Article
Keys to a successful internship for young adults who are blind
Tips, advice and best practices for blind and visually impaired young adults who want to make the most of internship opportunities
For young adults who are blind or visually impaired, an internship is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience. And internships have the advantage of being temporary in nature – which is a great way to try out your comfort level with different career fields, discover what you’re good at and what you enjoy doing, all while building your professional skills and filling out your resume.
Internships are typically designed for college students, although there may be some internship programs for high school students and young professionals through your local disability services organizations or state agency. Additionally, some job training programs may offer an internship as a component of the program.
- If you are a college student, contact your college’s career services center to discover how you can connect with internship opportunities.
- If you are not in college, but would like to find internships, connect with your state’s vocational rehabilitation services or other disability services organizations to learn about opportunities you may be eligible for.
You’ve got the job. Now what?
Once you’ve landed the job, keep these seven tips in mind:
1. Set goals
An internship is your opportunity to learn, gain work experience and build your professional skills. Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound) goals for yourself about what you want to accomplish during your internship that will help you along your career path so that you can maximize this opportunity. Goals could include things like building a particular tech skill or meeting new colleagues. Track your progress regularly so you can be sure to accomplish your goals.
2. Build your network
According to Forbes, at least 80% of jobs are filled through professional network connections. This means that establishing professional relationships with colleagues and managers during your internship is a critical step in your future career success. Introduce yourself to everyone at your internship and try to build positive relationships. If you’re not already on LinkedIn, create a profile and add connections. Even after your internship ends, keep in touch with your network via LinkedIn, email or informal meetings.
3. Understand accommodations
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the workplace, including interns. For many people with disabilities who are entering the workplace for the first time, navigating requests for accommodations and understanding the accommodations options open to them, can be confusing.
Prior to the internship, talk with your supervisor and Human Resources department about what accommodations have worked for you in the past and have them ready for the first day of your internship. During your internship, take advantage of this chance to discover what accommodations you require. Practice and get comfortable advocating for the tools that empower you to be at your best at work. (And be proud of your self-advocacy skills: if you’re the first blind or visually impaired internship candidate the company has had, you may be blazing a trail for those who come after you.)
4. Maintain professionalism
Professionalism involves being reliable and delivering high-quality work. During your internship, be sure to be on time, not only for the workday, but also for meetings and completing assignments on time. Be sure that your work reflects your best effort: you’ve double-checked it and asked for help if you’re not sure what to do.
Professionalism also often involves tuning into things like wardrobe and appearance, which might be difficult to observe if you are blind or visually impaired. It can be challenging to know if your workplace has a more formal or casual dress code, so do not be afraid to ask Human Resources staff before starting your internship or ask your manager once you’ve started working.
5. Practice orientation and mobility (O&M)
Navigating a new environment takes time for everyone – but when you’re blind or visually impaired at an internship, there will be additional considerations. Be sure to work with your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to set up O&M training prior to starting your internship. Keep in mind that if you are using public transportation, paratransit or ride sharing, you should also learn your commuting route. There are numerous apps that can help you plan a route, track a route, and get visual assistance if needed. When learning the layout of your workspace, you may need to ask what areas of the office you’ll be working in in addition to your desk, conference rooms, your supervisor’s office and break rooms, for example. If traveling with a guide dog, you will want to know if they have a designated relief area for your dog.
6. Ask questions
Use your internship to find out as much as you can about the field you’re interested in, career pathways and any industry lingo that you should understand. Talk with managers about what skills are required to work in the field, and ask coworkers about their jobs, education and lifestyle. Learning as much as you can about these topics will help you to ultimately decide if this career path is right for you. Additionally, be sure to ask questions about your tasks and assignments during your internship. It’s always best to be sure you understand expectations and how to do things correctly before going off in the wrong direction on an assignment.
7. Get feedback
There may be some kind of final appraisal that your internship supervisor completes at the end of your internship. These evaluations can be a great tool for you to understand your strengths and areas for improvement. It’s a good idea to get regular feedback from your supervisor and coworkers along the way as well. Many workplaces are busy, so it may be difficult to get regular meetings with your manager, but try to seek out feedback at least at the halfway point and end of your internship. Use the time you have to work on your areas of improvement and continue to develop the skills that will help you in your future career.
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