Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) hosts its Adult Center for Transition (ACT) Reverse Job Fair, providing students with disabilities the opportunity to have real-world vocational experience. The event takes place on Friday, April 11 at RCSJ’s Cumberland Campus in the Luciano Center from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Every spring semester, graduating ACT students participate in the reverse job fair as a capstone project before their graduation. This is the first year that RCSJ ACT Gloucester and Cumberland graduating students will be brought together in one event to display their strengths and seek employment. Every graduating ACT student will demonstrate the value they can bring to a business or organization as they discover various career options.
The reverse job fair acts as an innovative approach in connecting job-seeking ACT graduates with local community employers. Differing from a traditional job fair, the employers will be the ones to approach the students. The students then market themselves by presenting their portfolios, resumes, and All About Me presentations, displaying skills they have acquired throughout their time in the program.
“The ACT program is a student-centered program that connects students with internship experiences that match their career goals to determine whether or not they will want to continue with that specific career choice,” states Ramon Casanova, Executive Director of the ACT program.
Designed as a two-year cohort to empower students with disabilities, the ACT program provides vocational, educational, and social skills necessary to help ACT students become contributing members of society. Experiences such as the reverse job fair help to strengthen career skills and meet their needs.
“It is extremely important to provide our students with various vocational experiences like the ACT Reverse Job Fair,” says Gabrielle Razzo, ACT Practicum Instructor. “These experiences help develop independence, confidence, and skills necessary for future employment and daily life.”
This type of experience is also beneficial for businesses looking to enhance and diversify their workforce. According to a 2023 research report from Accenture in partnership with Disabilities: IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), “Companies that lead in disability inclusion drive more revenue, net income and profit” (Accenture, 2023). For local businesses that appreciate the value in hiring students with disabilities, there is no better opportunity to scout for underrepresented talent.
Razzo adds, “This event helps support the ACT students and local businesses by fostering a community of inclusion and improving the quality of life for all involved.”
RCSJ’s mission has always been grounded in student success. With various resources provided to ACT students that assist them with obtaining job opportunities, RCSJ breaks down barriers and remains committed to its mission.
“This is the students’ chance to demonstrate their confidence that they have built with the support from the ACT program,” Casanova proudly shares, “It is a huge honor and proud moment for all ACT staff to experience this alongside of the ACT students applying the skills that they have learned and hopefully obtaining employment from this event. We are so proud of all our ACT graduating students!”
For local businesses seeking to participate in this tremendous vocational experience, email act@rcsj.edu or call 856-464-5203. For more information about RCSJ’s ACT program, visit RCSJ.edu/ACT
