Image via Pexels
My brother, Charlie, was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects his motor skills and coordination. While his cognitive abilities are unaffected, he has to live with the challenges of CP every day. Charlie has never let his condition stop him from living life to the fullest; he’s always been determined to find ways to do things for himself, even when they’re more difficult than they would be for someone without CP. For instance, when he was younger, he worked hard to learn how to tie his shoes and brush his teeth by himself. It took him longer than other kids his age, but he was so proud of himself when he finally mastered those tasks. We were all proud of him.
Charlie is always finding new ways to adapt and overcome the obstacles CP puts in his way. He’s an inspiration to everyone who knows him — including me. Seeing him face the challenges of CP with courage and perseverance has taught me never to give up, no matter how difficult something may seem at first. Thanks to Charlie, I know that anything is possible if you set your mind to it, even when the road is difficult.
Like many people with disabilities, Charlie often found it difficult to find a job. While finding employment with a disability may be tough, you can improve your chances of landing a good job with a college degree in business. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Commerce show that a bachelor's or higher degree significantly increases employment prospects for disabled people. Also, numerous companies value disabled employees because of the strength of character and courage needed to succeed with a disability.
Today, Dyslexia Services shares some tips on how you can turn your career dreams come true.
Disability-Friendly Careers in Business
You'll find that many business careers are compatible with your disability. What's more, graduates in business fields are in demand and, according to the Bureau of Labor Career Outlook Report, earn good salaries. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers must make reasonable accommodations to allow qualified disabled employees to perform their work. Disability-friendly business occupations include:
• Accounting
• Financial and management analysts
• Human resources
• Insurance underwriting
• Purchasing
What's important is to consider where your interests lie and the type of career you'd like. Look at a business’s hiring page to get a sense of what roles are out there and what their responsibilities and requirements are. Having some concrete information about what’s available in the job market will help you decide your educational direction.
Disability-Friendly Colleges
Choosing the right college is essential. Ideally, you want to attend a college with a good reputation, but it's crucial to establish if the college offers assistive technologies to help you study. Some colleges have special programs for students with learning disabilities, such as attention deficit and autism disorders, while others accommodate students with physical disabilities. The LD Resources Foundation is a good place to find information about colleges with specific programs for students with learning disabilities. The National Center for College Students with Disabilities offers further information on disability services at colleges and universities.
Getting Your First Job
For many graduates, getting their first entry-level job is difficult, as employers often prefer someone with experience. You can get around this by getting involved in extracurricular activities at college, such as:
• Volunteering: Detail any volunteer work performed and what you did.
• Societies: Highlight the roles you played and leadership positions held.
• Sports and events for the disabled: List your participation in challenges and endurance events.
• College internships: Provide details of paid or unpaid intern work during vacations.
These and other extracurricular activities demonstrate your character and capabilities.
Also, consider creating a LinkedIn profile. Many companies use them to assess prospective employees. Include key information about yourself, your qualifications, activities, and experience. Add a professional photograph. Enhance your profile by building a professional network. You can do this by sending invitations to LinkedIn members with similar interests and to people you know.
Work From Home or Commute
The changes in work patterns mean you may be able to work from home, at least part-time. This reduces the cost and effort of commuting to work. If you need to set aside a designated work area – perhaps by finishing a basement or renovating a room or garage to turn it into an office – make sure you save those receipts since these kinds of home improvements can also increase your appraisal value. Working from home is also an attractive option should you decide to go into business for yourself!
Planning for a Business Career
Taking the initiative to proactively plan your business career helps you achieve your goal of a well-paid job you enjoy. Careful research helps you identify the best career and find a college or university that accommodates your disabilities. Participation in extracurricular activities helps flesh out your LinkedIn profile and impress prospective employees.
If you are the parent of a child with dyslexia, Dyslexia Services is here to help! If you have any questions, please email ruthgrigg2010@gmail.com.
Tanya Lee
コメント