I'm considering a career in vocational rehabilitation and might want to work in Miami. What should I focus on during my high school or college years to prepare, and are there particular companies or organizations in Miami that hire in this field?
It's wonderful to hear that you're considering a career in vocational rehabilitation. As for preparing yourself during your high school or college years, there are several steps you could take.
Firstly, try to make your coursework align with your career goal. This would typically involve subjects such as psychology, social work, human services, sociology, or special education. During college, pursuing a degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a related field would most directly prepare you for this career path.
Secondly, try gaining relevant experience. You could start by volunteering or interning at local rehabilitation centers or disability advocacy organizations to gain hands-on experience. This doesn't just contribute to your knowledge and skills, but it also helps establish a professional network.
To answer your second question, Miami does indeed have several organizations and companies that hire in the field of vocational rehabilitation. Some of these include:
1. The Florida Department of Education's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation: As a state-run organization, they work across Florida to help individuals with disabilities find employment.
2. Jackson Health System: This is a comprehensive healthcare system based in Miami that often requires vocational rehabilitation experts for their rehabilitation department.
3. Miami-Dade County Public Schools: They sometimes hire vocational rehabilitation counselors to assist students with disabilities in the transition into the workforce.
4. Goodwill Industries: A non-profit organization that often employs vocational rehabilitation counselors in their mission to assist individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment.
5. Various private rehabilitation services and vocational consultancies also hire professionals in this field.
So indeed, if you're looking at a career in vocational rehabilitation, Miami offers quite a lot of opportunities. Best of luck in your journey!
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