WHAT WE DO
Story
Giving teens with visual impairments their first summer jobs
Perkins’ summer vocational program puts students with visual impairment on the payroll at local workplaces
your success story
A job isn’t just a source of income.
It’s a source of independence that will allow you to live the life you want outside of work. To compete alongside your sighted peers, you need self-determination, a willingness to learn new skills and the ability to collaborate with colleagues, clients and customers.
That’s where Career Launch @ Perkins comes in. It’s an innovative training and career services program helping blind and visually impaired young adults land career-track jobs. The curriculum provides the hands-on training and experience necessary to build a sustainable career in professional fields focused on customer success – as well as more than a year of support from our Career Services team to help you navigate to the opportunity that’s just right for you.
Career Launch is generously supported by a grant from the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation.
What makes Career Launch different?
A first-of-its kind program designed to give you skills, experience and support to land a career-track job
Business fundamentals education
Cover everything from customer experience, customer acquisition and retention, customer service metrics and more.
Job skills
Develop vital job skills applicable across a variety of roles, including sales and marketing, HR and recruitment, customer support and more.
Common workplace tools
Learn Salesforce, Microsoft Office, Google Suite – as well as a variety of access technologies and apps that empower users when at work, commuting and living independently.
Job simulations
Hone your professionalism and build self-confidence during simulated workplace calls and tasks.
Career Services support
Partner with our Career Services team to find the right opportunity, get hired and thrive from day one on the job.
Candidates for
Career Launch
Adults, ages 18-35
Bright, motivated young adults who value self-reliance.
Go-getters
Self-starters seeking financial independence to provide for themselves and pursue their personal passions.
Hard workers
People who can learn from constructive feedback because they’re always trying to be better at whatever they do, in work and life.
Challenge-seekers
Because Career Launch will give you the tools to enter the workforce, succeed in your job and build your financial future.
How will you launch?
Residential program
Our residential track is for candidates, age 18-29, who are eager to not only learn and work, but to embark on a unique life experience.
Virtual program
Our virtual track brings career training, job acquisition and coaching support to candidates, age 18-35 – wherever they are.
Questions? Let’s talk.
Wondering about which track is right for you? Our Admissions team will be happy to work with you to explore your options.
Prepared.
Confident.
Launched.
Craig, California Career Launch participant“Career Launch has helped me grow more confident in myself. The instructors have helped prepare me to overcome the challenges I’ll face in finding work and staying employed.”
VR counselors
Let’s work together to get your clients to work! Career Launch empowers participants – partnering with them for continued success in competitive employment and independence.
Employers
Our partners are industry leaders. They prioritize the customer experience and they recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Join us.
Volunteers
Our volunteers help trainees gain skills, experience and knowledge. The work is high-impact, engaging, varied – and there are many ways to help.
Meet the Career Launch team
Inside Career Launch
Tips & Facts
5 tips to create a disability-inclusive workplace
Story
Developing a resume
Story
Taking the leap
Career Launch
What will your success story be?
Get in touch to discuss how Career Launch can work for you.
Ready to launch?
Apply for Career Launch Virtual and get started on your career journey.