Preparing for your Future & Job Exploration


Video Transcript:

We've already covered the first three things to consider when it comes to planning for your future. Now let's move on to the fourth. The fourth is all about how to plan for your future job and career. In this section, we'll talk about job exploration. Which is basically learning about what types of jobs are out there. Work-based learning, getting some practical job experiences, and work readiness training and making sure that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to go to work. We'll explore each of these topics in depth next. 

Let's start with job exploration and job exploration counseling. When you think of counseling, you might imagine a formal meeting where you're sitting across from your counselor and they're advising you, but that's not exactly what job exploration counseling has to look like. The conversation can actually start at home. Ask your family members about their work and what they do for a living learn about their jobs and what their day-to-day looks like. No need to be shy, ask them what they like or dislike about their particular job. Try to learn the ins and outs of what it is they do. This part of job exploration is just a conversation. You could even have a list of questions that you ask family members about their work. Your school might even have a template for you. It doesn't have to be with pen and paper, you can do it on the computer, but having some guide can help facilitate the conversation. Having these conversations will help you decide what best interests to you, and of course you can always talk to your counselor at school. In addition to having these conversations with your family members. This is all to help you to start to think about the possible jobs that interest you and are available to you, ways to engage in job exploration and learn what jobs and types of careers out there. Being deaf, blind, or DeafBlind, it can be easy to miss out on incidental conversations that people around you are having. Perhaps your family thinks that their conversations about work don't pertain to you. You'll have to self-advocate in those moments to be included in the discussion. Let them know what you want to learn about their work experiences. You might even be able to visit a family member's workplace and shadow them at work. You'll get to see what it's like to work in an office or maybe a factory. You'll actually get to see what it's like to go to work. Also let them know that you'd like to research other opportunities to maybe visit work sites or have other conversations about what others do. You can ask your parents to ask their friends if they're willing to talk to you about what it is they do for work, and maybe they can bring you onsite for a visit too. This way, you have the opportunity to visit multiple work sites and gain more work experience. Your high school or college might also have a job fair. Usually different employers will all come under one roof and set up their respective booths at a job fair. You can browse the different booths and each company will give you an overview about what they do. They'll usually have promotional materials you can take a look at too. This is a good time to ask any questions you might have and see if you'd be a good fit for that environment. Some of you might already have your mind made up about what it is you'd like to do. Maybe you really want to be a computer programmer, but some of you might not have your mind made up yet, and that's okay too. A job fair is a perfect time to explore what job and career options are open to you. In this country we have so many possible career options at a job fair. You might just discover something that peaks your interest. It all comes down to you. It's up to you to be assertive, ask questions, learn more about different jobs, seek and go to different job fairs. Only you can decide what path it is you'd like to go down. 

Our next topic to cover is work-based learning. We just wrapped up the conversation on job exploration, work based learning is where you actively learn about what careers and opportunities are out there that might interest you. Let's say that you do find something that seems like a good fit, perhaps computer programming. This is where work-based learning comes into play. You might go to an office and see what it actually is that a computer programmer does and you get a feel for what it would be like to be a computer programmer. Once there, you might realize, yes, this is everything I thought it would be. Alternatively, you might discover that it's actually not what you expected and it's ultimately not a career you'd like to pursue, and that's perfectly okay. It's time to start looking for more opportunities. Work-based learning is the perfect way to try out different jobs and careers that interest you to see if you actually like it. You can also test out different programs and services to see if they're the right fit for you. 

Next, I'll give you some examples, so that you can research your specific state and see exactly what it has to offer. I want to emphasize the importance of taking advantage of work-based experiences, check and see if your school offers summer internship programs and opportunities. Work-based experiences help you in developing work-based skills. You'll learn how to communicate on the job, how to ask for time off, how to inform your supervisor you are sick and need to leave - all these requests fall under the umbrella of communication, an essential work skill. These experiences will also help you start to develop self-advocacy skills. Before getting out there on your own, you might have been receiving a lot of help and support from your family, but on the job, you'll have to learn how to advocate for yourself and ask for the things you need. This also might be the first time you're working alongside an adult. Remember, you won't have the job down pat right away. It'll take time to learn the ropes. There might be programs and services available to you that will provide you with on the job instruction and support as necessary. There are also work readiness classes available that might automatically build in a work-based experience. And sometimes a job is just a job. At times it might feel a little boring or robotic, and other times you might really enjoy it. That's normal. HKNC has work-based training programs available. HKNC can provide you with training and work-based experiences. Your work-based experience might be housed within HKNC or out in the surrounding community, so you have the option to come to HKNC or stay in your state and find a program closer to you. You can also try contacting your local VR office or blind services or deaf services to see what opportunities there are in your state. 

Our last topic in this section is work readiness training. We don't mean specific skills necessary for the type of work you will be doing. Rather, the general skills you need to be ready for work, so that you can be independent and ready to enter the workforce. There are many different trainings and programs available to you and you can choose what best meets your need. You might need mobility or travel training so you can travel to and from, and within your place of work. This type of training might include learning how to use your cane or using public transportation, could be braille training. You might learn how to use specific technology or learn how to read braille. You also Might learn how to navigate the social aspect of work as a DeafBlind person. Other trainings focus on your financial situation. You'll learn how to deposit and withdraw funds from your account and be in control of your own finances. All of these training sessions seek to make you a more independent individual who is ready for work. To find these types of training programs, contact your local VR office. Your school might also offer similar programs, maybe in conjunction with your local VR office. There are also summer rehab programs that might take place in your community. HKNC also has programs you could take advantage of. State agencies also offer their own services, which might fall under the blind services agency. There are various camps that might be of interest to you as well. One example of a work readiness training program is HKNC's M-Power program. In this mobility training, a specialist would teach you how to use public transportation and communicate using communication cards. A vision service specialists could work with you on how to budget and account for your finances, even if you can't see. This is just a taste of the various work readiness trainings available to you. No matter the program, the goal is for you to become independent. This way, you can enter the workforce without having to rely on family and friends. Having independence might even allow you to live alone, but it hinges on the trainings you take advantage of. 

Independent living skills can mean a whole host of things. For this training, I'll break it down into four categories. Each category represents an important consideration for your future. The first category is travel. Can you travel independently using public transportation? Do you feel confident and safe while traveling? If not, perhaps you need training to improve your travel knowledge and confidence. Time management is another important consideration. Do you wake up in the morning on your own to get ready for school or do you rely on a family member to come and wake you? If you're currently relying on others, this is a great time to learn how to set an alarm and get up on your own. There are many different types of alarms you can use. The alarm can be attached to a flashing light, a bed shaker, or a speaker with a low or high pitched tone. You can identify what works best for you. The goal is for you to be in control of your own time and wake up at the right time, without relying on someone else, being able to set and follow a schedule also falls under time management. All these small life skills are necessary for work down the road. Home management is the next consideration. Are you able to take care of your space independently? Can you clean your home? Do you cook? Can you cook for yourself and others? Are you able to find your own snacks and beverages? Being able to care for and clean your home, in addition to being able to cook for yourself is all part of home management. If you're not completely there yet, you can get training to improve, so that you can be more independent. The fourth consideration is communication. Communication is an essential life skill, and while you might be comfortable communicating with your friends and family, how are you at communicating with the public? In general, you may not have developed strategies for new encounters. You might even feel shy and not know how to initiate new conversations. This is another opportunity for you to be able to improve your ability to communicate with people who don't sign, and those people who you'll meet out in the community. Communication is a key work readiness skill that will be very important for your future.

______________________________

Resources: Exploring Possible Career Options

You can also learn more about various careers and jobs online. Here are a few websites that will assist you with identifying possible areas that may be a good fit for you.