Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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A penny for your thoughts (job and general life advice needed) (self.Blind)
submitted by sageofmay
I am in a bit of pickle everyone.
So for better context, here is my background. I have been legally blind all my life after a retina cancer left me with limited vision when I was an infant. Fast forward few decades and I graduated my local university with a bachelor's in English in 2016, hoping to become a Korean-English translator/interpreter. But soon after my graduation, I had a hemorrhage in my only working eye, and my sight worsened. Thankfully, I still have some sight, but I missed a big opportunity to go get real job experience.
I have been working with my local vocab rehab, but my case manager doesn't seem to have any lead for me or what I should do. I asked him to prepare a Schedule A letter, just in case. But for now I am volunteering at a local Red Cross answering phone calls. (I also did some private tutoring and translation few years back) I have been job searching for a receptionist position for a while, but my lack of real job experience and liberal arts degree don't help.
So we arrive at my current impasse. I know I can't continue this forever. I need to get a stable job soon since I will be turning 29 next week. But I am just not sure what route to take. Going back to school is definitely an option, but I need to decide what I want to major in first.
That's why I want to ask for your thoughts and advice. Should I focus on making myself more marketable through volunteer work and short gigs? Or restart from square one and choose a different path altogether? If so, what sort of career would you recommend? I would appreciate any feedback really.
Ps. Has anyone worked for the government here?
So for better context, here is my background. I have been legally blind all my life after a retina cancer left me with limited vision when I was an infant. Fast forward few decades and I graduated my local university with a bachelor's in English in 2016, hoping to become a Korean-English translator/interpreter. But soon after my graduation, I had a hemorrhage in my only working eye, and my sight worsened. Thankfully, I still have some sight, but I missed a big opportunity to go get real job experience.
I have been working with my local vocab rehab, but my case manager doesn't seem to have any lead for me or what I should do. I asked him to prepare a Schedule A letter, just in case. But for now I am volunteering at a local Red Cross answering phone calls. (I also did some private tutoring and translation few years back) I have been job searching for a receptionist position for a while, but my lack of real job experience and liberal arts degree don't help.
So we arrive at my current impasse. I know I can't continue this forever. I need to get a stable job soon since I will be turning 29 next week. But I am just not sure what route to take. Going back to school is definitely an option, but I need to decide what I want to major in first.
That's why I want to ask for your thoughts and advice. Should I focus on making myself more marketable through volunteer work and short gigs? Or restart from square one and choose a different path altogether? If so, what sort of career would you recommend? I would appreciate any feedback really.
Ps. Has anyone worked for the government here?
andyman1994 5 points 3y ago
You sound like you were in a very similar position to my girlfriend. She is also visually impaired from cancer and has been blind her entire life. We met in college where she also received an English degree and she then went to graduate school for English which was fully paid with a stipend. She considered going into editing, but it just isn't a great field, and it turns out to be more challenging for someone with a visual impairment. However she is now teaching AP English at a high school and really enjoys her job. Teaching seems to be a good fit for her and the pay and benefits are pretty good all things considered. I have seen her try at a few jobs, and teaching honestly seems to be one where she is least handicapped by her visual impairment. Have you considered going down the grad school or education track? Graduate schools can be fully funded, for a master's in education, and are generally pretty good about assisting students or ta's with disabilities. All I can say is that it worked out pretty well for us. I can definitely put you in contact with her if you wanted to speak to someone in a similar position.
sageofmay [OP] 1 points 3y ago
While I was tutoring, I did think about teaching! My verbal and social skills can use some work since I've been basically living like a hermit, but I do think it's in realm of possibility.
I'd love to ask her few questions. Let me know how I can contact her. And thank you for the comment. It's really encouraging to know that someone in a similar situation has found success out there.
I'd love to ask her few questions. Let me know how I can contact her. And thank you for the comment. It's really encouraging to know that someone in a similar situation has found success out there.
andyman1994 1 points 3y ago
I messaged you her contact info. No problem. I know how hard and stressful it can be.
scaram0uche 3 points 3y ago
Recruiter here with a visually impaired family member. Like so many, you're at a cross-roads in your career (with an extra hurdle). The place to start is thinking about the skills you are good at - think broadly. Are you good at organizing (physical spaces, people, plans), customer service (helping people with a variety of questions or just specific things), etc.
A liberal arts degree is a good degree --- and like any degree it shows you can follow directions (which is what most degrees really signify within a few years). More education often means more debt rather than the ability to get your dream job right away. Figure out what skills you have naturally and begin thinking about what jobs can use them.
Receptionist, front desk, and office manager jobs are often in abundance but as people are shifting to work-from-home, look at lateral jobs. Jobs with the titles assistant, coordinator, and specialist will often pull up jobs with lateral skill sets. There may be a coordinator-level job in an HR department where you special knowledge of being blind can help with accommodations for other employees. Or an assistant role to schedule meetings, place orders, and support a small department or executive where you can use technologies that support your personal needs.
If you are in the US, all companies must make reasonable accommodations so apply and get through most of the first round interview to feel out the company before bringing up your visual impairments.
A liberal arts degree is a good degree --- and like any degree it shows you can follow directions (which is what most degrees really signify within a few years). More education often means more debt rather than the ability to get your dream job right away. Figure out what skills you have naturally and begin thinking about what jobs can use them.
Receptionist, front desk, and office manager jobs are often in abundance but as people are shifting to work-from-home, look at lateral jobs. Jobs with the titles assistant, coordinator, and specialist will often pull up jobs with lateral skill sets. There may be a coordinator-level job in an HR department where you special knowledge of being blind can help with accommodations for other employees. Or an assistant role to schedule meetings, place orders, and support a small department or executive where you can use technologies that support your personal needs.
If you are in the US, all companies must make reasonable accommodations so apply and get through most of the first round interview to feel out the company before bringing up your visual impairments.
sageofmay [OP] 1 points 3y ago
First of all, thank you for the detailed advice. I've seen you comment on several other posts like this, and it's very helpful. It looks like I need to seriously evaluate my skill sets and the like.
That said, a lot of those jobs you mentioned require at least one year of office experience, at least from what I've seen online. Do you have recommendation on how to get that sort of experience? From what you've described, HR seems most interesting, but I am willing to get my feet wet in other areas too.
That said, a lot of those jobs you mentioned require at least one year of office experience, at least from what I've seen online. Do you have recommendation on how to get that sort of experience? From what you've described, HR seems most interesting, but I am willing to get my feet wet in other areas too.
scaram0uche 1 points 3y ago
Job postings are a list of the perfect candidate but there is no such thing. You definitely won't get the job if you don't apply. Apply if you think you have at least 50% of the skills and can learn the rest. It is on the employer to decide what they absolutely require and what they are flexible with - let them decide. Apply and don't worry about it (check your spam folder but don't spend all day waiting for a response).
And you do have 1+ year of experience doing those basic skills - you went to college! You had to be organized, timely, handle projects, and write throughout your time in college!
And you do have 1+ year of experience doing those basic skills - you went to college! You had to be organized, timely, handle projects, and write throughout your time in college!
blind_cowboy 2 points 3y ago
You’ve gotten some good advise here but I have 1 question that hasn’t been asked. What do you want to do? If you want to dedicate yourself to translation then put all of your abilities towards doing just that. Same if you want to go in a different direction but don’t do something that you won’t be happy with.
On the translation front I think some of the transcription sites offer contract opportunities.
On the translation front I think some of the transcription sites offer contract opportunities.
sageofmay [OP] 1 points 3y ago
That's the million dollar question. I don't know if it's the shock of my vision worsening or having little luck in finding a job, but I can't seem to decide what I want to do. My head is filled with things I want as an end result - like supporting myself financially and living independently. Maybe it's because I am pressed for time.
If it's not too much trouble, can I ask about your experiences?
If it's not too much trouble, can I ask about your experiences?
blind_cowboy 1 points 3y ago
Sorry my mind gets stuck on something and I keep looking for solutions. So instead of starting over let’s see what other directions you could go in.
First how much do you need physical interactions with others? That could both determine where you look and how hard a job is to find. The second thing to consider is do you want a 9-5 job or what about going contract or freelance.
So here are some options. Someone already mentioned teaching but let’s put a twist on it. I am not sure what it pays but what about becoming an online English teacher or tutor for students in other countries wanting to learn English.
With an English degree you should be able to write. What about becoming a freelance writer? Getting hired to write articles, blogs for companies etc. and you could do it all from anywhere you had an internet connection.
Finally there is always online translation like I mentioned yesterday. I don’t know what it pays but I’ve read it’s more than transcription and people make a living on that.
Okay I’ll stop now.
First how much do you need physical interactions with others? That could both determine where you look and how hard a job is to find. The second thing to consider is do you want a 9-5 job or what about going contract or freelance.
So here are some options. Someone already mentioned teaching but let’s put a twist on it. I am not sure what it pays but what about becoming an online English teacher or tutor for students in other countries wanting to learn English.
With an English degree you should be able to write. What about becoming a freelance writer? Getting hired to write articles, blogs for companies etc. and you could do it all from anywhere you had an internet connection.
Finally there is always online translation like I mentioned yesterday. I don’t know what it pays but I’ve read it’s more than transcription and people make a living on that.
Okay I’ll stop now.
blind_cowboy 1 points 3y ago
As far as finding a job goes it’s unfortunately going to be slow going no matter how you go about it or what field you choose.
I think it’s time for an excel sheet. Give yourself a pros and cons column for each path your considering. Obviously in the pros column for translation your degree is related to it.
Once you’ve finished it and you have everything written in front of you it’s much easier to decide using the points you made while leaving emotion and frustration out of it.
I think it’s time for an excel sheet. Give yourself a pros and cons column for each path your considering. Obviously in the pros column for translation your degree is related to it.
Once you’ve finished it and you have everything written in front of you it’s much easier to decide using the points you made while leaving emotion and frustration out of it.
sageofmay [OP] 1 points 3y ago
No need to apologize for the spacing! I understood what you were saying.
And what a story. It definitely sounds like you had your share of ups and downs. It's amazing that you've pulled through and is moving forward though. I can definitely learn a thing or two from that. The Excel sheet is a great idea, too. Thank you.
I have one more thing I'd like to ask before you go. How in the world did you go from making sales calls to data analyst? They sound so different.
And what a story. It definitely sounds like you had your share of ups and downs. It's amazing that you've pulled through and is moving forward though. I can definitely learn a thing or two from that. The Excel sheet is a great idea, too. Thank you.
I have one more thing I'd like to ask before you go. How in the world did you go from making sales calls to data analyst? They sound so different.
blind_cowboy 1 points 3y ago
Ask anything you like. Short answer I fell into it. JAWS didn’t work well with the software They used at the mew place I was working. My manager told me she was looking for someone to do some data analyzation and asked if I would give it a shot. I hate phone work, this place was collections not sales which was even worse, so I jumped at the opportunity.
blind_cowboy 1 points 3y ago
Let’s see. I dropped out of college to become the first completely blind bull rider. I wasn’t quite that good and after a couple of years realized I needed to do something else with my life. I started out in sales in a call center hoping to get back into school. The commission was good but hated sales and had trouble believing in what I was selling. Finally in 06 I moved to Austin, started a job as a data analyst, and in 07 went back to school while working full time. That’s when life happened. I met my wife in 09,, bought my first house, and dominoes began to fall. Austin decided with about 2 months notice to change their public transportation routs that had been in place for 30 years when I bought my house. This would leave me 1.5 miles outside of public transportation. I took a semester off to fight that, lost, put the house up for rent, and moved so I would still have transportation to work. I went back to school for a semester, was almost done, but was to tired to do anything correctly. Long story short I ended up in kidney failure related to the genetic crap that made me blind, lost first transplant, in 2016 while waiting on a kidney wife said she would work while I focused on getting better, and now after a second transplant I am working my way through the curriculum on Free Code Camp hoping to get back in the workforce soon.
Sorry there were no paragraphs I just got to typing on my phone and it came out all together and that was probably much longer than what you were looking for.
Sorry there were no paragraphs I just got to typing on my phone and it came out all together and that was probably much longer than what you were looking for.
MostlyBlindGamer 2 points 3y ago
Just talked to someone in the industry for you.
Are you proficient in both language? If you're not completely confident, start there.
Is there any particular field your more knowledgeable about? People tend to discutisse in something like legal, financial, life sciences translation. Look into that.
Interpreting often happens in person and can rely on visual cues like body language. That can be a limitation.
There is absolutely no reason to mention you're visually impaired on your CV as a freelance translator. Just make sure to ask for searchable/editable source documents and don't accept scanned documents.
Learn CAT (computer stated translation) software. Get trials for SDL Studio and MemoQ and check if they're accessible for you.
Start freelancing and expect a hard time in the beginning, but never undervalue your work by accepting sub standard rates
Look for work on Pro-Z and Translator's Cafe and send your CV directly to translation and localization agencies and companies (look for them on LinkedIn).
I hope that gives you enough to work with. Let me know if you have any specific questions I can pass along.
Are you proficient in both language? If you're not completely confident, start there.
Is there any particular field your more knowledgeable about? People tend to discutisse in something like legal, financial, life sciences translation. Look into that.
Interpreting often happens in person and can rely on visual cues like body language. That can be a limitation.
There is absolutely no reason to mention you're visually impaired on your CV as a freelance translator. Just make sure to ask for searchable/editable source documents and don't accept scanned documents.
Learn CAT (computer stated translation) software. Get trials for SDL Studio and MemoQ and check if they're accessible for you.
Start freelancing and expect a hard time in the beginning, but never undervalue your work by accepting sub standard rates
Look for work on Pro-Z and Translator's Cafe and send your CV directly to translation and localization agencies and companies (look for them on LinkedIn).
I hope that gives you enough to work with. Let me know if you have any specific questions I can pass along.
sageofmay [OP] 2 points 3y ago
These are excellent points and I will work on translation on the side while looking for permanent work. Thank you!
I do have one question I'd like to ask your friend though. I am currently thinking about attending a medical interpreter class for certification, but he/she mentioned that interpreting can be challenging due to body language. Is going to this class a bad idea? It costs almost $1k, and I really don't want to dump my money on something I'd regret.
I do have one question I'd like to ask your friend though. I am currently thinking about attending a medical interpreter class for certification, but he/she mentioned that interpreting can be challenging due to body language. Is going to this class a bad idea? It costs almost $1k, and I really don't want to dump my money on something I'd regret.
MostlyBlindGamer 1 points 3y ago
So, first that should be a lightweight specialization.
If money weren't an issue, it would always be worth. As it is, you could speak to the school, hopefully the people teaching the class, about your possible limitations and get their input.
It would be great if you could sit in for a class and get a feel for it. They might be willing to make that accommodation for you.
You should check the syllabus for this, but, at the end of the day, even if you're not comfortable interpreting, all the terminology you'll learn will be useful for medical translation, so you'd always be getting something out of it.
If money weren't an issue, it would always be worth. As it is, you could speak to the school, hopefully the people teaching the class, about your possible limitations and get their input.
It would be great if you could sit in for a class and get a feel for it. They might be willing to make that accommodation for you.
You should check the syllabus for this, but, at the end of the day, even if you're not comfortable interpreting, all the terminology you'll learn will be useful for medical translation, so you'd always be getting something out of it.
sageofmay [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Observing the class would be difficult since it's 4 hours away and seasonal. But on brighter note, I did talk to the school's disability services and they are willing to accommodate me. Money is tight at the moment like for everyone, but ... Well, I will think more on it.
Again, thanks for the sound advice.
Again, thanks for the sound advice.
MostlyBlindGamer 1 points 3y ago
I understand. It's always a difficult decision.
Good luck! Let me know if you need anything else.
Good luck! Let me know if you need anything else.
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