Harrisburg’s Career Studies Program celebrates 10 years

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Penn State Harrisburg’s Career Studies Program is celebrating 10 years of providing an inclusive post-secondary education experience for individuals with disabilities — making college accessible for those who, historically, would not have the opportunity to have a college experience.

Career Studies is a U.S. Department of Education-approved Comprehensive Transition Program, where individuals with intellectual disabilities obtain a high-quality, individualized, post-secondary education.

“We began the program with two students, hard work and a dream that the program would grow and flourish,” said Linda Rhen, director of Career Studies. “It is truly amazing and rewarding to see how the campus has embraced this program and provided Career Studies students and staff with a true sense of belonging.”

Started in 2015, the Career Studies Program has grown to serve about 15 students each semester. Individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities aged 18-25 can apply. The program includes academic and social enrichment, career exploration and practical work experience.

Students who complete the Career Studies Program earn a certificate of completion and can also earn a Retail Industry Fundamentals credential from the National Retail Foundation. Students take academic courses alongside other Penn State Harrisburg students, and also take courses designed for Career Studies. The students explore careers through job shadows, practicums and field trip experiences.

Peer mentors, who are Penn State Harrisburg undergraduate and graduate students, provide academic and social support. About 20-25 students work as peer mentors each semester.

Completers of the Career Studies Program have gone on to obtain employment in a variety of places, including a local coffee shop, retail stores, a logistics/distribution center, a child care center and positions on the college campus.

For the program to work well and benefit students, Rhen said, it takes a “village” — faculty and staff who provide opportunities for Career Studies students, employer partners who host work experiences, peer mentors who help to guide Career Studies students, and school districts and community agencies who refer students to the program.

“I am impressed by the growth of the program and the deep roots that have developed to sustain the program,” Rhen said.

Here’s a look at some of the people involved in Career Studies, from students to faculty to employers.

Linda Rhen, Career Studies director

When Career Studies began, a college program for young adults with intellectual disabilities was “truly an unknown entity” to Penn State and Pennsylvania at the time, Linda Rhen said.

“As far as our individual students, we have witnessed their personal growth and in many cases upon completion of the program, they have found meaningful competitive employment,” she said. “They have created real friendships with other students. They and their families express satisfaction with the program.”

In the future, she hopes to see the program continue to grow employer partnerships and add employment-related categories for students to explore. In terms of sustaining the program, there have been donations to increase outreach.

“The continued deepening of the program’s roots within our campus and the university and increased visibility in the community will help the program and all individuals with disabilities who should be included in their schools and communities,” Rhen said.

Sandy McBride, Career Studies Program coordinator

Sandy McBride, a former learning support teacher, said she hopes the students in Career Studies complete the program with a greater sense of self confidence than when they started.

Students in Career Studies benefit by having the opportunity to embrace the experiences on a college campus, continue their learning by auditing academic classes, and develop job skills through shadowing and practice-work opportunities, she said.

“We want them to realize how much they CAN do,” she said. “We work very hard to help the students develop self-advocacy skills, independent skills, job skills, and social skills. We hope they leave the program feeling powerful, confident and ready to enter the work environment.”

But they aren’t the only ones that benefit, she said: including students with intellectual disabilities on campus gives others the opportunity to interact and learn from them.

“I think everyone benefits from interacting with diverse populations,” McBride said. “Our students have so much to offer. Having an inclusive program is a win-win for everyone. Our students are given the chance to experience college life. Students, staff and faculty get to see how much (our) students are capable of contributing.”

Career Studies student: Daniel Mills

Daniel Mills, who transferred to Career Studies from another college, will complete the program in May.

Mills, who has an intellectual disability, has taken classes including introduction to music and personal defense. It can be challenging to keep up with his professors sometimes, he said, but his peer mentors can help him take notes. His favorite class was effective speech, because the professor was easygoing and made the subject interesting.

“The most important thing I have learned in the Career Studies program is going to different job shadows and learning new skills,” he said.

Job shadowing has helped him learn what kind of jobs he likes and doesn’t, he said, listing an experience at Kohl’s as his favorite. Mills, who lives off campus, said he enjoys spending time with his peer mentors and playing pool in the Student Enrichment Center with others.

“Career Studies is a good program to be in because of the helpful mentors, teachers. And I have good friends,” he said.

Career Studies alum, Tartil Jaigirdar, employed at Inspiration Station

Tartil Jaigirdar completed Career Studies in the spring of 2024, with a goal of working with kids someday. She took classes such as child development and speech, as well as theater and yoga.

“I loved the program. I loved the practicums I had,” said Jaigirdar, who has an intellectual disability.

The program helped her understand how to succeed and achieve goals, she said, and she learned about different types of jobs.

“All of it was a wonderful experience,” she said.

After completing Career Studies, she began working at Inspiration Station, a child care center in Camp Hill, starting part-time but growing into a full-time role. She loves playing with the children and wants to help children succeed, she said.

“She’s doing a great job. She’s happy, she smiles with the kids. She’s flexible,” said Jennifer Peck, owner/director of Inspiration Station.

Peck noted that Jaigirdar asks questions if she doesn’t understand something, a skill Career Studies students work on in the program. Peck has encouraged Jaigirdar to pursue a certificate in child development.

Peck said she’s had several staff members with special needs.

“Every person is important … and deserves a chance,” she said.

Peer mentor: Jenna Frey

Jenna Frey is in her second year as a peer mentor. Her mother is a special education teacher, she said, so she grew up working with people with disabilities and learned to find each and every person’s uniqueness.

“It’s been very rewarding,” Jenna said, of being a peer mentor, adding that it doesn’t feel like a job. She helps students with classes, she said, and she likes attending campus events like Fall Fest or Spring Fling with Career Studies students. And she’s learned a lot, not just from what she’s been taught, but through the experiences with students.

“It’s more than a job, it’s friendship,” she said.

Former peer mentor: Madison Poole

Political science major Madison Poole likes to ask people questions — so the three semesters she worked as a peer mentor largely felt like an opportunity to hang out and get to know Career Studies students.

As a mentor, she attended classes with Career Studies students and met with them for academic support — helping with their classes or note taking. Peer mentors also provide social support, whether it’s attending events like the Fall Festival together or just enjoying lunch at Stacks Market, the campus food court.

Poole hopes Career Studies students feel accepted and know they belong. She enjoys seeing them grow and thrive.

“They should feel empowered to go out and do whatever makes their heart happy,” she said.

Faculty member: Patricia Aguilera Hermida

Patricia Aguilera Hermida, associate teaching professor of human development and family studies, has had Career Studies students in classes including art therapy and human flourishing. 

“They are like any other students,” she said. “They are excited to learn, they get nervous when they have to speak in public, they want to do their best, and they feel proud when they have accomplishments.”

Career Studies students seem to enjoy interacting with their classmates, she said.

“Other students interact with Career Studies students organically, which creates an inclusive environment,” Aguilera said.

Employer: Stephen Wenger of DP World

Part of the mission statement at DP World, a logistics company in Middletown, is to change what’s possible for everyone, and general manager Stephen Wenger says that’s about more than just logistics.

“We want to do right by our community,” he said. “We want to do what we can to make sure we’re inclusive and being a good social partner.”

DP World began working with the Career Studies program in fall 2023, with a group of students coming for a day to job shadow. Then the company began to have interested students complete career practicums there, working with a job coach. Last fall, DP World hired a former Career Studies student who enjoyed his practicum so much, he applied for a job — and was hired.

At DP World, Career Studies students learn the practical skills of working in a distribution/fulfillment center, as well as about the social construct of a workplace, Wenger said, so they know what it will be like to work independently.

Students are gaining skills, but Wenger said his employees benefit, too — he’s seen employees grow in their leadership skills by working with the students.

“We not only receive gainful employment, but our team grows as leaders at the same time,” he said.