Whether you are searching for your first career or looking for a new one, it is important to find a career that helps you earn enough money to meet your needs, that you can do well, and that is satisfying to you. It is also important to develop your skills in new ways. It is great to find a job that you enjoy doing, but it is also important to think about how what you are doing now can prepare you for your long-term goals.

Even if you have a long way to go to reach your goals, thinking about your long-term career can help you focus on your current job search. But you don’t have to know exactly where you want to end up. Each job you have will help you learn more about your interests, acquire new skills, and develop your long-term goals.

Thinking carefully about the skills and interests you have now is a good way to begin your search for a satisfying job. The tools below can help you get a clear picture of your interests and skills.

Discovery: Understand Yourself

Self-Assessment/Personal Inventory

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) has an excellent guide called Finding a Job that is Right for You: A Practical Approach to Looking for a Job as a Person with a Disability that has helpful information for each step of your job search.

It begins with a series of quizzes and worksheets to help you learn more about what is important to you, your interests and strengths, and what you need from a job. Each worksheet has a slightly different focus:

• The Job Priority List helps you list the things that interest you the most and the job features that are most important to you.
• The Overcoming Obstacles Worksheet helps you anticipate challenges you may find when looking for work. Thinking of solutions to problems that you might run into before you get started can make your job search easier and more effective.
• The Personal Inventory Worksheet helps you begin building a resume by organizing your experiences to show your interests and strengths.

Self-Assessment Resources

There are many tools available to help you learn more about your likes, dislikes, and how your personality fits with different work settings and occupations. Different assessment tools work differently and focus on different things. A list of these tools is available at My Perfect Resume, which describes how different assessments work so that you can find one that you think might be useful to you. Some of the assessments will cost money but others are free.

Another great place for self-assessment tools is the U. S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.org. The site's Career Exploration page includes a section on self-assessments and a discussion of why they are helpful to jobseekers.

Talking to a Career Counselor

It can be hard to choose from all the different self-assessment tools. It can also be difficult to know what to do with the results once you have them. A career counselor can help you choose the right test, understand what the test results mean, and help you get started with your career planning. Often these services are at a low cost or no cost to you.

You can find a career counselor at a local county human services department or at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). To apply for services, call or visit a DVR office.

Your Individual Needs

Interests and skills are important when deciding what work you might like to do, but it is also important to know what you need your job to do for you. A good way to explore the financial and other benefits you need from a job is to complete the Personal Needs Assessment Worksheet available from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN).

Reasonable Accommodation

If your disability makes aspects of your job difficult, you may want to ask for a reasonable accommodation. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are usually done that leads to an equal employment opportunity for you as a person with a disability.

Reasonable accommodations can include modifications to the facility, changes in the job process, and assistive technology allowing you to meet the expected job performance standards.

You usually start an accommodation request, either verbally or in writing. Get information on how to put your request in writing.

If you have developed strategies or used equipment to successfully accommodate your disability, then you may want to share this with your employer. However, if you have not needed an accommodation before and do not know where to start, contact the Job Accommodation Network (JAN).

JAN is a free service that offers:

• Accommodation experts to guide you through the accommodation process.
• Publications with accommodation suggestions for different situations.
• The Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR), which asks you about your situation and then offers accommodation suggestions.

Finding Careers That Match Your Strengths and Interests

Once you have a clearer picture of your skills and interests, you’ll need to figure out what type of work might suit you. The sites below have tools that help match your interests with possible jobs. They also explain what types of education and training you may need to prepare for the career you are interested in. Even if you already have a job or career in mind, it is a good idea to explore the sites below. They may suggest a career you hadn’t thought of, but matches your interests.

• The U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net Online offers careers search tools. O*Net lets you look for jobs that use a specific skill, tool, or software. It also allows you to browse groups of similar occupations so you can learn about jobs that are related to the job you are interested in.
• CareerConnect, from the American Printing House for the Blind, lets you browse careers by field or interest area. It also allows you to explore specific careers and offers details about the knowledge, interests, skills, and abilities needed.
• CareerOneStop has an education and training page that includes the education requirements and training needs of different occupations.
• Although it is aimed at high school students, Exploring Career Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics helps you use your current interests to find and explore different careers.
• The Resource Library at University of Colorado’s Career Services has many resources and fact sheets to help you plan and pursue a career.
• Connecting Colorado lets you search for jobs through a job database, post your resume, and apply for specific jobs.
• Careers and the disABLED magazine has in-depth articles and information on career options.

What Does the Future Look Like for the Type of Job You Are Seeking?

Before you become too focused on a specific career, it is good to understand how easy or hard it is to find a job in that area.

CareerOneStop has information on:

• Industries with the Fastest Growth
• Occupations with the Largest Employment
• The Highest Paying Occupations
• Wages and Employment Trends by Occupation, Job, and State
• Wages by Education Level

In addition to resources for exploring careers and job searching, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has information on occupations that are expected to:

• Suffer the largest wage and employment declines
• Experience the largest growth in total number of jobs
• Grow the fastest

The University of Colorado offers Salary and Wage Statistics. It also links to four other websites for comparing salaries:

• Salary Calculator Center helps you do a detailed search of possible salaries. It includes questions about the state you want to work in, the type of job, and your levels of experience and education.
• The PayScale Salary Survey lets you do a simple search or something more detailed.
• The BestPlaces Cost of Living Calculator is helpful if you are considering jobs in different cities.

By looking at websites that list jobs, you can see the types of jobs that are in demand in your state or local area. You can find local job openings at Monster.com and Indeed.com.

The best way to explore a career that interests you is to talk to people who do the work or find a way to try the work yourself. Start by talking to people about the career you are interested in. Ask if they know anyone who works in the field. As you talk about your interests with more people, you learn more about the career.

You also make valuable contacts who can help you get experience in the field through apprenticeships, internships, volunteering, working with a mentor, and job shadowing. When it comes time to seek employment, these early contacts will all be valuable to speak with about possible positions. Learn more about these in the Building Your Skills section of this article.

Job fairs are also a great way to learn about career options. They bring many employers together in one place at the same time. They are a good place to apply for jobs or learn about which industries are hiring and what types of work are available. Career One Stop has a page on job fairs and what to expect. To find a job or career fair near you:

• Contact a Workforce Center near you or check the Calendar of Workforce Center Job Fairs and Events.
• Use jobfairsin.com to find a fair in Colorado.
• Go to Career Days hosted by local schools and community colleges, where you can talk to a variety of employers and learn about different industries.

Traditional Work Options

Full-Time or Part-Time Employment

CareerOneStop.org lets you see the types of jobs that are available that match your interests, and the state of Colorado has a good list of job search resources, as well as a Calendar of Job Fairs and Events. In Colorado, you can get local help at your nearest Workforce Center.

Connecting Colorado is a website where you can search for jobs in Colorado, post your resume, and apply for specific jobs. The search feature lets you choose from more than 20 job types in more than 20 industries.

Ability Connection Colorado's Employment Works program helps people with disabilities with their job search

USAJOBS is the federal government’s official job site. It lists resources for jobseekers with disabilities and information on federal employment for people with disabilities.

CareerCircle.com is another national job search website with information for jobseekers with disabilities.

Retirementjobs.com is a national job search website for people 50 years and older that lists jobs in Colorado.

Self-Employment

Self-employment is an option for people with disabilities who are good at planning and organizing and have the discipline to work for themselves. Being self-employed lets you be your own boss, create work hours that fit your needs, and decide for yourself how to handle disability-related and access-related barriers, such as transportation issues, inaccessible work environments, and the need for personal assistance.

Starting a business can be intimidating, but there are people who can help you. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) offers individualized technical assistance, consulting, and mentoring services to people with disabilities, family members, and service providers. JAN consultants handle each inquiry on a case-by-case basis, offering expertise and referrals for all aspects of the planned business, including help with business planning, financing strategies, marketing research, disability-specific programs, income supports and benefits planning, e-commerce, independent contracting, home-based business options, and small business initiatives for disabled veterans. You can call JAN at 1-800-526-7234 or 1-800-232-9675, or contact them by TTY at 1-877-781-9403 (TTY). Get more information about entrepreneurship from JAN.

The Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities has an extensive self-assessment process for people with disabilities who are considering self-employment.

Temporary Employment

Temporary employment can be a great way to gain experience and start a career. If you are returning to work after some time out of the workforce, getting work through a temp agency can help you re-enter the workforce, gain new skills, and re-orient yourself to the job market. If you have been out of the workforce for a while, temporary work is also an easy way to update your resume and add recent work history.

If you sign up with a temp agency or staffing service, they match you with short-term or temporary-to-permanent positions. At first, you may not think of temporary work as a good option, but it can have several benefits:

• It lets you learn new skills and earn money while you look for a full-time position.
• You may be able to get more flexible hours or working conditions to fit your personal situation.
• It can help you gain work experience, develop skills, get training, and make new contacts.
• Perhaps most importantly, temporary work allows you to check out an employer or an occupation before making a commitment to training, a particular career, or an employer.

CareerOneStop has links related to employment agencies and temp work in Colorado.

Self-Designed Work Options

Customized Employment

Customized employment is when an employer modifies a job description so they can better use your talents to support the employer’s work. It takes into account your skills, interests, and abilities, and the work conditions, including the job supports you need to be successful. Customized employment works by matching your strengths, abilities, and interests with the needs of an employer. This allows for flexibility and makes the relationship between employee and employer more personal, making a better match for both employer and employee.

Customized employment can give you a chance to discover a job that suits your skills and lets you make an essential contribution to a business. It also boosts the productivity of the business by finding job candidates who are good matches to fill positions.

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) offers information, resources, and guidance on its Customized Employment page.

Telecommuting or Telework

Many people like to telecommute, and it can have special advantages for people with disabilities. Telecommuting reduces or does away with travel and commuting, often allows for a more flexible work schedule, and makes it possible for people with significant mobility issues to work.

The National Telecommuting Institute (NTI) has a program that matches available opportunities with people with disabilities who want home-based work.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has a fact sheet discussing working at home and telework as a reasonable accommodation.

Education and Training

The career you’re interested in may require more education or training than you currently have. It is also likely that once you begin your career, you will want to learn new skills, so you can advance in your career, accept new responsibilities, and earn more money.

A good place to start learning about opportunities is the Education and Training page of CareerOneStop.

Apprenticeships, Internships, Volunteering, Mentors, and Job Shadowing

As mentioned in the Explore Your Options section of this article, there are several excellent ways to learn about different jobs or industries when you are beginning a new career.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer a structured way to learn a skilled occupation, craft, or trade. During the apprenticeship, you gain skills through a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction. Get information on state-approved apprenticeship programs in Colorado.

CareerOneStop has information about apprentice programs on their Apprenticeship page.

Apprenticeships.gov offers an apprenticeship fact sheet and an Apprenticeship Job Finder that lets you search for apprenticeship programs near you.

Internships

Internships are short-term work experiences that allow you to gain practical skills and learn about an occupation in a real-world setting. Many schools and colleges have extensive programs to help you find an internship.

Here are some other ways to find internships:

• The Workforce Recruitment Program was specifically developed for students and recent graduates with disabilities.
• Entry Point is an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) program offering internships for students with disabilities in science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and some fields of business.
• Internship websites not specifically focused on people with disabilities include InternJobs.com and USAJobs.gov, which offers information on federal government job opportunities.

Volunteering

Volunteering lets you contribute to an organization while gaining new skills and experiences. You can gain an understanding of a wide range of careers, particularly in nonprofit and medical settings. Because volunteering lets you show your skills and abilities, it can lead to a job offer. Volunteer Match can help you find ways to volunteer in your area.

There are also state and national volunteer programs that offer opportunities to gain experience. Visit AmeriCorps to learn more about these programs.

Working with a Mentor

Mentors are people who guide someone interested in a career similar to theirs. A mentor can help you understand what it takes to enter a field, offer help while you get training and search for a job, and give you support and advice once you are working.

Job Shadowing

Job shadowing means following someone while they work. This allows you to experience the day-to-day reality of working in a particular job or industry without having to commit to the job or any needed education and training.

Self-Advocacy and Job-Seeking Skills

Work is a significant part of your life and it is important that you make your own decisions about what type of work you want to do. Being a self-advocate means speaking up and being in control of decisions about your life.

If your career is interesting and satisfying, it gives you a sense of purpose, enjoyment, and self-confidence. The best way to find satisfying work is to focus on your interests and the type of work you enjoy doing.

Self-advocacy also means improving your job-seeking skills so that you are more in charge of your job search. Focus on core issues first, such as improving your resume, writing a clear cover letter, and taking advantage of chances to meet people who might help you with your job search. Other important skills are how to prepare for and do well in an interview.

CareerOneStop.org has articles on job-seeking skills. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) also has a page that discusses how to prepare for a job interview.

If you need another person to help you with your job search, you can apply to work with a counselor at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Find a local DVR office.

On 211colorado.org, you can find more organizations that offer career counseling and employment support.

Disability-Related Job Resources on the Web

The Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) has a list of programs and services to help with your job search. DVR also has a list of partners in the government, nonprofit, and private sectors.

The Colorado Office of Employment First has job listings and other career services on its website, and serves people with disabilities in Colorado. Another disability-related career site is CareerCircle.com.

DisABLED Person allows you to connect with future employers by posting your resume and finding detailed information about potential jobs.

The Workforce Recruitment Program helps connect college students and recent graduates with disabilities with federal and private-sector jobs.

Colorado Career Resources on the Web

My Colorado Journey is a free state resource that helps you create a plan to reach your career and education goals. It includes a guided process that focuses on actions you will take to reach milestones and your final goals. Topics range from career pathways to financial education.

Connecting Colorado lets you search for jobs, post your resume, and apply for specific jobs. The search feature lets you choose from more than 20 job types and more than 20 industries.

Colorado Workforce Centers

Colorado Workforce Centers provide a variety of free services that can help you with your job search or career planning.

Workforce Center staff can help you:

• Learn about any special services that might be available to you
• Use online job banks and other employment websites, such as the Colorado Office of Employment First
• Give you advice about local employers that are hiring
• Teach you the basics of conducting a job search, and
• Help you with your resume.

Workforce Centers have office equipment to help you with your job search, including:

• Assistive technology
• Telephones
• Photocopy machines
• Computers with internet access
• Printers, and
• Fax machines.

Workforce Center resources can help you with tasks like:

• Searching for a job
• Writing resumes and cover letters
• Interviewing effectively, and
• Finding out which industries and jobs are expected to offer good prospects for the future.

Find a Workforce Center near you.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation services offer counseling, training, job skills, and job placement services. Vocational Rehabilitation is a term for programs that help people with disabilities become employed. In Colorado, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) offers these services to people who qualify.

DVR can help you get training or other services you need to return to work, enter a new line of work, or get a job for the first time. Their services are carefully chosen to match your personal needs. You and your counselor work together closely to set goals and then develop a plan to help you reach them.

Being able to use DVR services is based mostly on whether you have a physical or mental disability that makes it difficult to prepare for, get, or keep work. If you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you should qualify. Other people with disabilities who do not get SSI or SSDI may also qualify.

Check with your local office if you have any questions.

Blind and Low Vision Services (BLVS)

If you have significant vision or hearing loss, the Blind and Low Vision Services (BLVS) program can help you prepare for, find, and keep a job, and live as independently as possible. BLVS is a program of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).

The exact services you get depend on your needs. They can include:

• Career Counseling and Guidance
• Job Development and Placement
• Employment Training
• Assistive Technology
• Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind
• Orientation and Mobility Training
• Instruction in Braille

To see what services you should get, BLVS staff will look at your current needs and abilities. They will ask about your experience with:

• Orientation and mobility
• Adaptive communication
• Assistive technology
• Daily living skills
• Low vision resources (such as using magnification devices)

For more information and to apply for BLVS services, contact the nearest office of the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.