OLS 171 - Self-Determination in the Workplace

2 CR

This course supports students in applying self-determination skills within professional and workplace settings. Students learn how to advocate for themselves during the job search and employment process, including interviewing, requesting accommodations, asking for support, and navigating workplace expectations. The course introduces foundational knowledge of employee rights and protections, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), labor laws, unions, and workplace safety (OSHA). Through practical activities, students practice communicating their strengths, building professional relationships, and making informed decisions about workplace disclosure and career pathways. Course is graded Credit/No Credit.

Prerequisite(s): OLS 170

Course Outcomes

Advocate for themselves professionally by communicating needs, accommodations, and requests for support in workplace and interview settings.
Articulate personal strengths and work skills and explain how these contribute to employment readiness and job fit.
Demonstrate effective interviewing and workplace communication skills, including participation in individual and group professional interactions.
Identify and utilize employment and internship resources, including Bellevue College resources and external career platforms.
Build and maintain professional relationships by engaging with key contacts in their personal or professional network.
Explain basic employee rights and workplace protections, including the ADA, general labor laws, unions, and OSHA.
Evaluate workplace disclosure decisions, including potential benefits and challenges related to disclosure in employment.
Connect personal strengths, values, and interests to a career pathway and describe how these support long-term employment goals.

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