Whats in this Toolkit?
Introduction
Going to college and finding a job that’s meaningful and pays well is challenging for most students, and the added background of a criminal record can make it seem particularly overwhelming. We want you to know that you’re not alone! Each student’s journey is different and no journey is linear. We are here to help make the process of realizing your goals manageable!
Navigating Higher Education and Employment: Resource Toolkit for People Impacted by the Criminal Legal System is a comprehensive, interactive, tool kit and resource hub that walks you through the process of setting and organizing your educational and professional goals.
A couple of notes about the Navigating Higher Education and Employment: Resource Toolkit for People Impacted by the Criminal Legal System :
Most of the contents in this guide are specific to New York State and New York City. Even if you are applying to college or seeking employment outside of New York State or New York City, the topics covered in this toolkit could still be useful for you!
The contents of this guide are outlined into four sequential phases, but we know that the process of going to college and finding employment is not always a linear one. You may need to revisit the same topic at multiple points in your journey, and the guide is here for you to do so!
Connecting with others who have been on this journey can help as you consider the many options open to you. Programs with academic counselors and peer mentors can help you on your journey. Contact the John Jay College Institute for Justice and Opportunity’s College Initiative program via email at justoppinfo@jjay.cuny.edu or complete a College Initiative Expression of Interest Form to get connected to academic counselors and peer mentors who can help throughout this process. In this toolkit you will also find perspectives shared by people who have embarked on their higher education and employment journeys after their experiences with the legal system.
As advocacy related to the criminal legal system and about the lived experiences of people impacted by the criminal legal system receive increasing attention and support, consideration must also be given to the importance of person-first language. Throughout this toolkit, we use language that centers the individual versus language reinforces stereotypes about people with conviction histories. To learn more the importance of language and why words matter, check out the John Jay College Institute for Justice and Opportunity’s Language Guide.
Before You Enroll in College
Before You Enroll in College
What's in this Section?
Before You Enroll in College
Gather Your Documents
Before You Enroll in College
Obtain and Understand What is on Your RAP Sheet
Before You Enroll in College
Choosing the School and Program That's Right for You
Before You Enroll in College
Connect with a Community Based Organization
Enrolling in College
While You’re in College
Preparing for Graduation and Finding Employment
Preparing for Graduation and Finding Employment
What's in this Section?
Preparing for Graduation and Finding Employment
Know Your Rights
Preparing for Graduation and Finding Employment
Review Your Records of Arrest and Prosecution (RAP) Sheet
Preparing for Graduation and Finding Employment
Put Together a Professional Portfolio
Preparing for Graduation and Finding Employment
Gather Your Evidence of Rehabilitation
Preparing for Graduation and Finding Employment
Apply for Certificates of Rehabilitation
Preparing for Graduation and Finding Employment
Prepare for a Background Check
Conclusion
SECTIONBefore You Enroll in College
What's in this Section?
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There are more than 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States. New York State is home to more than 400. Each college offers a countless number of Certificate Programs. As well, as professional, and academic programs for you to choose from.
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For example, there are 25 CUNY colleges in New York City that offer more than 1,400 academic programs. There are 64 SUNY colleges and universities across the state that offer more than 4,000 different undergraduate majors.
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In this section, we will walk you through several important steps to help you prepare to pick the programs and schools that are right for you!
CHAPTERGather Your Documents
No matter what program or college you decide is right for you, you will need to have several documents ready to submit with your application(s). These documents generally include:
- Personal Identification Documents,
- Immunization Records, and
- Educational Records.
We recommend that you gather these documents as early as possible in your journey.
Find a place to store your documents. Finding a place to store these documents will lead to less headaches later down the line! Additionally, it’s important to have hard copies as well as electronic copies for some of these documents. Google Drive, Microsoft One Drive, Drop Box are all good cloud-storage options and worth looking into!
Personal Identification Documents
In general, schools require prospective students to prove their identity. These personal identification documents are also necessary for applying for Financial Aid, Professional or Occupational Licenses, and much more! At minimum we recommend that you have the following documents handy: