This blog post was written by Ed Carter of Able Futures. Check him out at https://ablefutures.org/ for all your financial literacy needs.
Uniqueli MADE provides personal and professional accommodations and resources to help millennials with disabilities live more independent lives. Read more informative articles today!
How Young Adults With Disabilities Can Start a Business Career
Ambitious young adults with disabilities can become successful in a business career. It’s definitely possible, but it takes dedication, commitment, and hard work. You may also need to get an entry-level job first to get a feel of the industry or secure an internship to gain experience. Read on for helpful tips from Uniqueli MADE on how to get started.
Don’t Let Your Disability Stop You
The first step is to avoid self-doubt. You may have a disability, but this shouldn’t discourage you from starting and becoming successful in your business career. There are of all sorts. You’ll need to be willing to give it your all and never stop learning — these are key elements in your recipe to success.
Which University Degree Should You Pursue?
If you want to focus on how to manage a business, The Conversation suggests considering earning a business degree. You’ll learn effective leadership and marketing skills to help you better run a successful business. Obtaining a master’s degree can also help, and you don’t have to go to attend school in person for this, as online schools offer master’s degrees to young adults.
Earning a law degree is also a good idea. Once you graduate and have enough job experience, you can consider launching your own law firm. Make connections with experts in the industry to learn more about law and open up more job opportunities.
List Your Achievements to Land Your First Job
As a young adult with a disability, you may think it’s difficult to get an entry-level job. Although it may take a lot of preparation, it may not be too difficult for you to find an entry-level job. LinkedIn is a good platform for attracting employers interested in hiring young adults with no job experience. The Muse explains that, to be considered, update and complete your profile, add a professional photo, and include your school achievements or skills relevant to the job description. Make your posts positive and relevant, and respond promptly and respectfully to anyone who contacts you.
Most job applications will require you to submit a resume, even if you have also connected your LinkedIn profile, so it’s best to have one ready. If this would be your first job, don’t panic. You will still need to include the information previously mentioned. Think about these documents as ways to show potential employers what skills you have. It’s a good idea to send these as PDFs, since that’s a more professional-looking format.
When applying for a job, writing an attractive cover letter and highlighting the skills you’ve acquired in school can help you earn your first job. Before heading to an interview, take time to prepare — write down the possible questions with answers and try to practice with a friend. Most importantly, be polite and send a thank you note after the interview. If you don’t hear back from the employer, don’t be afraid to follow up.
How to Score a Good Internship
Internships may not pay high wages, but you get experience and learn more about the world of business. Try to work with your school counselor and ask for tips on how to find internships you can qualify for. Don’t be afraid to approach your school professors as well. You might want to also ask for a recommendation letter from them to increase your chances of landing the internship.
It’s Never Too Soon to Start a Career in Business
It might feel overwhelming to find your first job, but there are great opportunities out there if you know how to pursue them. Work with your high school or college career department to see if there are any available internships or entry-level jobs that could give you the practical skills you’ll need moving forward into a business career.
If planning a startup, and you’re offering products or services, it’s a good idea to set up an online store. Having the right commerce solutions like an e-commerce platform helps you stay competitive in today’s marketplace and it allows you to expand your customer base. Look for a platform that features a user-friendly interface so you can create pages yourself instead of outsourcing to a developer.
You may find that getting a bachelor’s or a master’s degree will be a strategic investment and help you gain more knowledge about the industry you’re interested in. Don’t be afraid to network and put yourself – and your resume – out there. You never know what opportunities might arise!
