Career Support & Development

Career Skills Training & Employment Program (C-STEP)

The Career Skills Training and Employment Program (C-STEP) offers CIP students who choose to focus on career development instead of college academics the opportunity to participate in small group classes that are challenging, informative, and focused on personal and professional success.

C-STEP students enroll in 18 course credits per year, in addition to their regular CIP services and supports. The C-STEP program is an additional cost to CIP tuition.

MaThematics I

Course will focus on practical math skills such as: creating a budget, managing expenses, calculating net versus gross pay, balancing a checkbook, online banking and calculating loan payments and interest rates.

Mathematics II: Essential Mathematics for Life

Course continues to build on practical Math skills such as: budgeting rent and utilities, price shopping for a car, sale prices and percentages, paying for car insurance and credit card terms and rates.

English I

Class will focus on building skills in English grammar, including punctuation, structure, composition, syntax and spelling, as well as vocabulary building through journaling.

English II: Elements of English

This second level class builds on the basics covered in English I and expands on proper sentence structure, subject/verb agreement, advanced sentence writing techniques and vocabulary.

Reading Comprehension I

In this course, students will read from a variety of sources and apply their comprehension skills in order to: identify the main idea of a story, predict outcomes, compare and contrast, make inferences, and cause and effect. Reading sources include classic and modern literature, as well as newspaper, magazine and online articles.

Reading Comprehension II

A more intensive version of Reading Comprehension I, this course focuses on discussion and review of current events from newspaper, magazine and online articles. Students will choose a book as a class and read and discuss it.

Literature

Students with a love for reading and the desire to have extensive discussions on more serious subject matter will enjoy this class. Students will, through group activities and assigned homework, break down the author’s purpose, the moral and ethical implications and social representation of their assigned books.

Computer Applications – Word and PowerPoint

This course will cover a range of Microsoft Office options with a focus placed on Word and PowerPoint. Students will learn how to create various Word documents such as resumes, cover letters and research papers with citations. They will also create PowerPoint presentations and learn various ways to make a presentation ‘pop’ with elements such as video, music and pictures.

Computer Applications – Excel

This class helps the student gain an understanding of how to navigate through Microsoft’s Excel program. Through hands-on interactive exercises and theme-based projects, students will master various Excel functions such as formulas, charts and formatting.

Career Search Process

In this course, students will prepare for actual job searches and all that that entails. In an interactive setting, students will become proficient at researching careers, cover letter and resume writing, interviewing, communication and telephone skills, and proper dress attire.

Critical Thinking and Conflict Management

Students will focus most of their attention on determining the appropriate steps necessary to make the best decisions possible. Classes will focus on readings about a wide variety of scenarios that touch on many far-reaching moral and ethical dilemmas which student often face. Through interactive role-playing and other devices, students learn how to navigate through the various dilemmas they will face in the real world.

Indentifying Life Skills

Students will learn life skill techniques such as caring for themselves, personal safety, taking responsible action, and health and wellness. In group discussions, they will identify their ‘wants’ and ‘needs’ and how to begin to realize them. Budgeting, bill paying, and independent living skills will also be discussed.

Human Relations

Students will be provided with a blend of concepts and applications in order to help them discover their emotional, intellectual, physical and social potential so they may take better control of their lives and improve their self-beliefs. Case studies, role playing and video analysis will be utilized to help students gain an understanding of the different ways in which people interact.

The Life Coach

Life coaching is a process of supporting students so that they will be able to observe and release their true potential while making positive changes in their lives. Student will learn to identify their goals, focus on the positive, recognize the importance of core values, integrate health and fitness into their daily lives, and deal with negative feedback.

Learning for Earning

Students will be introduced to the various skill sets needed to succeed in the workplace as well as in their personal lives. Using techniques such as simulation games, role playing and online research, students will gain extensive knowledge in topics such as time management, laws in the workplace (including the Americans with Disabilities Act), good employee skills, workplace safety, working as a team, budgets and more.

Social and Interpersonal Communication Skills

This course will have students learn and practice social strategies and techniques such as: appropriate eye contact, body language, telephone conversations, appropriate texting, email language and communication, and online social networking. Students will also learn how to overcome various conflicts and barriers along the way, which may inhibit their growth in properly communicating with others.

Living On Your Own

Students in this course will learn how to set realistic goals for the future and take responsibility for their lives. Students will gain knowledge in food planning for the week, paying bills, insurance, taxes, how to look for a place to live, utility payments, organizing their space, and prioritizing their needs and wants to maximize their potential for success.

Life and Career Management

Students will explore ways to find their direction by identifying their talents, skills and prior life experiences. Students will, through interactive activities, learn to develop positive workplace listening skills, proper communication, team building and boundaries.

Career Skills Group

Students will engage in proactive strategies such as role playing to assist them in building internship strengths and professional workforce readiness. Students will develop action plans, schedules, networking lists, and more in order to make their internships become a reality. Students will learn ways to request interviews, how to cope with a bad interview, and how to have a positive interview.

Video Production

In a group atmosphere, students will create a ‘Welcome to New Students” video using the latest in Apple technology. In this special summer class offering, students will learn camera operation, editing, scheduling, interview skills, wardrobe, set design and lighting to create a short video showcasing CIP and student life.

Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D, Organization for Autism Research

"With unemployment and underemployment among adults on the autism spectrum hovering around 90% the critical importance of individually tailored employment development services cannot be overstated. 

Given the fact that having a job helps in the development of an adult identity, promotes self esteem, supports a growing social circle, and provides financial opportunities programs such as the Career and Employment Services of the College Internship Program are both necessary and welcome.”