Twelve eager job seekers filled the classroom at Starkloff Disability Institute on the morning of February 19. Bitter cold temperatures did not keep them from missing their first day of class at the Starkloff Career Academy, where for the next 10 weeks they will learn the best practices in job seeking for people with disabilities.

“This cohort of candidates is top-notch,” Jason Hartsfield, Adult Career Services Coordinator contends.  Candidates learned about the class through word-of-mouth, on the Internet or were referred by partner organizations Paraquad and AARP. They have a variety of visible and invisible disabilities such as deafness, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and low vision. Most candidates have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or decades of work experience. “They are excellent job candidates who are serious about their job search,” Jason says.

“We are thrilled to have three great St. Louis companies partnering with us in this class,” Susan Menhard, Director of the Starkloff Career Academy says. “Mercy, Ameren and Boeing will all take a role in educating our candidates in this spring class.” The partner companies will send representatives from their human resources departments to volunteer with the candidates, conducting mock interviews and sharing the best practices to employ in their job search.

The Center of Creative Arts (COCA) will again partner with the Starkloff Career Academy for this class. COCA-biz will conduct three workshops for the candidates on improving, creative writing and impromptu conversations – all with an eye to enhance their networking skills and make them stand out among other candidates.

The class will continue to meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings through May. Stay tuned for more as this cohort of candidates continues their journey.