Did you know that most people find their jobs through family and friend connections?  Having a broad network of family and friends who can support you in developing and reaching your goals is important. Friends and family members can help you make decisions, assist you in obtaining needed services, and refer you to others who can help with the career planning process. The wider the network, the better. For example, your Great Uncle Harry just might know someone who works for the Department of Public Health who can help you explore your interest in food safety. There are a number of things you can do to expand your social network, receive help with career planning, and practice your advocacy skills:

• Develop a support network.
  Identify those family members and friends who can encourage and support you in reaching your goals. There are also many state and national advocacy groups you can join to help you become a better self-advocate.

• Develop mentoring relationships.
  Mentors are people who provide information, support and encouragement. You can be on both the giving and receiving end of a mentoring relationship. Studies have shown that students who have mentors are more successful in achieving their goals.

• Seek out information on person-centered planning tools that can help you plan for the future.
  There are a variety of person-centered planning tools to help you develop life and career goals. Tools such as MAPS, Essential Lifestyle Planning, Personal Futures Planning, PATH, or Circles of Support can assist you with identifying the supports and services that can help you reach personal goals.

• Take career interest inventories.
  These paper/pencil or computer generated inventories can help you identify your interests and skills, and match them to various occupations.

• Have a variety of real, community-based work experiences.
  While career interest inventories can help you obtain some beginning information about the types of jobs you might be interested in, there is no substitute for on-the-job experience. Job shadowing, situational assessments, part-time jobs, and volunteering can all provide you with the experiences and information you will need to narrow down your career choices.

• Identify adult service provider and advocacy agencies.
  Making the transition from school to adult life involves leaving an educational system that must provide you a free and appropriate education and entering a system that is based upon eligibility and the availability of resources. Be sure to seek out organizations and agencies that can help you get the adult services you will need.

Adapted from “An Educational Journey from Self Discovery to Advocacy: A Handbook for Students,” 2003.
Debora M. Presbie, MA, Connecticut State Department of Education

Click to download a PDF of Career Planning/Community Connections for Students