Career Biographies
Karen Franklin
Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
Vocational Evaluator
Karen moved to Richmond to attend Virginia Commonwealth University's Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Counseling. To receive her master's degree, Karen completed a required full-time, semester-long internship with the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services. After graduation, Karen joined DRS' Vocational Evaluation Center and began her career teaching job seeking skills to persons with disabilities.
What does a Vocational Evaluator do? Vocational Evaluators assist persons with identifying academic and work-related abilities and aptitudes, career interests and many other characteristics that may be required for employment. I work with people who have a variety of different disabilities - emotional, mental, physical or hearing impaired - to help them identify appropriate career goals and steps for reaching those goals. I meet with people to learn more about their previous work experience, their disabilities and any limitations that may now be barriers to employment, and other related information as well as review educational, medical or other relevant records. I evaluate and determine appropriate testing and assessment tools, as well as administer, score and interpret the results. These assessments include aptitude, academic achievement and simulated work activities. Career counseling is a very important part of this process and we consider the individual's interests by using interest inventory assessments.
Since we help a wide range of individuals with varying skills, abilities, and goals, it's very important for a Vocational Evaluator to be knowledgeable of a wide range of careers, the job market, employment trends, training programs, and other services that might be needed to help a person prepare to work. Like career counselors, we incorporate educational knowledge with career interests and capabilities. However, we also look very closely at matching an individual's level of functioning along with the job requirements. Part of my job may be in identifying employment opportunities or conducting a study of a particular job to learn detailed information about physical and other requirements of the job. I also may visit someone on an actual job site in the community to assess an individual's skills and abilities, or to meet with an employer to determine what it takes to work in a particular job - what the job does, the demands of the job, and how the work is performed for example.
What keeps you excited about working in this field? I'm working in part of a process that is truly a critical link in rehabilitation. I'm meeting new people all the time and in performing these assessments, helping people realize what skills they do have and opening their eyes about various options that they do have available to them. "They've told me that it has really helped them a lot with career direction. It can really be a pivotal point in someone's life. I really enjoy my work, and it's exciting to see others realize their own potential. It's the whole reason that I continue to work in this field."
Why did you choose your career with DRS? Initially, I accepted an internship to complete my degree. I liked the work and the atmosphere and began work for the agency on a part-time basis which eventually led to a full-time opportunity. DRS has a positive work atmosphere and we offer quality services to people.
