Career

Most students expect to work after college graduation. However, your job search shouldn't begin when you graduate. Career planning and preparation should occur throughout your college studies.

It takes the average college graduate three to six months to secure employment after graduation. You need a career seeking strategy and a little experience to stand out.

As a future employee, a college student with a disability faces unique challenges. Like other students, you need to find a way to meet the specific qualifications of the desired job. You also need to demonstrate that you have transferable skills - in other words, skills you've acquired through education and previous work experiences that can transfer to a new employment situation.

How Can You Get Started?

To get started, use the CAREERS acronym:

C is for Careers.
Think about what interests you. Be imaginative, then narrow it down.

A is for Academics.
Determine which academic programs best suit your career goals.

R is for Research
Research careers that spark your interests, maximize your strengths, and minimize your weaknesses.

EE is for Experiential Education.
Practice job search skills. Apply for internships. Ask for informational interviews and try other work-based learning opportunities.

RS is for Relevant Skills.
Use on-the-job experience to learn practical "real world" skills. Apply what you've learned in school to the workplace. Test which accommodations work best for you.

Careers Resources

Careers

  • Career finder - a questionnaire that creates a list of jobs for you to explore based on your interests and skills.
  • Career path - take a quiz to see what job may be right for you.
  • Careers after college - take a career quiz and browse career profiles.
  • Explore career options - learn about occupations, explore industries, consider options.
  • ITCareerPaths - a site where you can learn what kinds of technology careers are in demand, what those careers are like, and how to contact employers who are looking for individuals with your set of skills.

Academics

  • Assess yourself - identify your accomplishments and take assessments to find a career that uses your strengths.
  • Gain skills - Identify your education and training needs - resources to help you identify the skills you need to meet your career goals.
  • Skills search - find an occupation based on the skills you plan to learn in college.
  • Tools and technology - learn about the tools and technology you may need to know how to use in your future occupation.

Research

  • Brain Track - research education requirements, pay range, and number of jobs available in careers of interest.
  • Career videos  - explore what it's like working in specific occupations.
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook - learn about your prospective career, including training or education needed, expected earnings and job prospects, what the job entails, and possible working conditions.
  • Research employers - compare and contrast specific companies.

Experiential Education

Relevant Skills