How Young Adults With Disabilities Can Forge a Future in Business by Lisa Walker
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How Young Adults With Disabilities Can Forge a Future in Business
If you live with a disability, you may find yourself juggling career options that both respect your limits and do not perceive your disabilities as a problem in the workplace. Finding a lucrative business career is attainable for young adults with disabilities. To land your dream job, here are some tips presented by Brick and Mortar Detroit.
Start With What You Have
Nowadays, employers put a value on skills over experience. According to a survey, employers look for the following skills in their employees:
Time management
Complex problem-solving
Networking
Teamwork
Digital knowledge
If you are a natural problem-solver and creative thinker and know how to lead others, you could be on your way to a lucrative career in business. Reach out in your local community for resources specifically geared towards young people with disabilities.
If you want to become an entrepreneur, there are programs available for adults with disabilities. The Business Development Program helps socially and economically disadvantaged people, providing access to government contracts and education. The PASS Program is a federal program that helps with a variety of tasks to create a disability-friendly work environment.
Continue Your Education
Sharpen your business skills by returning to school. An MBA program can enhance your skills in the following areas:
Marketing
Economics
Corporate finance
Strategic planning
Capital management
When choosing the area you want to receive your MBA, the most lucrative majors include marketing, accounting, international business, finance, and logistics. There are pros and cons to each area of focus, so consult with an advisor to find the one that best fits your interests.
There is only so much time in the day to work or go to school. For some young people with disabilities, their condition can impact the time they have to spend going back and forth to classes. Earning an online degree provides you with the flexibility necessary to balance work, family, school, and your health. An online degree also provides you with more opportunities to participate in class discussions. Online forums allow for a deeper understanding of classmates' viewpoints.
If you struggle with balancing school and family time, start with a weekly calendar. Flesh out every important event for each day. Include class time, meal times, appointments, and other commitments.
Nail Your First Gig
Once you receive your degree, it's time to get an internship or other job with a company. To find a position, start with job resource sites. Some have millions of job listings. Also, visit your college's career resource center. Often, businesses post positions for student employees. If you have a specific company in mind, consider contacting the company directly. When there are no open positions, you can write a letter of interest. In some cases, an employer will call you if a position opens up.
To score a job, research everything about the company you apply to. Read news releases and reviews and talk to friends and family members about their perception of the company. When you have an idea of the type of person the company wants, you can embody that personality to show that you are someone of value. With an MBA, you could get a career as anything from a business administrator or operations director to a facilities manager.
If you are a person with disabilities, nothing is holding you back from achieving a dream job in the business industry. Polish your creativity, problem-solving skills, and leadership ability with the help of an MBA program. With the right education, skills, and connections, you can find a lucrative business career.
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