The Choice Group

  Real-world exposure is one of the best ways for students to explore potential careers. Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLEs) provide students with hands-on opportunities to learn from professionals in their desired fields. Recently, one student with a passion for graphic design and distribution had the chance to go behind the scenes of one of the largest tie-dye and graphic t-shirt distributors in the United States—a company that produces designs for Disney, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Fortune 500 companies like Coca-Cola, and legendary rock bands like The Grateful Dead and AC/DC. During the tour, the student asked insightful questions about how intricate digital artwork is transferred onto shirts, how high production demands are met, and how the facility operates day-to-day. Not only did the student get answers, but they also had a chance to walk through the entire production process—from an initial artistic idea to a finished product ready for distribution. They observed ea...

Despite the fact that one in four U.S. adults has a disability, many doctors report feeling unprepared to provide adequate care for this population. Historically, medical education has framed disability as a problem rather than focusing on inclusion, accessibility, and patient-centered care. This lack of training has contributed to negative biases, inaccessible healthcare environments, and disparities in treatment. At institutions like Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, educators are working to change this narrative. A new approach to disability-competent medical training ensures that future physicians gain direct experience and insight into the needs of patients with disabilities. Hands-On Learning for a More Inclusive Future. Medical students at Feinberg are now actively engaging in: ✅ Patient-centered history-taking – Learning to ask about a patient’s disability and functional needs in a respectful and informed manner. ✅ Guest speaker experiences – Hearing first...

Madison was the first client Laura met through her counseling work with The Choice Group when they both volunteered to bag items at a grocery store. The rest is history.  After seeing how well the grocery store event went, Laura and Madison decided to explore additional jobs within the food industry, eventually settling on Outback as an ideal fit for Madison’s first job. She has now maintained employment at Outback for over a year and a half! In her role, Madison has carried out many tasks, starting with food prep at a table in the dining room before the restaurant opened, which gave her a large, quiet workspace. After mastering that task and becoming more comfortable in her new environment, Madison began working in the kitchen alongside other staff. She eventually added bussing and rolling silverware at night to her resume. On slower evenings when bussing tasks are not needed, Madison has even trained other staff on how to do food prep.  Madison continues to add helpful kitch...