Workforce Recruitment Staff Visit UW

Each year, the U.S. Department of Labor creates a student database through a federal project called the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP). The WRP database lists college students with disabilities along with their major, their skills, and the places in the country where they want to do internships or accept permanent positions.

"It's a chance for students to get their information into the hands of employers who want to hire them," explained this year's Seattle recruiter Jerry McGaughran. On the University of Washington (UW) campus in Seattle, Jerry met with eighteen students to hear about their academic experiences, skills, and employment goals. The student information gathered during the interviews is made available to employers in the public and private sectors. Each database remains active for one year. During that time, employers contact students directly to invite them to apply for open positions.

"It's fun to participate in a national program," explained one student. "Maybe I'll get an offer here in Seattle, or maybe I'll decide to go somewhere cool like Washington, D.C. I'm not sure. Either way, it was good practice to prepare for a real interview and meet with a recruiter! Next time I do an interview, I'll be more confident."

Find more information about the WRP, at www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/brochures/wrp1.html.