Your Step-By-Step Guide to Succeeding in Business With a Disability.

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Your Step-By-Step Guide to Succeeding in Business With a Disability.  

Take a look at the hottest jobs in America right now and you’ll see that business fields like marketing and finance are on top.  As an added bonus, many employers are offering remote and virtual opportunities due to the pandemic. This is why if you are living with a disability and looking for a lucrative yet flexible new career, you should seriously consider breaking into the business world.

Unsure about the next steps? These tips from Toner News can save you some time and stress.

Choosing a Business Degree.
Even if you dream of starting your own business, choosing the right undergraduate and graduate degrees can set you up for more success. For instance, an online IT master’s degree will help prepare you for the ins and outs of setting up an IT consulting business in the future. Plus, earning a degree online makes it easy to earn while you learn.

Other business education options that will put you ahead of the pack include degrees in finance, accounting, and/ or business administration. Graduating with one of these degrees could also mean more money in your paycheck, even for entry-level positions. If your goals include managing a business, you may need to earn an MBA or master’s as mentioned above.

Applying for Financial Aid
By now, you may be wondering how to pay for your new business degrees? The answer can depend on a few different factors in your life. But one thing that’s for sure is that completing a FAFSA is always a smart first step. Unfortunately, too many would-be students forego filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid because they believe their families make too much money or their grades aren’t good enough to qualify, but these are misconceptions.

Completing a FAFSA will open you up to a variety of financial aid programs, and only a handful are need-based. After you’ve completed your FAFSA, you can also look for additional aid opportunities, including scholarships, meant specifically for students who are living with disabilities. These scholarships could cover part or even all of your education expenses.

Landing an Internship
Before you cross the stage in your graduation gown, you may need to land an internship to fulfill your degree requirements. Here’s the tricky part: you likely won’t be paid as an intern, but the experience and connections you will gain are well worth the sacrifice. Not to mention that landing a job without any real-world experience can be impossible. That’s why if you can afford it, you should consider taking an unpaid internship position before you graduate.

It’s also worth mentioning that the same ADA requirements that apply to employees also apply to internship and externship participants. Title III of the ADA prohibits businesses from discriminating against internship applicants and participants on the basis of disabilities. If you land an internship, that business must also make reasonable efforts to accommodate you.

Finding That First Job
Hopefully, your internship will lead to a paid position, but if not, you can start seeking other employment opportunities. If you will be looking for jobs in 2020 or even 2021, know that the process looks quite different during the pandemic. The good news is that with more businesses using remote hiring and work tools, there may be more opportunities available to you.

If you prefer becoming an entrepreneur right after college, you’ll need a different approach. You can set up an online shop or freelance business while you’re still earning a degree. Then use your school and internship connections to draw in those all-important first clients. Play your cards right, and you could end up with a successful startup before graduation!

With so many business jobs in-demand, there’s never been a better time to switch your career path. With the right education, experience and know-how, you can open yourself up to a world of possibilities to fit your professional and personal needs. So start your path to success today! 

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November 24, 2020 at 10:06 AM