By Grace Newton
In fall 2011, disabled veteran James Blount was informed by a peer that a Workforce Recruitment Program would be offered at Texas A&M-San Antonio to help match disabled students with employment opportunities.
The program is a job recruitment and referral program that connects college students and recent graduates with disabilities to federal and private sector employers.
Blount interviewed for the program and was offered a summer job as office automation technician for the AMEDD Personnel Proponent Directorate at Fort Sam Houston.
Blount received a disability rating from the Veteran’s Administration because of severe arthritis problems with his feet and hands.
“I have difficulty walking long distances, so I park as close to classrooms as possible,” Blount said.
Disabled students looking for job placement opportunities will have a similar opportunity on Nov. 1, where they can interview and find out how they qualify. University career advisers said that it’s likely that some students with disabilities will be provided job placements.
Job placement success
“Last year we had 10 students go through the interview process and five of those were placed,” career counselor Bennett Grey said.
Sarah Ramseur, director of disability support services, said the program offers students with disabilities an opportunity to focus on their abilities, rather than disabilities.
Last year, program recruiters visited 270 college campuses nationwide, creating a database of 2,200 candidates with disabilities, according to the program website. Of those, 580 were hired into summer or permanent employment.
Students interested in interviewing for the program in November must complete an online application and upload a resume and transcript prior to the time of their interview. Career advisers have not determined a location for the event.
Blount said, “We should still strive for excellence and set the example in all that we do. The interview process with the WRP was as intense and serious as any I’ve faced.”
John Heath, human resource manager for the Department of the Army, is the program representative conducting the interviews at A&M-San Antonio. His advice for students preparing for an interview was to highlight their experience in local clubs, leadership, volunteer work and list any scholarships or awards they may have received.
“My job is to help students showcase their talents and skills for potential employers,” Heath said.
He added that students should also highlight any paid work experience and list any computer or software skills as well as hobbies and interests.
Grey said that both career services and disability support services will help prepare students for the initial interview by reviewing resumes, assessing skills and conducting mock interviews.
As for Blount, he plans to go through a second interview in hopes of being placed again.
Following his retirement from the U.S. Army in 1995, Blount wasn’t sure if he would ever work in a military environment again. In fact, he wasn’t sure what he was going to do at all.
“This assignment was very similar to what I did while on active duty — the only thing missing was my uniform,” Blount said.
“I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to participate in the WRP,” Blount said. “I would strongly encourage others who meet the requirements to consider going through the interview/selection process.”
The program is managed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity.
Interested students can contact the office of disability support services at 210-784-1337.
