Little Rock Job Corps students Jazmine Cruz and Cedric Smith had the opportunity to Job Shadow Executive Director Sha’ Burke-Stephens, of the Arkansas State Independent Living Council (ARSILC) located in Little Rock. The ARSILC promotes independent living among individuals throughout the state of Arkansas with any type of disability. The students were provided an overview of a typical day in the ARSILC office and got to hear and see Ms. Stephens in action as she answered inquiries from constituents, participated on a conference call with other disability providers, as well as signing off on requisitions that required approval.

Jazmine and Cedric got hands on experience by helping prepare envelopes for a mass mail out and learned the procedure of filling out a confidentiality statement as it relates to operational duties of an organization. Ms. Burke-Stephens provided them with hands on experience as well as instructions on administrative duties that keep an office running. She also explained to them that in leadership a good leader is as great as the individuals that work for them. “There is nothing that I wouldn’t ask my assistant, Leanna, to do that I would not do myself” said Ms. Stephens. “A great leader inspires others to act”.

The students also had the pleasure to visit with Kyle Hoffman, CEO of Client First Staffing Solutions, who sat down with them and gave an overview of how an employment staffing agency can help them with their career paths.

When asked by Ms. Stephens what they enjoyed about the experience, Cedric stated, “I want to work in your office because you guys have “team work”. Jazmine stated she also enjoyed the opportunity.

The students were presented with Certificates of Achievement from the ARSILC for their job shadow experience.

The ARSILC shared the job shadow experience on their Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/Arkansas-State-Independent-Living-Council-AR-SILC-1046065338786121/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel