Job exploration for individuals with disabilities at BCI centers on our belief that successful employment starts with truly understanding the individual. That’s where our Discovery & Exploration service comes in: a thoughtful, personalized approach to help individuals identify their strengths, interests, and ideal work environments before beginning their job search.
Our Competitive Employment program helps disabled adults learn more about their strengths and make informed decisions about their job preferences. During the discovery process, individuals may try different simulated job tasks in a controlled environment and participate in real-life work experiences in the community, to identify what types of work they enjoy and where they can be most successful. Read on for more information about our employment readiness programs and services in the greater St. Louis area.
WHAT IS DISCOVERY & EXPLORATION?
Discovery & Exploration (D&E) is a career assessment program for adults with disabilities, designed to help them better understand their skills, passions, and support needs before beginning a job search. BCI’s highly trained Competitive Employment Advisors (CEAs) spend time getting to know the individual through observation, hands-on activities, and conversations with their support network.
D&E is a short-term supported employment service funded by Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation, typically lasting 6 to 8 weeks. Objectives include developing transportation plans, evaluating health and safety considerations, identifying any needs for assistive technology, and making disclosure decisions.
This program allows participants to experience the demands of a workplace and the expectations of an employer based on their interests. While the individual participates in realistic job trials, their CEA will identify potential support needs and perform an accommodation analysis, to help the individual understand how they can be more successful on a job. The end result is a personalized employment profile. This tool guides future job development and placement — or the best next steps to gain skills to become ready for competitive and integrated employment.
Career exploration is especially valuable because it removes the pressure of immediate employment and replaces it with hands-on experience, confidence-building, and informed decision-making.
WHEN ARE JOB EXPLORATION PROGRAMS MOST HELPFUL?
Our D&E career discovery process is most appropriate for adults with disabilities who:
- Are unsure about what type of job they want
- Have little to no work history
- Have not benefited from traditional vocational assessments
- Need a more individualized, hands-on approach
- Have complex support needs (cognitive, behavioral, or communication)
- Have experienced prior unsuccessful job placements
For these individuals, D&E provides clarity, direction, and a higher likelihood of long-term success by ensuring that future job placements are well-matched to their abilities and preferences. Overall, this service improves outcomes for individuals, employers, and inclusive hiring programs in the community.
Employment readiness programs may not be necessary for individuals who already have a clear job goal, recent work experience, and a desire to begin applying for jobs right away. In these cases, participants may be better suited to move directly into job development and placement services.
WHY INDIVIDUALIZED EMPLOYMENT PLANNING SERVICES MATTER
One of the best examples of Discovery & Exploration in action comes from a BCI client who turned their passions into a meaningful career.
A young woman named Bree entered the Competitive Employment program with a strong interest in creative work. She was particularly interested in tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, which she had first explored while working on her high school yearbook. Through D&E, Bree was able to demonstrate her strengths, refine her goals, and gain confidence in her abilities. She spent months applying for jobs and facing rejection, but with support from her CEA, she stayed focused — and her persistence paid off.
Eventually, Bree secured a position as a photo editor with a local photography firm. During her interview, she impressed the employer by showcasing skills she had developed through her yearbook experiences. Bree’s story highlights the true value of career exploration: It doesn’t just help individuals identify what they want to do. It provides direction and builds the confidence needed to thrive.
COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FROM BOONE CENTER
The Discovery & Exploration process helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities prepare for work, while building a foundation for long-term success and fulfillment. By investing time upfront to understand each individual’s unique strengths and needs, BCI helps improve job matching, increase job retention, enhance workplace satisfaction, and build inclusive employment opportunities in the community.
Looking for work experience programs for people with disabilities? If you or someone you support is ready to explore possibilities and build a path toward meaningful employment, Boone Center is the perfect place to start. Reach out today to learn more about our Competitive Employment program.