QOL-34. CAREER FAIR AND RESOURCE EXPO: ADVOCATING FOR THE LONG TERM SUCCESS OF BRAIN TUMOR SURVIVORS

• Brain tumor survivors show five-fold relative odds increase in unemployment compared to other pediatric cancer survivors
• Between 30-40 survivors attended each annual event
• Initially, no previously unemployed patients obtained new employment at 3- and 6-month follow-ups, though all took applications
• No survivors completed on-site interviews, finding them overwhelming
• After adding pre-event resume building and interview preparation, outcomes improved: two survivors obtained employment (still employed at 1 year) and five survivors advocated successfully for disability services in college

Limitations

The report does not provide comparison data with a control group, making it unclear whether improvements resulted from the intervention or other factors. The sample size and demographic details of participants are not fully specified, and longer-term follow-up beyond 1 year is not reported.

Abstract

Abstract Pediatric cancer survivors have increased unemployment and lower educational attainment rates. This is most significant in brain tumor survivors who show five-fold relative odds increase in unemployment over other pediatric cancer survivors. The long-term effects of brain tumor treatment potentiate the difficulty with work and school reintegration seen in the broader Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) population. To address this, our team designed an annual job fair for AYA Neuro-Oncology survivors. Vendors were invited representing disability advocacy groups, legal services, scholarship organizations, and employers with strong disability services, several who offered on-site interviews. Additionally, brain tumor survivors served as inspirational speakers for the event. Between thirty to forty survivors have attended each event. Pre- and post-surveys, as well as 3- and 6- month follow up was obtained. Universally, the day was engaging and motivating, both for survivors and staff, and stimulated conversation for pursuing career or academic success within families and the care team. While all the patients took applications, none of the patients completed the on-site interviews, finding them overwhelming. Even at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups following the first event, the survivors continued to be at varying levels of application completion; no one who was previously unemployed attained new employment. This improved after pre-event meetings were held with survivors to participate in resume building and interview preparation. Currently, two survivors obtained employment and are still employed at 1 year and five survivors were able to advocate for their disabilities services in college with help of a non-profit legal assistant.