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NEWS RELEASE

April 10, 2008

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Howard County Government’s First-Ever Career Exploration Day a Success

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County’s Office of Workforce Development, Public School System and Department of Citizen Services today hosted the County’s first-ever Career Exploration Day for high school students with disabilities. Ten students were chosen to experience the diverse employment opportunities available in local government through job shadowing activities.

“I think this type of hands-on training is terrific,” said County Executive Ken Ulman. “It provides much needed real world, and real work, experience.”

Students and sponsors began their day sharing a continental breakfast in the Ellicott Room of the George Howard Building with County Chief Administration Officer Lonnie Robbins and Howard County School Superintendent Dr. Sydney Cousin. After breakfast, students traveled to their work site where they were given a tour of the department where they were assigned, introduced to staff, learned about the qualifications and skills needed for various jobs in that department, and then had the opportunity to complete a task relevant to the department.

“This work-based experience allows students the opportunity to develop a realistic idea of what is required of someone working in that particular career field,” said Erica Lewis from the County’s Department of Citizen Services. “On the other side, County employees benefit too—they get the opportunity to meet an enthusiastic prospective County employee, and to learn more about the process of providing accommodations for potential employees who may have a disability.”

After spending the morning in the office, participants then traveled back to the George Howard Building for lunch and presentations from Cathy Raggio, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Disabilities and Sheri Thomas of the Howard County Commission on Disability Issues.

Based on a student’s interest in a specific occupation, students were able to shadow an employee from either: the Police Department, Department of Fire & Rescue, Animal Control, Emergency Management, Department of Technology & Communications, Department of Citizen Services, Department of Public Works, Department of Recreation & Parks, the Public School System and the Office of Workforce Development/The Columbia Workforce Center.