We all know the power work experience can have for young people when they’re considering future career options. And while placements can be tricky to come by, for students with a disability, the barriers are even higher. But this shouldn’t discourage you from trying to find work experience; there are plenty of reasons why you should, and lots of employers who are willing to work with you. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the importance of work experience, and how students with a disability can find options suitable for them. Let’s get started.
Why is work experience important?
There are a number of reasons why you might like to try work experience, including:
- Seeing if a job might be the right fit for you
- Getting experience in the workforce
- Building important soft skills
- Gaining confidence and independence
For young people with a disability, finding work experience is even more important. In Australia, only 53.4% of people with a disability aged 15–64 years are engaged in the workforce (compared to 84.1% of people without a disability).
By engaging in work experience while you’re still at school, you can be better equipped to enter the workforce with the skills and knowledge employers are looking for.
What to consider when searching for work experience
Individual considerations and needs when looking for work experience placements will vary from person to person. People with physical disabilities will need to look at things like building and facility access, while a student who is deaf might need assistance with interpreting. You know your own needs better than anybody else, so take these into account when looking for work experience.
When looking at specific employers, you might also like to do a bit of extra research about them to see if they might be a good fit. Do they currently employ other people with a disability? Have they implemented a Disability Action Plan or Accessibility and Inclusion Plan? Can you read reviews or talk to current and former employees about the workplace’s culture and values?
Finding work experience for students with a disability
Your school is usually your first point of contact when searching for work experience. Talk to your careers advisor and see if they can assist you in finding a placement.
If you have a Disability Employment Services (DES) provider, they can also assist with finding work experience appropriate for your needs.
If you see an opportunity online that looks interesting, you can always get in touch with the company and ask if they can support you.
And don’t forget about the power of family and friends. They can help you search for opportunities, or might be able to offer something that’s perfect for you.