10 Resources for Transitioning from High School to College or Work

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How are you and feeling about your upcoming transition from high school? Can college or a career “not come soon enough” or hoping time will slow down because you appreciate the support of home life and you do not want to say goodbye to your friends? Maybe you are feeling a little of both, and that is normal too. However, you feel, it is important to prepare for the upcoming transition to college or a career as an individual who is blind or low vision for it to be as smooth of a transition as possible.

Check out these 10 resources to equip you for college and/or a career

How are you and feeling about your upcoming transition from high school? Can college or a career “not come soon enough” or hoping time will slow down because you appreciate the support of home life and you do not want to say goodbye to your friends? Maybe you are feeling a little of both, and that is normal too. However, you feel, it is important to prepare for the upcoming transition to college or a career as an individual who is blind or low vision for it to be as smooth of a transition as possible.

Check out these 10 resources to equip you for further education and/or a career and thrive into success!

1.       Discover the APH CareerConnect Transition section. You will find a collection of blogs and articles designed to assist teens and young adults who are blind or low vision in establishing and reaching transition-related goals which are tailored to family and personal culture, preferences, and interests.

  • Find activities to do starting with ways to begin leading your IEP meeting.
  • Learn from others how to begin preparing now for the future. Read personal stories and tips about preparing for independent living, first jobs and preparing for further education opportunities.

2.       Utilize the APH ConnectCenter Transition Hub to search for seasonal and summer transition services and programs for youth and young adults who are blind or low vision.  Services and programs which can assist in meeting your individualized goals for the future are at the tip of your tablet! And best of all, these programs are both fun and informative all in one.

  • Join and network with other blind and disabled University students from the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and National Federation of the Blind (NFB) who both have student divisions.
  • Discover many opportunities locally, or in areas you would like to explore. Find your local Rehabilitation/Transition Counselor from the Division/Commission for the Blind to work with them to connect with someone in a field you are interested in or connect with a possible mentor.  

3.       Take full advantage of APH CareerConnect’s virtual career exploration and job-seeking skills training course, the Job Seeker’s Toolkit. It is recently updated, accessible, and free of charge.

  • Explore lessons to help you become more self-aware and reflective.
  • Complete activities to discover your network and interests.

4.       See how others who are blind or low vision are successfully employed in your fields of interest Career Conversation videos (interviews of individuals who are blind or low vision working in a variety of interesting fields. There are over 15 interviews to review and choose from archived.

  • Join live and ask questions during the webinar.
  • Watch the recording and discuss with your parents:
    • Is this career would be something you might be interested or passionate about?
    • What qualities do I have that would make this a good career option to explore?
    • What challenges might I face in this career? How might I overcome them?

5.       Seek the mentorship of a recent college graduate who is blind or low vision using Envision’s College Success Program as you anticipate the college-readiness and application process.

  • Work with staff to build self-advocacy skills.
  • Connect with other college students who are blind or low vision to prepare for your child’s college experience.

6.       4to24 is a mobile app created to help youth who are blind or have low vision and their parents focus on the necessary steps to prepare for employment and independent living.

  • Prompts based upon your age
  • Provides considerations for blind or low vision, deafblind and parent support.

7.       If you have room to improve orientation and mobility skills, if you are considering handling a dog guide.  Learn about acquired skills from obtaining a dog guide from many schools that have programming and information sessions for teens and young adults including Leader Dogs, Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Seeing Eye.

  • Discuss with your O&M provider handling a dog guide and join a newsletter for most up to date information and events.

8.       Use tips from APH CareerConnect’s section on Job Seeking Guidance. Conducting a Successful Job Search to prep for your job research.

9. When wanting to hear what college life is like from college students directly join College Conversations. This webinar is offer 4 times a year featuring a panel of currently enrolled college students all over the country addressing college life, balancing working and school, socializing and friendships, campus life and activities.

  • Specific topics will be determined prior to the webinar. Join for those that are of interests to you. Watch the recordings for those you missed.
  • Ask current college students questions you are looking to have answered.

Staying up to date on resources that are available and important to you and your child help make informed decisions, understand options, connect with local resources and prepare for your next season—early adulthood! Activating some or all of these resources will help you make a lasting impression on stepping into the next phase of your life.