Jaclyn Camden, part 1

How is the rapid evolution of technology transforming the career landscape for students with disabilities? In this episode of Evidence to Employment: Transition Research in Action, host Carolyn Cage sits down with Jaclyn Camden, Project Director and Study Lead at VCU-RRTC on Transition, to discuss the past, present, and future of post-secondary education and career development.Jaclyn shares her deeply personal journey into the field—from a high school counselor telling her she wasn't "college material" to witnessing her first cohort of students with intellectual disabilities walk across the VCU graduation stage.The conversation dives deep into the necessity of innovation in higher education, highlighting a remarkable COVID-era success story of a virtual internship that turned into permanent employment. Jaclyn also introduces her groundbreaking new research study, which focuses on equipping diverse college professionals—from career services to accessibility offices—with the precise tools they need to connect students with all types of disabilities to meaningful internships and careers.Key Takeaways From This Episode:The Power of High Expectations: How shifting the narrative around students with disabilities opens doors to higher education and meaningful employment.The Tech Shift in the Workforce: A look at data from the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs report, and why college professionals must prepare students for a rapidly changing, tech-driven labor market.Innovation Through Virtual Support: How remote internships and digital tools (like Zoom) can successfully broaden geographical and professional access for students.Expanding the Research: Moving from specialized programs (like VCU's ACE-IT in College) to a broader professional development model that supports students across all disability categories on campus.Learn More & Connect:Featured Guest: Jaclyn Camden, Study Lead & Project Director at VCU-RRTCHost: Carolyn Cage, Director of Training for the VCU-RRTCExplore the Research: To take a closer look at the data, strategies, and studies mentioned in this episode, visit transition.vcurrtc.org.What's Next? Tune in to our next session, where Jaclyn goes "behind the scenes" and dives even deeper into the rollout and metrics of her current research study!