Transition Specialists work with high school students, helping students work toward graduation with an eye on life after high school. They primarily advise students, guiding them in their journey for after high school. Transition Specialists conduct interviews to identify students' career goals, conduct skills assessments, research career opportunities for students, refer students to programs or services, and assist students in the documentation process. They also do the following:
- Provide transition assessments (interest and career inventories, aptitudes, work skills) to all students with IEPs
- Maintain a “Transition Profile” for each student and track assessments and their results with a suggested timeline of implementation
- Collaborate with community businesses to establish work experience, and possibly students in the Transition Program
- Provide trainings to Special Education staff
- Attend IEP meetings to discuss transition plans/options
- Collaborate with IEP teams to write meaningful transition plans, determine post-secondary goals and transition services, and/or serve as a resource to Special Education case managers
- Organize a “Transition Fair” for Special Education students and their families that would provide information from workplaces, colleges, transition program, community resources, etc.
- Post-secondary planning
- Facilitate tours/visits to community programs, workplace settings, and/or post-secondary institutions
- Work closely with the Counseling Department on post-secondary options
- Gather information and provide a Post-Secondary Planning Pamphlet to students with Special Education needs
- Provide students personalized career transition services and ensure graduates remain successfully attached to the workforce or higher education and other trainings
- Conduct employment bridge building and workforce development to establishment partnerships to enhance mutual opportunities
- Assist students with enrollment processes to college, workforce, training, and independent skills programs