EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth article of an ongoing series about the Lake Washington Transition Academy, a unique, Redmond-based educational facility that assists developmentally disabled young people. To read the first four articles, go to www.redmond-reporter.com
Carly Hursh had a new outfit and a “can-do” attitude during our latest visit to the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Transition Academy.
Based in downtown Redmond, the academy helps young adults with developmental disabilities hone skills for employment and inclusion.
Prepping for a job interview, Hursh, a Juanita High School graduate, fielded questions from Michael Goodwill of Seattle-based Provail, an employment agency which partners with the Transition Academy. Hursh’s classmates joined the conversation about the realities of the working world.
They talked about do’s and don’ts for a job interview: “Do” project a willingness to demonstrate what you can do, which sometimes is easier is than talking about the skills.
Hursh correctly interjected, “That’s called ‘a working interview.’”
And, Goodwill commented, “Don’t talk too much if you’re nervous, because it can be distracting to the interviewer.”
That’s a common stumbling block for any job seeker, not just someone with a disability.
“It takes practice. Every interview helps with the next one,” said Goodwill.
CARLY’S STORY
Hursh’s mom, Patti Mann, shared some background about her daughter’s early years.
“Her disability is mental retardation — I would consider it mild to moderate,” Mann explained. “She went through testing at age three and at that time, I believe it was labeled Developmental Delay with the MR label coming a few years later.”
Prior to the Transition Academy, Carly had a mix of special education and general education classes, usually modified or with an aide, her mom explained.
Referring to the academy, “I had heard only good things about it,” Mann continued. “As her mother, I tend to be overprotective of Carly and the academy forces her to be independent. I am certain Carly will be able to get a job.”
What hurdles might stand in her way?
“When she gets excited or nervous, she tends to talk too fast and it can be very difficult to understand her,” said Mann. “She knows she needs to slow down and sometimes even her family members have a bit of trouble understanding her for the first time.”
DEMONSTRATING MASTERY
We checked with Goodwill to ask how Hursh’s interview went. He said the two-hour, working interview at the City of Seattle Department of Transportation was a positive experience.
“Carly did about five or six different tasks,” said Goodwill. “She and the interviewer talked about a couple of potential tasks and she has a 10-minute or so formal interview. … I was involved minimally.”
Hursh showed how to prepare rooms for meetings, such as testing dry-erase markers, cleaning white boards and arranging chairs. She also stocked and organized printing stations and learned how to scan documents to then be stored on a shared drive.
“Carly had no problems navigating the computer and she left with a full understanding of the process,” Goodwill noted.
Plus, she organized a supply cabinet completely on her own, recycled and retrieved paper and sorted and sized envelopes for re-use.
The verbal portion of the interview was also successful, according to Goodwill.
“Her answers were appropriate, clear and to the point,” he said. “Carly came to the interview with a resume and references. … In preparing for the interview, Carly and I went over her resume often. … Carly also came with prepared questions to ask (the interviewer).”
Besides bringing the right paperwork, “she was dressed professionally, she was confident when introducing herself and throughout the interview, listened, kept direct eye contact and … maintained an interest and a focus on each of the tasks she did.”
Although she wasn’t offered a job, “this was a first step for Carly,” Goodwill stated.
He described the City of Seattle as “an excellent employer” with opportunities for people of all abilities.
“As a job developer, I will continue to work with the City of Seattle in making this connection for Carly,” he said.
BRIGHT BEGINNINGS
What would be Carly’s dream occupation, if she could pick any job?
“Carly loves her computer and she can find an answer to any question I have on the Internet,” said her mom. “She loves TV shows and movies — probably too much. … She’d tell you that her dream job is an office job — but she would LOVE to do something that had anything to do with a TV show. Not necessarily acting, but something behind the scenes.”
Goodwill commented, “The next step for Carly is to continue to put herself out there, explore her interests, apply and meet with businesses and find that job. … When I first met Carly, she was interested in only an office job. Now she is entertaining the idea of retail.”
He said her preference is to work on the Eastside, perhaps at the Redmond Trader Joe’s or Kirkland Costo.
Yet the interview in Seattle was “a boost of confidence for Carly,” he said. “I have noticed it in how she presents herself and how she talks about her career goals. Carly has a lot of skills and she is going to make a great addition to whatever team and business she decides to work with.”
Employers or others who want to know more about the LWSD Transition Academy and its successful graduates, should visit www.lwsd.org/school/ta or call (425) 861-3452.
