QUESTION #1:
How did you land private rehabilitation work in the first place?
I was working full time for a private non-profit in Ohio while attending graduate school on a part-time basis. I graduated in 1981and moved to Washington D.C. immediately afterwards. While in grad school, I applied for two openings with private rehab companies in the Baltimore-Washington area. One opening I located in the Washington Post classifieds and the other in the classifieds of a professional journal. I was not offered a job by either employer, but I became aware that the private for profit sector existed in my new area. Upon moving to D.C., I began the very first week calling all of the private for profit rehabilitation companies that I could find, whether or not they were advertising openings. I landed two interviews (for unadvertised positions) and was hired in less than a week. When the first job was not quite what I had hoped for, I reapplied to the other company I had interviewed with (having remained in touch with them in the ensuing months), and they hired me at a much higher salary.
I have found jobs in my career by applying for advertised openings, some good, some bad, but before launching my own company, I found that being aggressive in contacting as many employers as possible was an effective strategy to locate a job.
Answered by Steven D. Shedlin, M.Ed., CRC
QUESTION #2:
Are there easy ways for students to get involved with IARP?
More and more students are getting involved with IARP on a variety of levels and especially through IARP boards and committees. Many of our boards and committees actively seek and desire student representation, valuing the opinions and ideas of the “emerging professional” in shaping the chapter and its programs. Section boards, related committees and chapter boards are looking for student involvement. Do not be shy about talking with the leaders of your chapter or section!
Many chapters also offer students free registration to local conferences. Some seek student participation behind-the-scenes. The recent IARP Illinois chapter conference sought the help of several students who volunteered to provide facility information, monitor sessions, and help distribute materials.
For more information on how you can get involved, please contact Tony Morin.
QUESTION #3:
Is a fierce entrepreneurial spirit necessary to build a successful private rehabilitation career?
I have been a rehabilitation counselor since 1978 and have had my own company since 1989. I was recently asked if I thought that a fierce entrepreneurial spirit was necessary to build a successful private rehabilitation career. For me, the answer is “no.”
During the eleven years that I worked for someone else, I worked in a private, non-profit setting, a private for-profit setting and for an association serving individuals with disability. I was afforded the opportunity to provide case management services, vocational expert services, and I had an opportunity to work as a supervisor on the association level and as a manager with a private for-profit company. When I was a manager I realized that the cliché about good work being the best marketing was true.
When I decided to go out on my own, I decided to follow the same axiom. I felt that if I could provide credible work as a vocational expert and life care planner, I would always have a sufficient amount of business. While I did network and try to meet new customers for my first year or two, I quickly reached a “tipping point” where attorneys sought me out for work. I was happy to be a solo practitioner or at times work with one other professional employee.
I did not feel that I had to have a fierce entrepreneurial spirit to receive enough business to make a very good living, but I did have to have a fierce spirit about the quality of my work that I provided. Ensuring the quality of my work included being a regular attendee at local and national conferences and keeping up with relevant literature. I continue to give as many presentations as possible -- to peers and law groups -- so that I am a “known commodity.” This presence leads to important recommendations and referrals. Being the best rehabilitation professional that I can be has enabled me to have a successful and very satisfying career.
Answered by Steven D. Shedlin, M.Ed., CRC