BPCC program helps students w/ disabilities get jobs
By: Kimberly Rusley
Updated: October 30, 2012
A local college is helping students with disabilities land jobs. Bossier
Parish Community College had recruiters at its campus today to
interview students for federal jobs. It's part of BPCC's Federal
Workforce Program.
Through the program, college students and veterans with documented disabilities are able to get permanent positions and full-time paid summer internships. The program is also sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and the U.S. Department of Defense.
BPCC student Emmalee Lyons has Asperger's Syndrome. It's a social disorder, where the individual has problems socializing with others, communicating, and using imagination. She says the program has definitely helped her in her search for work.
"It's very comforting. It's actually taken away a lot of worries that I have for my future. I've always been worried about jobs. Before, I actually got into this program or actually got chosen for this interview. I already applied for about 35 jobs and hadn't gotten a call back from any of them," says Lyons.
Lyons said she would like for employers to understand and work with applicants that have a disability.
"You could be the best interviewer ever, and just because you don't look like you could sell something or work with people because of your disability, it could cause a lot of problems. So, I think, this benefits anybody who has that kind of struggle, where they have the skills or they just need some help getting those skills," says Lyons.
Through the program, college students and veterans with documented disabilities are able to get permanent positions and full-time paid summer internships. The program is also sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and the U.S. Department of Defense.
BPCC student Emmalee Lyons has Asperger's Syndrome. It's a social disorder, where the individual has problems socializing with others, communicating, and using imagination. She says the program has definitely helped her in her search for work.
"It's very comforting. It's actually taken away a lot of worries that I have for my future. I've always been worried about jobs. Before, I actually got into this program or actually got chosen for this interview. I already applied for about 35 jobs and hadn't gotten a call back from any of them," says Lyons.
Lyons said she would like for employers to understand and work with applicants that have a disability.
"You could be the best interviewer ever, and just because you don't look like you could sell something or work with people because of your disability, it could cause a lot of problems. So, I think, this benefits anybody who has that kind of struggle, where they have the skills or they just need some help getting those skills," says Lyons.
