This program is to provide additional Career Development opportunities to FSDB students (16+) through a structured campus work program delivered outside of the academic day. Students 16 years of age or older will have the opportunity to apply for vacant positions when it is advertised and submitted before the deadline. When a student is hired, they will be instructed to download an app on their phone titled 'WhenIWork,' which is a timesheet software Career Center uses to track the student workers' working hours by the Career Center and their respective supervisors who schedule them.

Students go through a competitive hiring process. They review job postings that include a detailed job description, essential functions, and qualifications. Students fill out an application online and submit the application by deadline. Those students who have reflected experience through coursework, volunteer work, or prior work experience on their application generally get selected for an interview.  All students who interview receive extensive, qualitative feedback after the interview noting strong points as well as areas students need to practice or expand upon.  Those who receive the highest score on the interview rubric and who have passed reference checks are offered the job.  These students go on to complete required HR paperwork and after approval, start working in their respective positions while learning all the skills to stay employed. 

Students who are not selected for an interview are given feedback on their application as well as ideas on how to enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities to compete in the next round of job openings.  The true-to-life hiring process student’s must follow to obtain paid employment through this program has lend to identifying gaps in employment readiness.  The job market is difficult for any young person to navigate and secure competitive employment. For FSDB students who have a vision or hearing loss, this process is more complicated.  Students must be savvy in navigating the job market and articulating their knowledge, skills, and abilities (not disabilities) to a potential employer who may have never met a person with a hearing or vision loss. Students will require intensive training, practice, and support to identify skill sets and work ethic so they are able to market and represent themselves confidently and convincingly during the competitive hiring process.

• Promote personal growth and healthy practices for student workers and the students receiving direct services.

• Provide opportunities to make positive connections with influential people.

• Assist with the development or refinement of social skills, soft skills, and work ethic.

• Enhance social-emotional growth and contribute to health-promoting decisions and behaviors.

• Build personal competence, social competence, and self-efficacy by addressing skill development.

• Improve self-worth and boost self-esteem.

• A/V Production Technician

• Athletics Department Assistant

• Boarding Program Assistant (DMS Girls Dorm & BMS Girls/Boys Dorm

• Concession Stand Assistant

• D&B Boutique Associate

• D&B Designs Associate

• Dragon's Lair Worker

• Food Service Worker

• Recreation Department Assistant

• Recycling Associate

The dream and vision to have paid part-time positions for students after school on campus wouldn't have come to fruition if it wasn't for Andrea Armstrong, former Director of Career Development Department (2010-2019). Andrea Armstrong put in countless hours of work and planning to have this program become a reality for students and the Career Development Department. This program has been generously funded over these years by The Julius Fleischman Foundation and The Johnson Scholarship Foundation. The number of student workers we had in the program's first year (2013-2014) could be counted on one hand. The program has since then expanded to 35 plus student workers who are all getting paid State of Florida's current minimum wage at $15.00/hour as of July 1, 2022.

More than half of FSDB students reside in the Boarding Program throughout the week and need a variety of opportunities to participate in the after-school activities that promote career development and health-enhancing behaviors. Giving students the chance to experience paid work on campus enhances health and wellness, self-esteem, career readiness, and self-sufficiency in the future.