Career Advice
As a person with a disability or chronic medical condition, it is important to have a good look at your interests, passions, talents and skills as well as to consider the impact of your disability on your ability to study or to work.
Research possibilities
Before making any decisions about your career, it is important to think about and research which career you would eventually like to work in. Doing this now will help you to make the best decisions later. There are many people who can help you with this process so you don't have to do it by yourself. Talking to career advisors, other people with disabilities or chronic medical conditions, people working in the career you are interested in will help with your career direction, which will evolve over the course of your life.
Don't let your disability stop you from following your interests. Educational institutions and employers are required by law to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities; however, you will need to be able to meet the inherent requirements of the course or the job. As well, advances in assistive technology are making it possible for people with disabilities to pursue careers that would not have been possible a generation ago. So open yourself up to the possibilities!
Where to get careers advice
Besides talking to careers advisers, those already in the industry you are interested in, other people with disabilities or chronic health conditions, family and friends, it's important to know that at universities and TAFEs, the disability support staff (who also work with people with chronic medical conditions) are always happy to meet with prospective students,
There are also many online resources:
Career information for people with a disability or chronic medical condition
Career Moves
This portal aims to help young people with a disability successfully move from school to further study, work or other programs. It has been developed with the advice of key experts, teachers, parents and young people.
Career Tips
Developed by EDGE Employment Solutions Inc, Perth, WA, for people with disabilities who are in their final years of school, commencing or undertaking vocational education and training (VET) studies, or university studies, or have recently graduated.
Careers for Graduates with Disability
This website has a downloadable handbook which includes information about how to effectively and confidently deal with issues related to disclosing disability, negotiate work place adjustments and flexible work practices with an employer, and information about anti-discrimination legislation covering disability employment
Targeted towards young people
Jobguide
The Job Guide is updated every year, is written for a year 10 audience and includes hundreds of occupational profiles.
Year 12 - What next?
A guide to help Year 12 students plan their post-school education and training.
General
Careers Online
Provides career information in areas such as resume writing, job vacancies, job guides, new apprenticeships, defence careers and quizzes to assist you to choose a career.
Graduate Careers Australia
Information about uni graduate careers, including industry descriptions, required qualifications, and likely job prospects.
MyFuture
Australia's Career Information Service, a joint initiative of Commonwealth, State & Territory governments. Allows exploration of future career options based on personal strengths and preferences.
Advocate for yourself - think about disclosure
It is important for you to develop your self advocacy skills so you can speak clearly about the impact of your disability or chronic medical condition on your study or work, as well as to ask for what you need and to give feedback on adjustments that may be provided.
Disclosure is a personal decision and what you want to disclosure about yourself may change depending upon what situation you are in and the impact of your disability on that particular situation. More information can be found in the disclosure section of this website.
