced career mapping and skills development.
    Supervisors and Managers: In leadership roles, they need guidance on leadership and management skills and tailored career development plans.

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