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  Issue # 23 | February 2025
Dressing for Success and Professionalism in the Workplace
Whether you are interviewing, attending a meeting, working or going to school, maintaining a professional appearance is crucial. According to Psychology Today, first impressions can be made in a mere seven seconds. That’s why it is critical to “tip the scales” in your favor by dressing appropriately for interviews, job fairs and other professional activities. Here are some tips for staying professional and utilizing the power of appearance:
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When interviewing for a position, make sure to choose something you feel comfortable and confident in, while also communicating that you are responsible, qualified and mature. It is a good rule of thumb to dress slightly more professional than what you would for a typical day on the job. Make sure all of your clothes fit well, are stain free and do not include any offensive language. Additionally, do not forget to brush your teeth, shower and comb your hair before you arrive. During the interview, smile and keep good posture – these are key signs of confidence!
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Once hired, consider your company culture. Depending on the workplace, check with your manager to see whether you have to abide by a specific dress code and research what that would look like. Regardless of the dress code, keep up with your personal hygiene, don’t wear anything revealing or offensive, and ensure your clothing fits and is wrinkle-free!
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Keep up with your wardrobe. Make sure it contains a variety of clothing for different occasions, like school, work and professional meetings. Additionally, labelling items and grouping similar items together in your closet can make them easier to find. Some find that braille clothing identifiers, tactile identifiers, or apps like Be My Eyes are useful for navigation.
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Never be afraid to ask for help. Friends, family and your BSBP counselor can warn you about stains, recommend fashion choices, and help you find the colors that suit you best!
If you need additional assistance or resources for dressing for success or building professional communication skills your Rehabilitation Professional is here to assist you in being fully prepared.
Check out resources specifically for individuals who are blind or low vision below:
Don't forget to check out the BSBP Pre-ETS/Transition Services page and see what new and exciting programs are planned. Explore, sign up and connect with your counselor today regarding any questions.
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Our goal is to help students aged 14 to 26 to successfully make the transition from high school to postsecondary education or employment. We offer lots of exciting camps and weekend trips to help you learn while having some fun and meeting other students who are Blind and Visually impaired across the state!
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Check out this list of scholarship and grant opportunities from around the country.
Please check the specific application deadline and requirements for each because they vary.
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February 15-16, 2025
Register now for an ice fishing weekend camp with certified ice fishing instructor, Maureen Stine! This event will take place February 15-16 at Camp Daggett in Petosky. Although not required, students are encouraged to bring along their family to join in on the fun!
Meals will be provided and fishing licenses are not required for this weekend. In case the ice is not thick enough, OUB will have land-based nature activities and crafts to do, and lots of fun – including a campfire!
Register by Friday, February 7 by completing this form.
You can also view upcoming OUB camps at oubmichigan.org/camp-schedule-2025/.
For questions, please email Aric Wallace at aricwallace@gmail.com or gwen@oubmichigan.org.
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March 21-23, 2025
Asppire’s iCan will be an action-packed three-day weekend filled with networking, community engagement opportunities, skill building, self-advocacy and social skill building, and more.
Participants will arrive on Friday afternoon and complete the program by Sunday afternoon. Detailed itinerary location for lodging, and suggested packing list will follow after registration.
West Region BSBP clients who are 16 years or older (high school juniors and seniors, transition program students, and college students) are encouraged to apply. Register by February 19 at https://www.bit.ly/BSBP-iCAN.
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February 20 and March 22
Don’t miss the upcoming opportunity for families and students to engage with the BSBP Training Center (located in Kalamazoo) on Microsoft Teams! This event is designed to help families connect with the dedicated Training Center Professionals, explore the programs offered for students throughout the summer, and learn about other resources for students.
The session will include a video tour, testimonials from past students, open dialogue, and information about fun, health and safety. This will be an open and welcoming space to address concerns, gain clarity and foster trust in the BSBP Training Center programs.
Sessions take place on Thursday, February 20 (6:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.) and Saturday, March 22 (11 a.m. -12 p.m.) Interested families only need to attend one session. If you’re interested, please register at https://bit.ly/3P4msXV.
For more information, please contact Jaclyn Scholten at scholtenJ1@michigan.gov or 269-337-3758.
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Join BSBP and MDE-Resources for Blind and Low Vision (formerly MDE-LIO) for an informative and interactive program created to equip students with work readiness and self-advocacy skills! Students will learn how to prepare for their future careers by engaging with a panel of successful professionals with visual impairments, focusing on securing a career, job accommodations, and soft skills.
Virtual (Zoom) Prep Session
Thursday, March 6, 2025 (6 – 7:30pm)
Central Region Training Event
Thursday, March 20, 2025 (9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
Northwest Education Services – Conference Center A & B
1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684
West Region Training Event
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 (9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
KENT ISD Conference Center
1633 E Betline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
East Region Training Event
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
Wayne Community College – Ted Scott Campus
9555 Haggerty Rd., Belleville, MI 48118
Register by February 28, 2025 by clicking on one of the links above. Contact leo-bsbptransition@michigan.gov with questions or for more information.
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March 31 - May 30, 2025
Please join us in this virtual eight-week workshop in which participants identify their personal strengths and use that knowledge, along with workplace readiness training, to discover careers that are successful and satisfying.
Participants will have interactive and group experiences as they build foundations for career growth and career goal development which leads to informed decisions and more focused and successful job experiences. Participants will also develop resumes, cover letters and have opportunities to interview professionals. All this while having fun and boosting confidence!
Programming begins the week of March 31 and goes until May 30, 2025. Virtual workshops will be held twice weekly and last for two and a half hours. Please register by February 21 at https://bit.ly/BSBP-RoadtoSuccess25.
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Do you have an awesome BSBP counselor who goes above and beyond to help you (or your child) achieve your goals? Well now you can tell the world about them😊!
We would love to feature your counselor in one of our upcoming monthly newsletters! Complete your quick and easy nomination at https://forms.gle/i2EkPg72Z6927xEd8.
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Not a student currently working with BSBP and want to get in on the action?
BSBP has offices across the state and can meet you in the comfort of your own home and/or school. Contact our BSBP mainline at 1-800-292-4200 to get started or visit this link for office locations.
Questions for the Pre-ETS Team? Reach out to LEO-BSBPTransition@michigan.gov.
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Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics |
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