Help Your Student Explore Careers and Plan for the Future

Are you a parent helping your child explore job options but not sure where to begin? Whether they’re unsure what they want or already have a dream job in mind, you can help guide them! Start by talking about their strengths, challenges, and the support they might need at work.

Job skills start at home—like listening, following directions, being on time, and working well with others. These “soft skills” are key to success.

Wherever your child is in the process, it’s helpful to know who can support them. A great first step: check out the resources below!

Resources

Tips for young people with disabilities on effective strategies for building their first resume.

Person viewing a resume

This site can help families and youth find workforce services in their area.

This site offers resources to increase the participation of people with disabilities in CIE.

Check out the Employment resources on this PACER site.

Learn how to help your children and youth build independent skills for job success.

A true story of eight young people with disabilities achieving great things at work!

O*NET is the main resource in the U.S. for information about different jobs and careers.

Explore careers, take assessments, create education plans, and connect with employers online.

Explore resources for succeeding during and after high school, including financial aid, careers & more. 

Visit OK Edge to learn more about Individual Career and Academic Planning.

Learn about a program that focuses on community needs using a variety of transportation providers.

This website page from PACER has free downloads on many transition topics.

These tools help students and families envision a good life and identify necessary supports.

This is the Policy Guide on Transition from Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

Five practical strategies for helping their youth be successful when first looking for employment.

This course explains work-based learning, its importance, and relevant laws for students with disabilities.

In this video, youth share why employment is important to them.

In this 3 min video, a young man with autism shares his experiences with employment.

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