Emily Barker
Research Program Coordinator of Career Exploration, Next Steps at Vanderbilt
Staff - Extended
Overview of Interests
Emily Barker is the Research Program Coordinator of Career Exploration for Next Steps at Vanderbilt. She manages the first-year career exploration experiences, including job shadowing, job sampling, career workshops, industry tours, and career research. She also supervises student internships, coordinates job development opportunities, develops registered apprenticeship programs, and teaches courses on career readiness. Emily received her bachelor's degree in Special Education and Child Studies from Vanderbilt University, and she worked as an office assistant with Next Steps while she was a student. Prior to returning to work with Next Steps full-time, she worked as an educational consultant with Transition Tennessee, where she planned statewide virtual transition fairs, coordinated teacher professional development, and supported 15 Tennessee school districts in preparing youth with disabilities for successful transitions to life after high school. She also worked as a high school special education teacher, working primarily with 11th-12th grade students with severe disabilities. Emily is committed to helping young people with disabilities discover their own passions and find ways to infuse these passions into their careers.