Discovering New Career Paths With A Disability

For many people with disabilities, returning to work after a major absence can feel like a huge task. You may be asking yourself, "How do I find a job that suits my current abilities without having to start over completely?" It is a common feeling, especially if your disability has changed what you can do physically or mentally. However, you may not have to start all over again.

Many people in similar situations have found a way to use their existing skills, knowledge and experience to move into new roles. Once you evaluate your readiness to return to work and decide it’s time to move forward, it’s possible to find new purpose for your current skill set and re-enter the workforce in a way that works for you.

Taking Stock Of What You Have

Understanding Your Skill Set

The first step to discovering a new career path is to assess your current skills, both hard and soft. Hard skills refer to specific, teachable abilities such as being strong in using certain software, languages or tools. Soft skills, on the other hand, include abilities we use between and among people like communication, leadership or problem-solving.

Take some time to list out your skills. Think beyond your previous job title and focus on what you did in that role. For instance, a former retail manager may have developed a strong skill set in customer service, team leadership and inventory management. These skills can be valuable in jobs outside of retail.

Consider Work Experience And Education

Your work experience, even if no longer directly applicable due to your disability, is still valuable. Past roles provide context and show you can adapt. Formal education, on-the-job learning and professional development are all part of your career value. For instance, a healthcare professional who can no longer engage in difficult physical tasks may still have great experience in speaking with patients and administrative work.

Know Your Key Strengths

Beyond technical or job-specific skills, what makes you stand out? What are you known for in the workplace? You may have heard from multiple people over time that you are a hard worker or especially good at getting people motivated.

These strengths are often a big deal in different sectors. Once you’ve identified these, you can begin considering how they can apply to other fields.

Understanding Transferable Skills

What Are Transferable Skills?

Transferable skills are abilities that can be used across a wide range of industries and roles. These include communication, leadership and technical strength. Understanding these skills is crucial when transitioning to a new career. For example, project management skills can be useful across many fields such as marketing, software development and construction.

Categories Of Transferable Skills

1. Communication Skills: The ability to communicate effectively is valuable in nearly every profession. This could take the form of writing, presentations or client interaction. A great example is a teacher applying their communication skills in training and development roles.
2. Leadership and Management: Leadership isn’t limited to a specific industry. Strong management skills are in demand in many sectors, from hospitality to logistics. For example, a former retail manager can move to operations management in a different industry.
3. Technical Proficiency: Technical skills are highly transferable. Someone skilled in data entry might transition to administrative roles in finance or law.

Lining Up Transferable Skills With New Job Opportunities

Once you have a clear sense of your transferable skills, the next step is to line them up with job openings. Research industries that value your skills and strengths. Online career assessments, job boards and career counseling are helpful tools. For example, if you’ve gained team leading experience, industries like construction or healthcare administration might offer new opportunities.

Exploring New Spaces

Different Roles In A Familiar Industry

If your previous job no longer fits your abilities, look into roles within the same industry that require similar skills. For example, if you previously worked in a healthcare industry role that was more physically demanding than you are now able to manage, you could move over to medical records management or healthcare administration. These fields require knowledge of healthcare, but offer less physical strain.

Growing Fields For Flexible Work

Certain industries are known for offering flexible work arrangements or opportunities for people with disabilities. Remote work, freelance opportunities and technology-based roles often provide flexibility that can accommodate various physical or mental health needs.

Examples of flexible roles include:

• IT Support: Provides remote work opportunities for those with technical skills.
• Content Writing: Freelance writing or content development roles can be done from home and at your own pace.
• Remote Customer Service: Offers the flexibility to manage work and health needs simultaneously.

Vocational Rehabilitation And Employment Networks

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services and Employment Networks (ENs, such as Allsup Employment Services) are excellent resources for people seeking a career change. These services can help you access job training, resume building and placement assistance. For example, the Ticket to Work Program connects people with a range of resources to help find new career paths.

Communicating Your Value

Reworking Your Resume And Cover Letter

Tailoring your resume and cover letter is critical when moving into a new career. Focus on highlighting transferable skills and achievements rather than dwelling on tasks you can no longer perform. For instance, if your previous job involved leadership roles, emphasize your ability to lead teams and drive successful projects rather than physical or technical tasks that may no longer be workable.

Showing Confidence In Interviews

When explaining employment gaps or a career move due to a disability, confidence is key. Frame the change as a career decision to use your existing skills and experience in a different role. For example, you might explain how your industry knowledge makes you a great fit for a new role in management.

Using Networking And Personal Branding

Networking is another essential tool when transitioning careers. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your desired field, share relevant content and showcase your expertise. Personal branding helps demonstrate your adaptability and value to potential employers.

Staying Motivated And Building Confidence

Dealing With Anxiety About Career Change

Moving into a new field can be a little nerve-wracking, but setting small, attainable goals can help build confidence over time. Break down your job search into manageable steps and celebrate small victories, such as completing a resume update or going to a networking event.

Seeking Support From Communities

Leaning on peer support, career coaching or mental health professionals can provide valuable guidance during a career change. There are many disability support groups and virtual communities where you can find encouragement and advice.

Success Stories

It’s important to remember that many people have successfully moved into new career paths after facing similar challenges. Some may return to their industry in a new capacity while others take the situation as an opportunity to shift into something different. For example, a teacher might move to educational consulting after a disability makes it difficult to continue working in the classroom.

These success stories demonstrate that career change is not only possible but can lead to meaningful and fulfilling work.

Finding Your New Path

Coming up with new ways to use your existing skills, knowledge and experience for a new career path is not only possible but smart. By taking stock of your abilities, looking into new industries and communicating your value, you can make a new career move a success. Don’t hesitate to start assessing your skills today.

Returning To Work With Allsup Employment Services

Are you currently receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and would like to return to work?

Allsup Employment Services (AES) is an SSA-authorized EN for the Ticket To Work Program. We have over 10 years of experience helping thousands return to work successfully.

The Ticket to Work Program helps you protect your SSA disability benefits by:

• Maintaining your SSDI income while you attempt working again.
• Safeguarding your Medicare coverage.
• Pausing SSA medical disability reviews.

Benefits Of Working With AES:

• Earn More. Make as much income as you choose during the Trial Work Period and protect your full SSDI benefits.
• Stress Less. Avoid medical disability reviews and the worry that comes with them.
• Keep Medicare. While working, you can keep Medicare for over seven years.
• Avoid Risk. If you stop working anytime within five years, your SSDI benefits can resume through a reinstatement process.
• Pay Nothing. As a Social Security-authorized Employment Network, our services are provided at no cost.

Choosing AES means working with an EN who’s focused on your goals and will work with you every step of the way.

Get started – With No Cost And No Obligation.

Connect with Allsup Employment Services today by calling 866-540-5105 or requesting a call.