The National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision Mississippi State University

1. The National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision Mississippi State University Transition Activity Calendar Career Advantage for V.I.P.s Planning ahead for college is vitally important, especially if you are blind or visually impaired. The Transition Calendar is designed for teachers, students and families to provide suggestions to make that college preparation a reality. The calendar includes suggestions such as: • Career Advantage is a career development tool that offers eight instructional modules which you can explore at your own pace. • The modules provide tools to take you, step by step, through the processes of • Self-assessment • Career exploration • Learning effective job search techniques • Resume design and development • Asking for job accommodations • Talking to employers about vision loss • The interview process • The final module of Career Advantage offers information, suggestions, and activities to help you move beyond learning new skills to applying them as an effective job-seeker. • It’s never too early to start thinking about part-time jobs and careers, even in middle school • At 14, contact Vocational Rehabilitation Services • Go to American Council of the Blind (ACB) or National Federation of the Blind (NFB) conferences to meet visually impaired and blind working professionals in various areas • Know what support services you require for college and identify colleges that have those services • Master computer skills, smart phones, and social networking sites to maintain an active social life • Make sure you have your O&M skills mastered and know which assistive devices work best for you before you go off to college MSU-NRTC researchers and designers of Career Advantage wish you success in your efforts to secure employment that is a good fit for your skills and interests! Find the Transition Activity Calendar at www.blind.msstate.edu/transition/tac/ Find Career Advantage at: www.blind.msstate.edu/advantage/ • The Transition Activity Calendar and Career Advantage for V.I.P.s was developed by researchers at Mississippi State University through a grant from the Department of Education: NIDRR grant number H133A070001-09.