The AbilITy Connection offers mentoring, internships, scholarships and job placement services to disabled students pursuing careers in Information Technology. Through dedicated professionals who serve as mentors, AbilITy Connection students receive the guidance, experience and insight needed to prepare them for future employment.

In addition to support from Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), AbilITy Connection students benefit from guidance and input from a first-rate Business Advisory Council (BAC).

Note:
A student must be a Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) client before enrolling in the AbilITy Connection program.

Responsibilities of a Student

A student is a person whose career planning and direction is enhanced by a person of experience.

Click here to review the AbilITy Connection Agreement.

Students are responsible for the following.

  • Willing to assume responsibility for his or her own growth and development
  • Making a commitment to investigating a career in Information Technology
  • Receptive to coaching and constructive feedback
  • Possess a realistic expectation of the mentor
  • Willing to participate in an internship and summer job opportunities
  • Maintain an active, working relationship with an academic advisor
  • Meet on a regular basis with a mentor to discuss objectives for career, personal development, education, etc.
  • Attend group sponsored workshops
  • Attend AbilITy Connection forums
  • Enroll in and attend formal educational curriculum
  • Submit monthly status report to Ability Connection Coordinator
  • Maintain regular contact with DVR counselor
Students gain the following.
  • Learn through the mentor's experience
  • Gain accessibility to a coach and advisory resource in the Information Systems Technology field
  • Connect to a supportive network of professionals - Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Business Advisory Council (BAC) and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
  • Gain exposure to job opportunities through the participation of the BAC
  • Experience enthusiastic encouragement from mentor and program sponsors

Suggestions for Students

Students should observe the following guidelines.
  • Ask your mentor for career or educational advice, but do not expect your mentor to be your "career savior"
  • Inform your mentor if you need help, but do not expect your mentor to be available 24 hours/day
  • Respect your mentor, but do not lose your individuality

Student/Mentor Matching Process

  1. Mentoring Committee works with the Recruitment Committee to obtain applications/profiles of potential students
  2. Mentoring Committee obtains applications/profiles of interested BAC-sponsored mentors
  3. Student attends Informational Forum and elects to participate in program
  4. Mentor attends mentoring workshop and elects to be a mentor
  5. Mentoring Committee performs an initial match of potential mentor/student combinations based on a preliminary review
  6. Mentoring Committee organizes a formal meeting to introduce mentors/students and to review program operating guidelines/procedures
  7. Mentoring Committee adjusts mentor/student relationships based on unique needs or requirements
  8. Mentors and students work together to develop career plan