Guest Blog By Patrick Young, Able USA
Patrick Young is an educator and activist. He believes people with disabilities must live within a unique set of circumstances–the outside world often either underestimates them or ignores their needs altogether. He created Able USA to offer helpful resources to people with disabilities and to provide advice on navigating various aspects of life as a person with disabilities.
Many young adults with disabilities feel discouraged when they consider their future career possibilities. There’s no doubt that it can be harder for people with disabilities to succeed in the workforce when employers have been historically hostile towards those who are not able-bodied. These tips will help you start a business career while taking care of your needs.
Use LinkedIn for Networking
Young adults with disabilities may find that in-person networking events are not always accessible and accommodating. It can be difficult to find opportunities to network in person when so many networking spaces are inhospitable to those with disabilities. Thankfully, digital platforms like LinkedIn make it easier to cultivate professional connections online. When you sit down to create a profile, you’ll want to add an appropriate photo, fill out your complete professional history, and start sharing positive status updates. When recruiters, hiring managers, or other connections reach out to you, try to respond promptly!
Why Pursue Business?
Young adults with disabilities do not have to limit themselves to specific fields or industries, but certain career paths may be a better fit depending on your personal needs. For example, going into a business career will help you master a wide range of transferable skills, earn a high salary, become a confident communicator, and become eligible for lots of exciting job openings.
Degrees With High Salary Potential
A business career can be very broad – you do not necessarily have to earn a degree in business if you want to go down this path. Lots of degrees will give you the tools you need to build a business career. Glassdoor states that related degrees like finance, accounting, management information systems, economics, human resources, and public relations are among the majors with the best salary potential. No matter what you choose to study, make sure to connect with your college’s disability services office so that you can get the support you need to complete your coursework.
Applying for Internships
In order to get your foot in the door of any industry, you’ll want to get some experience as an intern under your belt. First, it’s a smart idea to identify employers who genuinely invest in their employees with disabilities. You can check in with your college’s career services department to find out if they have connections with any companies. Keep in mind that in many circumstances, you are entitled to having a support person with you as a form of accommodation in corporate settings. The right company will be ready to meet this accommodation for your internship.
Getting Your First Job Offer
You can use your internship as a sort of testing ground. Did this company fully provide for all of your reasonable accommodations? Or would you prefer to work for a different type of employer? These aren’t always easy questions to answer. Disability Horizons also recommends seeking out disability-confident employers by checking out specialist job boards and looking for companies that have earned accreditations and awards for their inclusive policies.
You can leverage your professional network both online and off to learn about new job openings. If you know someone who works at a company you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Starting Your Own Business
Perhaps you’d like to be your own boss and open a business. When starting a new company, the first step is to write a business plan. This detailed document will serve as a roadmap for your new venture, outlining all of the necessary steps for establishing and growing your company. When writing your business plan, consider your business structure, funding needs, and financial projections. Additionally, be sure to think carefully about who your target customers are going to be, and how you will reach them with your products or services.
Take some time to put together a realistic budget so that you can evaluate whether or not your business idea is actually feasible. If you need to take out a loan, download and review your credit report to determine if you need to take steps to raise your credit score.
Young adults with disabilities may be worried about finding an employer who is eager to accommodate them and give them a launchpad for their careers. Thankfully, a career in business can be quite versatile. With these tips, you’ll be ready to apply to college programs, seek out employers who are legitimately disability-friendly, and find your niche in the workforce. You can even start your own business!
If you’re a person with a disability, the Accessible Adulthood team can work with you to help you achieve your goals and maintain independence.
