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  Issue # 29 | August 2025
The Benefits of Social Media
Social platforms like LinkedIn and (if you’re a college student) Handshake are specifically built for networking and searching for job opportunities. Using these programs can inform you of unofficial/word-of-mouth postings from companies or online connections, setting you apart from the hundreds of other applicants on a job board, especially if you come recommended from a current employee. Even if you aren’t actively searching for a job, building your profile and staying engaged is important – it gives you long-established connections for when the time comes.
A few ways to create and strengthen your professional profile online include:
- Highlight any relevant work or educational experience, extracurricular activities and awards. This is your chance to be thorough, including more detail than a one-page resume allows!
- Use a professional photo or headshot of yourself. Make sure the picture is clear, shows your entire face at a straight angle, and makes you appear friendly and professional.
- Use professional wording (try to avoid “I” and “me” statements) to write a short bio about yourself including an objective, your education, experience, skills and key words from the companies and job postings you are interested in.
- Regularly add professional references - including coworkers, managers, mentors, educators, friends, family, new profiles you find with mutual connections, and anyone you meet in your prospective field at in-person events or seminars.
- Keep your profile updated. Post consistently about trending career-based topics, your professional or educational accomplishments, and ask questions to expand your network to stay on people’s radar. Lastly, be sure to not just focus on your own goals and achievements, but comment and offer support on others too – networking goes both ways!
- If you find a role you are interested in or a recruiter reaches out to you, your hard work has paid off! Take the opportunity to interview or stay in touch with the company until you graduate.
Aside from LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram also have job boards and communities you can join, aiding you in finding new opportunities, researching companies before you decide to apply/accept a role, and meeting new professionals in the field.
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The Risks of Social Media
As much as social media can be a helpful tool, it can also be hurtful to your reputation, employability and reputability of qualifications. Before you apply for any role, make sure to Google your name and location and see what pops up. If you find something that a hiring manager may frown upon, consider adjusting it, at least until your job search is over!
Do’s and Don’ts of using social media while in school or employed:
DON’T:
- Post anything offensive, illegal or discriminatory.
- Share overly pessimistic or desperate posts regarding your job search.
- Use social media when you are supposed to be working or complain publicly about your previous job, current job, coworkers, boss or school.
- Distribute confidential information your company has entrusted to you.
- Overshare your personal life – even though your social media is your own, be careful to remember who may see your profile. A hiring manager may look down on political rants, overly revealing photos, and sensitive information on relationships or personal issues. Additionally, if you are choosing not to disclose your disability to prospective employers, be sure to keep this information solely in a private account or off your social media.
DO:
- Consider using a nickname or setting your account to private – this will allow you to approve or deny requests of individuals who request to follow you/see your posts.
- Wait until you are done working at a company to add your coworkers and managers.
- Post about your passions, experience, and give employers a sense of your personality (volunteering, causes you care about, hobbies, etc.) – social media allows you to share things you didn’t get to disclose in an interview!
More Resources:
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Tiffany Armitage has joined our BSBP team as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in the Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo area!
She comes with experience in the behavioral and public health sectors, working various roles such as clinical therapist, intake specialist, and Pre-ETS Rehabilitation Counselor with our partner agency, Michigan Rehabilitation Services. Tiffany earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University.
Tiffany loves to spend time with her dog, who happens to be named after a character from the Golden Girls show - Sophia Petrillo! She also has a passion for reading and spending quality time with her family and friends. Others may find it interesting that in the past she has worked as a therapist in a level four men’s prison.
Tiffany is most passionate about engaging with students and their families to build strong relationships and help empower the students to learn new skills and achieve their goals. Advice that she offers to Pre-ETS students and families is to, “take full advantage of the opportunities available to you. These opportunities are beneficial for both personal and professional growth and will enhance employment outcomes.”
Please welcome Tiffany to our team! If you would like to reach out to her, her email is ArmitageT3@michigan.gov.
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From May 31 to June 1, BSBP held their annual Encountering Career Opportunities: Hospitality at Great Wolf Lodge program in Traverse City. During the event, 18 families joined for an exploration into the hospitality industry. Students and families participated in tailored interactive workshops, community meals, independent living rotations, and family sessions with a side of fun at the water park.
This annual program brings students from Central Region and beyond to explore the Great Wolf Lodge to learn about how the company keeps things afloat and the wide variety of career options available within the hospitality industry. Students were taken on an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the Lodge, facilitated by seasoned staff members. Students were amazed by the industrial washing machines and massive towel folding machines, while the retail store and arcade areas were highlights for most.
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Students and staff also had the opportunity to engage in discussion throughout this interactive experience while participants learned about some of the universal tools in place for all. Students later had the opportunity to interact with staff from the culinary department, human resources, engineering team, front desk operations, and everyone’s favorite, the aquatics office. Students reported enjoying “meeting others with visual impairment[s] and touring the [Great Wolf] Lodge” and “meeting friends".
Families were also provided with curated workshops, networking opportunities and ample time to interact with BSBP staff during the independent living rotation, family listening sessions and consultations. Hands-on opportunities to explore various tools like Meta glasses, cutting gloves and knife guards were appreciated, while simulation activities using a white cane were beneficial for participants to gain a better understanding of the barriers presented to individuals who navigate without sight.
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Families reported the weekend was very rewarding with one parent stating that they enjoyed “engaging with other parents and discovering [that] you aren't alone in this process of figuring out the best way to help create independence for our children. I LOVED trying the Meta glasses, navigating going up the steps with a cane and seeing all the kids engage with other kids.”
Overall, the ECO: Hospitality at Great Wolf Lodge was a successful weekend and BSBP is looking forward to hosting it in the future!
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Join the Michigan Alliance for Families for a FREE webinar series for parents of children with IEPs or IFSPs as you get ready to head back to school. All webinars take place on Wednesdays at 12 p.m., starting July 30. One registration allows you to attend all the workshops in the series.
August 6 – Start Strong - Be IEP Ready for Back to School! with Andrea Beachnau and Amy Sanderson
Families will gain practical strategies to review and understand their child’s IEP before the school year starts.
- Learn how the key components of the IEP work together.
- Learn how to align school services and supports with current needs.
- Build confidence to support your child throughout the entire school year.
Bring your child’s IEP as we walk you through how to use different tools to strengthen your knowledge, advocacy, and collaboration as a key member of your child’s IEP team.
*Please note: The August 6 “Start Strong!” webinar will be presented in Spanish the next day (Thursday, August 7), with a separate registration required.
August 13 – Living Your Life with Your SPIN with Kara Clarke, Joyce Dearhamer and Stephanie Nicholls
Young adults (and their loved ones) are invited to explore ways to share your strengths, preferences, interests and needs (SPIN). Attendees will walk away with tools to communicate their SPIN at school and in life. Wait, what is SPIN?
- Strengths: What you are good at
- Preferences: What you like
- Interests: How you spend your free time
- Needs: What supports allow you to be successful
Resources and Registration at https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/rts-2025/.
Questions? Contact info@michiganallianceforfamilies.org.
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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