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Marjory Stoneman Douglas DECA Club Imparts Job Skills to Students with Disabilities 4

DECA members. {Samantha Novick}

Marjory Stoneman Douglas junior Carissa Marvel reached an epiphany while working with special needs people seeking employment:

“I’ve realized that these students are more than ready for the workforce; they just need a patient mentor and an inclusive environment to show that their potential is limitless,” Marvel said.

Marvel is the founder of Career Compass, a Marjory Stoneman Douglas DECA chapter project dedicated to empowering students with disabilities by providing meaningful, career-focused support.

“Career Compass proves that the professional skills DECA teaches are universal,” Marvel said. “By bringing aspects of the DECA curriculum to a new demographic, we aren’t just teaching business skills and lessons; we’re opening doors for a group of people who are often overlooked in professional development.”

The first workshop was held in Jaime’s Room at the Coconut Creek Recreation Complex, in partnership with The Friendship Journey, a local organization dedicated to creating friendships and free community experiences for friends of all ages and abilities.

Jaime Guttenberg, for whom the room was named, was a skilled dancer, volunteered for The Friendship Journey, and joined DECA her freshman year at Stoneman Douglas. She was 14 years old when she lost her life in the Parkland shooting. She dreamed of becoming a pediatric physical therapist.

With over 77% of people with disabilities currently unemployed, the Douglas DECA team identified the primary barriers as a lack of accessibility and understanding within the career search process.

Career Compass faces these challenges by teaching students essential interview skills, guiding students in exploring various careers, and, most importantly, instilling confidence in every participant.

Its mission is to create a more accessible, equitable, and supportive career search experience for all participants to thrive.

“As a high school teacher, I have also observed students with disabilities and am aware of the high unemployment rates within this underserved population,” said Sharon Cutler, Douglas DECA advisor, adding that Career Compass was created to help bridge this gap by fostering career awareness, confidence, and empowering students with disabilities to explore career pathways and prepare them for future independence, and also having our DECA students who learn these skills through our program be the ‘leaders or helpers’.”

Cutler hopes that, through this experience, DECA students gain empathy, awareness of inclusivity, leadership growth, and a deeper understanding of how business and community service “can work together to create positive economic and social impact”.

Sydni Levi, one of the participants in the first workshop at Jamie’s room, enjoyed learning job skills and employment tips.

“I had so much fun,” said the 25-year-old Coral Springs resident. “My favorite part was practicing interview questions and meeting new people.”

Marvel’s goal for Career Compass extends far beyond a single DECA competition season.

“I am committed to making sure that the connection we’ve built between Marjory Stoneman Douglas DECA and The Friendship Journey remains standing,” Marvel said. “I want to continue hosting these events to empower students with disabilities, helping them build the confidence they need to own their career journeys long after our team graduates.”

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Author Profile

Faran Fagen

Faran Fagen, who teaches high school journalism, graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Journalism degree and from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Education. He's worked at The Palm Beach Post, SunSentinel, and MLB.com. He lives in Coral Springs with his wife and two children. Oh, and his three dogs -- who all think that they're his favorite.