Career Development
Our Career Development Unit aids clients in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment. Our two-week work readiness workshop – offered in both day and evening sessions – teaches former prisoners everything they need to know to participate in the job market and deals with the issues, attitudes and behaviors that can often get in the way of obtaining and maintaining successful employment. During the workshop, clients learn how to develop a quality, professional resume, are given lessons on personal finance and participate in mock interviews that allow them to practice explaining their criminal justice history.
When clients are ready to begin their job searches, they meet one-on-one with Fortune’s skilled job developers who send them out on interviews with potential employers. Clients have access to our resource lab throughout this process, where they can use the computers to refine resumes and cover letters and conduct additional job searches. The room also has telephones and faxes available for communication with potential employers.
Ongoing counseling and follow-up is provided in person and over the phone by Fortune’s retention specialists for the next two years. Those still conducting their job searches are urged to come into our offices for further counseling and/or job development assistance while those who are employed are given coaching and support around maintaining employment and career advancement. Counseling, progress monitoring and other assistance, including additional referrals to services at Fortune and other agencies, is provided through telephone counseling that occurs at set intervals.
In 2006, 430 clients completed our Career Development Workshops. Clients were placed in a total of 470 jobs, with an average salary of $10.07 per hour.
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If you are interested in enrolling on our Career Development program,
please contact Mark Klass, Outreach Coordinator, at mklass@fortunesociety.org
or 212-691-7554 x295.
If you are an employer who is interested in hiring our graduates, please contact Gyasi Headen, Manager of Job Development, at gheaden@fortunesociety.org
or 212-691-7554 x293.
