[nabs-l] Jobs held by blind students

[Kirt Manwaring]

Angelina,
  I did some summer jobs teaching technoology to blind students-I've
also done a couple summer work experiences through the Utah Industries
for the Blind.  Before you guys get on me, these weren't sheltered
workshops at all.  My first year I worked as a receptionist/person who
called clients back at a local employment center...I met all sorts
people from all over the spectrum that way.  Last summer, through the
UIB summer work experience program, I had the chance to intern at the
University of Utah law school.  I was a real intern-I had to do data
entry, be the local errandboy to deliver packages to professors
offices, answer phones, etc.  Plus I got to do lots of networking with
lawyers and law professors, which was great because law is a career
I'm heavily considering.
  Other than that, I tried to juggle a job last semester working to
help the webmasters of a particular department at our university make
their site accessible.  It was only 10 hours a week, but I found it
really difficult to manage that, do all my school work and keep a
halfway decent social life.  I suspect if that money were a necessity
for me, rather than a luxury, I would've found a way.  And anyway that
semester was one where I had to do a lot of growing up, so maybe
blindness wasn't the main factor involved in that not working for me.
I don't know.  But I'll probably not try any other part-time jobs as a
blind student...but never say never, I guess.
  All the best,
Kirt

On 6/27/11, Rania Ismail CMT <raniaismail04 at gmail.com> wrote:
> When I was in high school and in massage school I have never held a job. I
> wanted to focus on my school work because for me that was enough to deal
> with.
> I my self didn't know of any blind high school students who were working at
> the time either.
> I think that another reason why we as blind college students might not get a
> job while in school is the transportation fact as well. Depending on how far
> you have to go from point A to point B. Your trip could turn in to an all
> day thing well close to it.
> As for me working at the salon as a massage therapist is my first ever
> paying job.
> I am not doing any of the front end things like answering the phone yet only
> because I am not sure how the computers work I mean I think they have some
> kind of system set up so you have to go in to different places to put the
> client's name phone number the service they want and the day they want to
> come in.
> After my employer told me that he was looking for someone to also work as a
> receptionist I told him that I was still willing to come and work as one of
> his massage therapists!
> I was vary surprised to here him say that he would put me on the list of
> massage therapists on call.
> That made me so happy to know that an employer was giving me a blind person
> a chance to show the world what I can do!
> I have to say that I am now the first therapist they call when a client
> wants a massage! The managers and the client's are vary happy with me!
> I also love being at the salon. My co-workers and the monitors to me make it
> seem like a wonderful and fun place to work!
> I am always looking forward to the next time when I will go back and do it
> all over again!
> Rania,
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Anjelina
> Sent: Monday, June 27, 2011 7:04 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: [nabs-l] Jobs held by blind students
>
> Hi all,
> I thought exploring jobs as students would be an interesting thread.
> What types have you held as a student?
> In high school I worked part time at taco Bell. I believe most jobs are
> feasible for a person who is blind. The barrier is finding employers who are
> willing to think outside of the box. Even at Ataco Bell I had to work my way
> up to washing dishes.
> It was mentioned it may be difficult for a blind person to flip burgers do
> to sanitary regulations. I'm not sure about Burger joints but most fast food
> items are precooked/prepackaged which just required dropping the meat into a
> thermalize.
> Since I have not yet faced the full-time world of employment,I cannot offer
> any advice. It is disheartening reading accounts of capable willing job
> candidates who also face discrimination. We know what we are capable of;
> the obstacle is being given a chance.
>
> Anjelina
> Sent from my iPhone
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/raniaismail04%40gmai
> l.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kirt.crazydude%40gmail.com
>