Career path to fit disability
Discussion
Hi guys,
Not sure if this should go in here or the health subforum, so mods if it would fit better over there feel free to move.
Im really struggling at the moment to find a job/career that I will be able to stick with. I have marfans syndrome, which means my fingers/limbs can (and do) dislocate quite easily, sometimes without much provocation. To give you an idea, even getting dressed sometimes causes problems.
Work history is mainly hands on stuff, mechanic, warehouse, retail work. My normal year schedule is something along the lines of - get job, work 2 months, employer gets fed up of injuries, find new job, repeat. I have applied to go back to college in september to study counselling, but that will be another 3-4 years until I can actually do the job at which point I am dangerously close to 30 without any sort of career to speak of. I used to be quite ambitious and believe I could work my way up - now I would settle for any stable job.
I have tried and tried to find a job where the risks are minimised but due to me not being qualified in anything that I am actually able to do (had always relied on the mechanic path) I'm left with normal 'manual labour' jobs which I cant do. Its not because I'm work shy, far from it - I hate not working, but it is incredibly frustrating applying for jobs knowing that in 2 months time or less I will be unemployed again. Its also killing my confidence, as well as no stable job = no regular income.
I'm not expecting a magic answer to fix everything, but does anyone have any ideas on what job I may be able to do? Money doesnt matter - Minimum wage is better than benefits.
Not sure if this should go in here or the health subforum, so mods if it would fit better over there feel free to move.
Im really struggling at the moment to find a job/career that I will be able to stick with. I have marfans syndrome, which means my fingers/limbs can (and do) dislocate quite easily, sometimes without much provocation. To give you an idea, even getting dressed sometimes causes problems.
Work history is mainly hands on stuff, mechanic, warehouse, retail work. My normal year schedule is something along the lines of - get job, work 2 months, employer gets fed up of injuries, find new job, repeat. I have applied to go back to college in september to study counselling, but that will be another 3-4 years until I can actually do the job at which point I am dangerously close to 30 without any sort of career to speak of. I used to be quite ambitious and believe I could work my way up - now I would settle for any stable job.
I have tried and tried to find a job where the risks are minimised but due to me not being qualified in anything that I am actually able to do (had always relied on the mechanic path) I'm left with normal 'manual labour' jobs which I cant do. Its not because I'm work shy, far from it - I hate not working, but it is incredibly frustrating applying for jobs knowing that in 2 months time or less I will be unemployed again. Its also killing my confidence, as well as no stable job = no regular income.
I'm not expecting a magic answer to fix everything, but does anyone have any ideas on what job I may be able to do? Money doesnt matter - Minimum wage is better than benefits.
Office work would surely be the answer?
You don't necessarily need all the qualifications under the sun to get a foot in the door.
I'm sure there are people who would be able to help you with a CV, sign up with a few agencies and try to be open minded.
Even a relatively basic admin job might lead you to bigger and better opportunities
You don't necessarily need all the qualifications under the sun to get a foot in the door.
I'm sure there are people who would be able to help you with a CV, sign up with a few agencies and try to be open minded.
Even a relatively basic admin job might lead you to bigger and better opportunities
Thanks for the ideas so far. I am able to type, but its one of the things that make my fingers pop out more often. Once they are dislocated I can put them back myself 99% of the time, it just takes 10 mins.
I hadnt considered office stuff as I have no knowledge about it at all. I dont even have a GCSE in IT, as 16 year old me decided I would rather be out working than doing exams. I will have a look around, seems to be a fair few that have 'experience vital' but hopefully there are a few that dont need any.
I really like the idea of still sticking with what I know (cars) but changing roles, I will look into that too. Thanks again, I think after you look at so many job listings, it all blends into one big 'cant do' pile.
I hadnt considered office stuff as I have no knowledge about it at all. I dont even have a GCSE in IT, as 16 year old me decided I would rather be out working than doing exams. I will have a look around, seems to be a fair few that have 'experience vital' but hopefully there are a few that dont need any.
I really like the idea of still sticking with what I know (cars) but changing roles, I will look into that too. Thanks again, I think after you look at so many job listings, it all blends into one big 'cant do' pile.
Edited by Dgr90 on Thursday 18th June 12:21
Is there a University near you? Get any entry level admin job and work your way up, they will have measures in place to enable people with disabilities to do their job, and will have in house counsellors for students. which fits with your college course.
They will also be more tolerant of disability related absences than most.
They will also be more tolerant of disability related absences than most.
227BHP, near Reading.
I have booked a careers advice appointment to try and find out some more options, and will have a look around regarding Uni's. I will also check how volunteering affects things, as I hadnt considered that. Thanks again guys, really helpful. I just wish I could stick it long enough to show employers that despite the added complications, I am worth sticking with, I make sure my work rate compensates any negative impact that this might have.
I have booked a careers advice appointment to try and find out some more options, and will have a look around regarding Uni's. I will also check how volunteering affects things, as I hadnt considered that. Thanks again guys, really helpful. I just wish I could stick it long enough to show employers that despite the added complications, I am worth sticking with, I make sure my work rate compensates any negative impact that this might have.
Hi OP,
You come accross as being very eloquent. May I suggest recruitment as a career? Office based, not rocket science, and the earnings potential as a career really is unlimited.
An old friend of my Dad's, sadly now passed away, ran his own recruitment business for years, he was a quadraplegic following water skiing accident.
Recruitment covers every job market sector so you can take what you already know and search and select candidates for specific jobs, and you dont need any special qualifications.
best of luck
You come accross as being very eloquent. May I suggest recruitment as a career? Office based, not rocket science, and the earnings potential as a career really is unlimited.
An old friend of my Dad's, sadly now passed away, ran his own recruitment business for years, he was a quadraplegic following water skiing accident.
Recruitment covers every job market sector so you can take what you already know and search and select candidates for specific jobs, and you dont need any special qualifications.
best of luck
I have been called many things, but never eloquent!
I have previously looked into recruitment as a lot of the job sites are full of adverts for open positions. A friend of a friend warned me off, saying he knew 'a few' people that had done it and hated it (though I think thats because he couldnt be bothered to put the time in and learn). Im going to try and re-write my CV, as its geared toward stuff I can no longer do, start applying and see where it goes. Off to google I go, CV's are not my strong point!
I have previously looked into recruitment as a lot of the job sites are full of adverts for open positions. A friend of a friend warned me off, saying he knew 'a few' people that had done it and hated it (though I think thats because he couldnt be bothered to put the time in and learn). Im going to try and re-write my CV, as its geared toward stuff I can no longer do, start applying and see where it goes. Off to google I go, CV's are not my strong point!
Recruitment is an easy career to get into for graduates who have a desire to 'get on'.
What graduates lack is any major experience and understanding of any given market sector, which you do have.
I get phoned up by recruiters regularly; the ones that impress and go to if I am thinking of moving companies are not what you would call 'dynamic sales people with the gift of the gab', but the ones who bother to simply read all my CV, have good attention to detail and understand the job that I do.
In addition, you may well come accross the perfect job for you in your sector while trying to find suitable candidates for said job.
What graduates lack is any major experience and understanding of any given market sector, which you do have.
I get phoned up by recruiters regularly; the ones that impress and go to if I am thinking of moving companies are not what you would call 'dynamic sales people with the gift of the gab', but the ones who bother to simply read all my CV, have good attention to detail and understand the job that I do.
In addition, you may well come accross the perfect job for you in your sector while trying to find suitable candidates for said job.
Thanks again for all replies, its all been very helpful. I have been applying for jobs today, there is 1 that I REALLY want as it is pretty much a perfect fit for me (trainee service advisor at a bike dealer) but I think all in all I have applied for around 15. Im still not particularly confident about hearing back but its a start, I just needed to step back, get some perspective and advice and move forwards.
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