Starkloff Career Academy Is Back—and Better Than Ever

Starkloff Career Academy, our flagship disability employment services program, returns this August with an expanded curriculum, a fresh structure, and deeper expertise on our career services team made up of thriving disabled professionals who know firsthand what our candidates are navigating.

The need has never been clearer. Disabled adults with the education, skills, and drive to compete in the workforce continue to face barriers that most career programs aren’t equipped to address. Starkloff Career Academy was built specifically to close that gap.

Beginning in August, the Foundations cohort meets once a week for eight weeks in a live virtual classroom, a format designed to fit real lives while building real skills. Candidates will work on résumé writing, interview preparation, self-advocacy, workplace accommodations, job market strategy, and long-term career planning. They’ll practice with hiring professionals from Starkloff’s employer partners. And they’ll do it all alongside a small group of peers who share their experience.

Eighty percent of our graduates advance in their careers. That’s not a coincidence—it’s the curriculum, the community, and the coaches.

We’re especially excited about who is delivering this program.

Natasha Baebler, Starkloff’s first-ever Associate Director of Career Services, brings years of professional experience and personal insight to building a career services practice that meets disabled professionals where they are. Her leadership has shaped the structure and vision of what Career Academy looks like in 2026.

Joining her is Jenna Schwartz, who came on board in April as Career Services Coordinator. Jenna leads programming, advises candidates one-on-one, facilitates workshops, and deepens our connections with employer partners. She came to Starkloff with both professional expertise and a clear sense of purpose.

“I’ve always wanted to spend my time in a way that gave back to my community,” Jenna said. “Sharing my experiences and what I have learned in the hopes that others can gain confidence in themselves is a huge motivation for me.”

Starkloff Career Academy serves disabled professionals at every stage of their career journey:

Foundations—now enrolling for August—is for disabled adults entering the workforce, returning after a gap, or navigating employment for the first time with a newly acquired disability. It’s free, virtual, and built around your schedule.

Transitions and Advancements are designed for professionals ready to change industries (Transitions) or step into leadership (Advancements). Cohorts will be announced soon. If either of those descriptions sounds like someone you know, encourage them to fill out the interest form now so we can reach them when enrollment opens.