Your Future, Your Job, Your Plan

What do you want to do after high school? Maybe you already know. Maybe you have no idea yet. Either way, this post is for you.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). It’s a time to celebrate the work people with disabilities do every day. It’s also a great time to start thinking about your own job dreams.

A Quick Look Back

In 1945, Congress picked one week in October to focus on jobs for people with physical disabilities. In 1998, they removed the word “physically” so the week could include everyone. Now the whole month honors workers with disabilities. Watch the “I Can” video to meet seven of them at work.

Your Transition Plan Is Your Map

Starting around age 14, your IEP includes a transition plan. Think of it as a map. It shows where you want to go after high school and the steps to get there.

A strong plan answers questions like these:

• What kind of work interests me?
• What skills do I already have?
• What skills do I need to learn?
• Do I need work experience?
• Do I want to go to college or job training?
• What supports will I need after high school?
• Who can help me reach my job goal?

Why does this matter? When your plan has these answers, your school team knows what to teach you now. You get to practice real skills before you graduate. Then you leave school ready to go after the job you want.

You Have More Skills Than You Think

Most bosses look for the same kinds of skills. Here’s the good news: you don’t need a job to learn them. You pick them up all over the place:

• School: showing up on time, following directions, and working in a group
• Chores at home: finishing a task, keeping a schedule, and taking care of things
• Volunteering: helping people, being kind, and being part of a team
• Hobbies: sticking with something hard, being creative, and noticing details
• Internships: learning real job tasks and getting better from feedback
• Everyday life: solving problems, staying calm, and asking for help

Not sure what you’re good at? Ask a teacher or a family member. Their answers might surprise you. Write those skills in your plan.

Turn What You Love Into Job Ideas

What you like to do for fun can point you toward a job.

• Gaming: game testing, IT support, game design
• Art and design: graphic design, printing, photography
• Animals: vet assistant, groomer, shelter worker
• Food: kitchen crew, bakery, catering
• Building and fixing things: construction, auto shop, maintenance
• Being outdoors: landscaping, greenhouse, parks crew

Pick two or three and add them to your plan. You can change them anytime.

Never Had a Job? That’s Okay!

Every worker in the world started with zero jobs. You can build experience before you ever get a paycheck. Here are some easy ways to start:

• Volunteer at a food bank, library, animal shelter, or park.
• Job shadow. Spend a day with a worker and watch what they do.
• Help out at school, like in the office, library, or lunchroom.
• Do small jobs for neighbors, like pulling weeds, walking dogs, or shoveling snow.
• Try work-based learning or an internship through your school.

Keep a list of everything you do. It can go on your very first resume.

Places to volunteer in Utah:

• Utah Parent Center needs help at family events, in the office, and with special projects. The sign-up form has a spot for self-advocates and students, so you can join too.
• Utah Independent Living Center (UILC) in Salt Lake City is run by people with disabilities. It serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. You can help for a few hours or a few days a month. Fill out their volunteer form to get started.
• Special Olympics Utah needs helpers at sports events all over the state. You can also play on a team as a Unified partner. Ask if your school has a Unified Champion Schools club.
• Utah Food Bank lets you sort and pack food. You must be 12 or older, and teens ages 12 to 15 need an adult with them. Sign up ahead of time.
• American Red Cross Utah Youth Services is for teens ages 13 to 18. Members meet each month and help their community. Some high schools have a Red Cross club you can join.
• UServeUtah helps you find volunteer projects anywhere in Utah. Its youth volunteer guide lists places like Primary Children’s Hospital, where many jobs start at age 14 or 16.

Places that can help you get started:

• Utah Vocational Rehabilitation Youth Services helps students ages 14 to 24 explore jobs and learn work skills. Staff can even come to your IEP meeting.
• State Employment Pathways shares State of Utah jobs and internships for people with disabilities.

What If I Need Help at Work?

Some people work on their own. Other people need help on the job. Both are okay! Needing support does not stop you from having a real job.

Here are some kinds of help:

• Job coach: a person who learns the job with you and helps you practice. As you get better, they step back. Some job coaches stay for a long time.
• Supported employment: a team helps you find a job and keeps helping after you start.
• Customized employment: a job is built around what you do best.
• Tools and changes at work: picture checklists, phone reminders, a quiet space, or a different schedule. These are called accommodations.
• Helpful coworkers: people at work who show you what to do and answer questions.

Write the help you need into your transition plan. That way it’s ready when you start working.

Places that offer this kind of help:

• DSPD Employment Services helps people who qualify find a job that fits their strengths. It also gives them a job coach.
• Utah Vocational Rehabilitation (listed above) can also set up job coaching and supported employment.

More Help in Utah

• Transition University from the Utah Parent Center has free courses about school, work, and life after high school. You can take them at your own pace.
• Person-Centered Planning from the Utah Parent Center helps you build a plan around your strengths and goals.
• Ready & Able connects people with disabilities to job resources across Utah.

Your Next Step

You don’t need it all figured out. This month, pick just one thing:

• Answer one question from your plan.
• Sign up to volunteer.
• Ask an adult what they like about their job.

Small steps add up. Your future job starts with the one you take today.