One of the most important parts of re-entry for justice-impacted students is finding employment. A good job is key to creating stability and financial support for students recently released. The first job following re-entry is an important steppingstone
to continued career advancement and professional development for justice-impacted students. The following resources lay the groundwork for a successful job search and hiring process.
Where can justice-impacted students connect with mentors and professional networks?
There are many ways to support justice-impacted students in finding professional connections and mentors. At the institutional level, many students look for mentors through university or program alumni networks, or through campus career centers. For students
in higher education in prison (HEP) programs, HEP graduates can be a particularly valuable source of insight and guidance. The Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network (FICGN) is a community
of professionals committed to driving career advancement and educational attainment for justice-impacted students.
Where should justice-impacted students look for job opportunities? How can advisors help students to identify and pursue careers of interest?
There are several job boards and databases that can help justice-involved students identify opportunities for employment:
FICGN Job Board: Helps systems-involved students target their job search with openings from Fair Chance employers
Second Chance Business Coalition: A coalition of private sector firms committed to expanding Second Chance hiring and advancement in their companies
Justice-impacted students should get connected with the career center at the college or university sponsoring their HEP program, and other local entities supporting job seekers, like American Job Centers or Apprenticeship.gov.
Local or statewide job fairs are also a good place for students to network and learn more about the career opportunities available to them.
Numerous resources exist to support students in identifying career options, and specifically, those that would be a best fit based on skills and interests.
CareerOneStop: A web site developed by the US Department of Labor, which offers skills and interests assessments, as well as
information about various careers and opportunities, specifically for justice-impacted and re-entering individuals
Mapping Your Future: The Education Justice Project’s re-entry resource includes worksheets for identifying
skills and interests and setting short- and long-term career goals (see page 43).
Other worksheets and planning resources may be available through university career centers or re-entry programs.
How can advisors support students in applying to jobs and preparing for interviews?
Preparing a resume is a great place to start. Students should focus on elevating previous work experience (including any jobs or volunteer roles held while incarcerated), their skills and interests, and academic achievements. For examples of resumes
written by justice-impacted students, see here (Mapping Your Future Guide, 2024).
Support with application and interview preparation will help re-entering students feel comfortable and confident in the job search process. This resource from Mapping Your Future guides students through tips for filling out a job application, and what to expect in a job interview.
What else should counselors know to successfully support justice-impacted students in their job search and career development?
Unsurprisingly, consistent communication, support, and outreach are key to ensuring a smooth transition to employment for recently released students. Staying in touch through email, texting, or in-person meetings can help students navigate challenges
that may arise in the transition to work. This kind of personalized, holistic support can help students troubleshoot quickly, and work through any barriers that may prevent success in the workplace. For some students, this may include support finding
transportation to and from work, working through conflicts with coworkers, or learning to speak comfortability about their record of systems-involvement. Others going through re-entry may be motivated to continue their education and further their
skillsets, by enrolling in additional credential or degree programs. Counselors and advisors can serve as useful touch points to direct students to the best resources, on or off campus, as they return to work and set career goals post-release.
For more information and resources on supporting college students in their career advancement, click here.
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