Career Preparation

The ultimate goal of transition planning and efforts is to assist students in obtaining gainful employment, whether it is after graduation or college. Career preparation, like graduation and college, begins earlier than you may realize.

Employability skills, also called soft skills, such as interpersonal skills, communication, or critical thinking, are usually weaved throughout education or personal life. Other skills, such as technical or trade skills, are taught through specialized courses or hands-on experiences.

Career preparation includes targeted instruction or experience in the following areas:

• soft skills such as communication or time management
• interview skills
• job search skills
• self-advocacy
• making requests for accommodations
• specialized courses or workshops on trade skills
• certification pathways

Determining a career path and knowing what is required will shape the transition process and various choices.

Know Your Rights

Deaf and hard-of-hearing students entering the workforce need to become familiar with rights and laws that apply to the workplace to be effective at requesting accommodations.