Skill Enhancement and Employee Development (SEED)
UPDATE: Applications being accepted for the January 21, 2025 offering.
Skill Enhancement and Employee Development (S.E.E.D.) program provides neurodivergent individuals the opportunity to earn a certificate through the School of Continuing Education. Through in-person instruction, coaching, and employment experiences designed to enhance employability skills, individuals are prepared for independent, competitive employment in the community. Job placement is not provided by the program but referrals to campus and community resources for assistance with job placement is available.
Individuals must not be receiving any services or participating in any programming at the high school level. If an individual has needed or used a 1:1 aide, they are not a suitable candidate for this program.
Students receive classroom instruction and coaching to increase the following skills related to the workplace setting:
- Career Exploration
- Job Search
- Applying for a Job
- Getting a Job
- On the Job
- Interpersonal Skills
- Work Ethic
- Managing Relationships at Work
- Self-Advocacy and Employment Law
- Knowing Your Responsibilities
Students will have work to complete outside of instructional and coaching sessions. To progress through the program, students must demonstrate mastery of a subject area. Students will work with the S.E.E.D. Coordinator to develop a schedule for weekly coaching sessions for individualized or group coaching outside of course instruction.
After showing mastery of topics, students will complete a 175-hour internship experience to apply the skills they have developed. The internship could consist of on-campus and community experiences. Job coaches are not provided at internship sites, but students meet with the S.E.E.D. Coordinator to address job supports and concerns.
Instruction starts in August and January. Deadline to apply is July 15th for the August start and November 30th for the January start.
Program Overview
Part 1: Orientation and Onboarding. The first week of instruction is to support the students with acclimating to the program and understanding program requirements. Students will be provided with a syllabus on the first day of class.
Part 2: Attend in-person instruction and coaching. Class instruction will occur once a week for 2/hours on Mondays. Students will meet individually or in small groups for coaching with the S.E.E.D. Coordinator or subject matter expert at an agreed upon time weekly.
Part 3: Engage in a 175-hour (10-15 hours/week) internship experience. Students may complete their experience using on-campus and community sites. All students will develop a work schedule with the employer partner based on the employer’s and student’s mutually available hours. Students are required to meet every two weeks with the S.E.E.D. Coordinator during their internship experience. Students must submit a time sheet at the end of each internship experience signed by their supervisor to document hours completed.
Upon successful completion of all required parts, students will receive the S.E.E.D. (Skill Enhancement and Employee Development) Certificate through the Center for Access and Accommodative Services (CAAS) and the School of Continuing Education. A graduation ceremony is held in May after program completion to award the students their certificates.
The program is offered twice a year. If you are interested in learning more about the program and upcoming start dates, please contact S.E.E.D. Coordinator Colleen Malinowski at 708-456-0300, ext. 3763 or by email at seed@triton.edu.
S.E.E.D. Application
Please complete the application below if you are interested in applying for the S.E.E.D. program. After completion, the S.E.E.D. Coordinator will contact you regarding next steps. Deadline to apply is July 15th for the August start and November 30th for the January start.
FAQs
Does a student have to have accommodations set up through CAAS to qualify for the S.E.E.D. Program?
Can a student be enrolled in other classes at Triton College while in the S.E.E.D. Program?
Does the S.E.E.D. program have job coaches or teaching assistants?
What if a student wants to enroll in the program but cannot attend all sessions?
How does a student enroll in the S.E.E.D. Program?
Do students have homework in this program? What about meetings outside of class?
Does financial aid cover the cost of the S.E.E.D. program?
Employer Partners
Employer Partners Information
Employer Resources
Employer Resources
Employer FAQs
What kind of liability is business subject to?
Do employers need to pay the student?
Do employers have to host a S.E.E.D. intern every time there is a new cohort?
Will the individual have a job coach or other supervisor provided by Triton?
What if an employer no longer wish to participate in the S.E.E.D. program?
Does the S.E.E.D. program offer training to employers who wish to participate in the program?
Contact Information
Location: Room A-105
(708) 456-0300, Ext. 3917
FAX: (708) 456-0991
Email: seed@dos5.net
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED
CAAS Staff
Colleen V. Malinowski, M.S.
Coordinator, Skill Enhancement & Employee Development
(708) 456-0300, Ext. 3763
colleenmalinowski@dos5.net
Danielle Flores
Coordinator, Center for Access and Accommodative Services
(708) 456-0300, Ext. 3853
danielleflores@dos5.net
Dominique Dial, C.R.C., C.V.E.
Director, Center for Access and Accommodative Services
(708) 456-0300, Ext. 3854
dominiquedial@dos5.net