Preparing for Work or further study

Whether you are reading this as a 1st year student, a final year student or a postgraduate student, there are key things you can do to prepare yourself for work or further study options.

As a freshman, and throughout your college life, the best way to start to develop your CV and explore your interests is through extra-curricular activities such as Internships, Voluntary work, Summer work or involvement in Clubs and Societies.

Although some students do not feel confident instigating these experiences, they are an important way of exploring how you can manage your disability in different environments. Research with previous graduates tells us that “Experience really is the best way to learn and become comfortable managing your employers and your disability.”

Things to do:

• Look for opportunities to build up your CV continuously during your time in college.
• Consider joining a club or society that interests you, or become more actively involved in running a club or society.
• Check out the voluntary opportunities advertised by the Trinity Civic Engagement Office.
• Apply for the Dean of Students’ Roll of Honour. Consult VACWORK for summer opportunities.
• Start gathering evidence of all the skills you are gaining in college on your CV. Read CV advice, attend a CV clinic, or make an appointment to speak to your Careers Adviser.

By 3rd & 4th year (Sophister) years you may have a good idea of the general area you would like to work in following graduation. The next step is to consider the possible career paths within your chosen sector and if there is any research you could do in relation to your disability.

For example, you may wish to work in finance, but in what area? How will your disability affect the day to day functions of the role? Are there any Shadowing Experiences you could organise to gain an insight into the role? During your Sophister years you can consider these choices and begin working on your transition plan, for example:

• Where do you want to be six months from graduation?
• Two years from graduation?
• What do you need to do now to make that happen?
• Would you like to discuss your disability with your employer or course provider?
• Are there any accommodations or assistive technologies you will need to inform yourself on?

If you're still deciding what you would like to do, check out the tools provided by the Careers Service to better understand your interests, values and skills.

Also remember, you can speak to your Careers Adviser and use the careers website in relation to finding experience relevant to your chosen career path.

See the Supporting Trinity College students with Disabilities into Employment e-book for more extensive information on Preparing for work or further study.

Assistive Technology & Other Supports in the workplace

When you registered with the Disability Service you met one of our Disability Officers who carried out a needs assessment, to determine your support requirements in university. University, in many ways, is very like the workplace. You are asked to complete assignments within a deadline, and you are expected to participate in various activities that may include public speaking, team work, independent research, reading information etc.
By understanding your needs within your course, you can gain an understanding of what tasks you may encounter in the workplace and what will support you in performing these tasks. Consider if and how your needs change during your time at university. Ask yourself:

• What are the supports you receive in College?
• Which are you likely to need in employment too?
• What strategies do you use to manage your disability in college that you can transfer to the workplace?

Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology is easy to use devices and programmes that allow you to perform tasks and activities that you might find difficult or hard to complete on your own. Such technologies can help you transition into employment and let you build on skills and strategies that you have used in your educational experience. Such technologies can demonstrate to employers that you have the skills and strategies already in place for the transition into employment and allow you concentrate on getting on with the job in hand.

Examples of such commonly used devices and software are:

• Dictaphones
• Audio Pens
• Ergonomic aids
• Voice recognition software
• Grammar spelling checkers
• Screen magnifiers
• Text to speech software
• Portable scanners

Consider your potential work activities in relation to:

• Does technology have a role in making the work you will do more accessible?
• Are you familiar with Assistive Technology and can you see its benefits?
• Have you the necessary skills to use your technology?
• Can you explain your AT to employers and colleagues?

If you are unsure about the need or the use of Assistive Technology, you can contact the AT officer in TCD Andrew Costello.

Check out these free to download tools that you may find helpful.