Job Seekers with Disabilities Turn the Table on Employers at Reverse Job Fair

On April 11, students with disabilities took the lead during the “Reverse Job Fair,” hosted by the DES Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program and Mountain View High School in Mesa. The event is a unique component of the Transition School to Work (TSW) program, which helps high school students with disabilities prepare for transition into the workforce after graduation.

The Reverse Job Fair was designed to give students a chance to present their strengths and abilities to potential employers. Instead of the typical arrangement where employers await job seekers at table displays, the setup empowered the near-graduates to show off their talents at their own tables, where eager employers can ask them questions.

The event was attended by 60 students and 25 employers, which were selected based on the student's employment goals. Hiring representatives from the Mayo Clinic, The IronWorkers, Cornerstone Caregiving, DES, Chick-fil-A, the Phoenix Police Department, and many more moved through the event to meet with the employment hopefuls.

The students prepared for the event by working with their campus-based TSW staff and VR Counselors to identify their employment goals and ready collateral to share with prospective employers. For example, one student's goal was to become a baker, so she made cookies to share with the employers. Another student's goal was to work at a movie theater, and he handed out small bags of popcorn.

“The students were able to shine and showcase themselves before a wonderful audience of business people!” remarked the school’s Career and Technical Education Career Coach, Vicki Schomaker.

DES is proud to provide quality opportunities that enable individuals with disabilities to overcome barriers and lead self-directed, healthy, and meaningful lives. The DES VR Program increases independence and self-sufficiency through participation in the workforce. For more information about employment programs for individuals with disabilities, including the TSW Program, please visit our Vocational Rehabilitation webpage.

Grow Your Team with Dedicated VR Clients

Employers interested in growing their employee base to include Arizonans with disabilities can contact the DES Vocational Rehabilitation Employer Liaisons at [email protected]. Read 5 Benefits of Hiring Individuals with Disabilities to learn how your team can thrive in an inclusive workplace.