You grow up thinking you will be instinctively drawn to a certain profession, and therefore your path to employment will be relatively straightforward… as if the map to a career is a straight line.
Listen, that’s just not the case for the vast majority of people, with or without visual impairments.
Finding the "right" career usually takes testing the waters in a variety of career fields; accumulating a plethora of job skills in volunteer work, part-time work as a student or young adult, and full-time work; and even learning through failure!
That’s no straight line — it’s more like a cob web.
But you know what, that’s not a bad thing. Those early work experiences are not a waste of time.
Not at all. They enable you to get your feet wet in work and learn your strengths, weaknesses, interests, work values, desires, and boundaries the hard way.
I think over time and experience we also learn there is no "right" or "perfect" career for us. Instead, we recognize what skills we enjoy polishing, and then choose a career where we are willing to really put in the work to grow.
Do you know what skills you enjoy polishing? If so, it’s time to explore careers based on your interests.
If not, it’s time to get your feet wet and learn through work experiences.
Where to Start
Start with career exploration and Explore Careers for Job Seekers Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.
Browse jobs that you’re interested by exploring the Career Clusters.
Learn from other workers and read Stories of People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired Succeeding at Work and Life.
Develop your skills through skills training, volunteer experience, or internships.