Career Resources

The ODS Career Resources Page is designed to provide access to career information and resources available in the OSU university community and beyond.

Click the links below to navigate this page:

Disability Disclosure

The Americans with Disability's Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. It also limits the information employers can obtain from a job applicant.  The only exception to this is that a government agency can ask an applicant to voluntarily disclose a disability for affirmative action purposes. Otherwise, if you encounter specific questions about your disability or medical history, what should you do? Do you have a visible disability? Perhaps you should give an explanation of how you can do the job. Do you have an invisible disability? Perhaps you should leave the question blank on the application. Although this seems risky, this can give you the opportunity to explain why you did not answer the questions instead of why you intentionally gave false answers. Keep in mind; you should focus on your abilities to perform the essential functions of the job, not your disabilities. How you promote yourself in the interview is what will be key in determining if you are the right candidate to do the job they want done. According to Job Interviews for Dummies (*1) (see cite below), it is okay to:

  • “Ask to give a demonstration of how you can complete aspects of the job. It if is practical, bring your own equipment (including software, hardware, assistive technology/ adaptive equipment”, AND do not anticipate being able to install into the employers system).
  • “If it is impractical, recount an experience or example from your last job that describes how you were able to complete the task(s).”
  • “Anticipate essentials to job performance (anything in the job description) the interviewer may be worried about- such as physical mobility, safety and motor coordination. If you have a vision impairment or hearing impairment, expect some concerns that you’ll miss visual or aural cues essential to job performance- Also, explain how you’ve adapted in these areas or will overcome obstacles.”
  • “Utilize references who can testify your abilities to do the job (previous teachers, counselors, employers, supervisors, etc…).”

Keep in mind that once disclosed, the employer may ask additional questions about the disability and/or require information regarding the individual’s ability to safely perform the essential functions of the job. In general, the information revealed has to be kept confidential.

Job Interviews for Dummies also has other ideas to help promote yourself to employers including:

  • Promise that your requirements for the job are minimal and give examples of how your skills will merit the company’s small investment.
  • Offer to provide some of your own software and equipment- you are not required to do so but the offer shows serious interest in contributing to the company. Keep in mind that agencies such as the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation or Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) are eager to work with you to provide workplace accommodations such as software, hardware, environmental modifications to assist you in obtaining and maintaining employment. Employers are aware of this and can receive a tax benefit as they work with agency. You can also provide a list of companies and contact information of places that sell assistive technology and adaptive equipment.
  • Try not to act demanding because you think the ADA is protecting you. A bad attitude will not get hired. Also do not cite the ADA laws and requirements or threaten legal action. Again, bad attitudes will not get hired and employers tend to stay away from the litigious types.  

So what should you do? Be aware of your rights. Be ready to sell your abilities and what you can bring to the company. Do a good resume and cover letter. Review them twice. Then have someone else review them. Practice interviewing and complete mock interviews. Practice disability related questions in the mock interviews. Utilize your local resources such as your Departmental Career Services for Opportunities/ Job Fairs in your desired field. Career Connections is another on campus resource that can assist you from career development to the interview. BVR/ BSVI can assist you with job development, placement, and job related accommodations and modifications.

What are your rights in job interviews? Do you have other questions that you would like to see answered? Visit the Labor Department’s Office of Disability Employment here http://www.dol.gov/odep/faqs/main.htm.

Kennedy, Jyce Lain. Job Interviews for Dummies. 3rd Edition, pages 277-278.  Wiley Publishing, 2008.

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Campus Career Information

OSU Career Connections is Available for your Career Services Needs!

Career Connection’s Vision

The vision of Career Connections is to empower students to make lifelong, responsible and meaningful choices in a global and dynamic world.

Career Connection’s Mission

The mission of Career Connections is to serve the career development needs of OSU students by providing high quality and diversity-sensitive services through counseling, consultation and lasting partnerships, designed to facilitate learning and advance well-being, purpose, identity development and citizenship.

We assist students achieve successful outcomes by:

  • Connecting students' interests, values, skills and personality with the world of work.
  • Aiding development of students' interests by exploring various majors and careers.
  • Encouraging students to test their ideas with internships, informational interviews, volunteering, and extracurricular activities.
  • Providing customized attention to resumes, vitas, job search letters, and interviewing skills.
  • Listening and helping with personal concerns that relate to career decisions.
  • Assisting students' implementation of decisions by learning how to conduct a job search or plan for graduate or professional school.
  • Informing students about the University's employment assistance services.

How to Find Career Connection

You can find us on the second floor of the Younkin Success Center (1640 Neil Avenue).  Career Counselors are available by appointment or during walk-in hours on:

  • Monday & Wednesday from 2 – 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday & Thursday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Friday 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

To schedule an appointment, call (614) 688-3898. Appointment hours are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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University Career Services Information

Career services at OSU are decentralized.  Instead of one office handling all career services, there are several, each specializing in a particular area, typically broken down by major.  Below are some examples:

  • Career Connection - Provides walk in career counseling, assistance with exploring majors, internships, creating resumes, etc. They are located in the Younkin Center, 688-3898.
  • University Career Services - This website is designed to steer you in the right direction for your career services needs by providing information on where to go and who to see, depending on your major.
  • EDU PAES 270.02 - For more in depth career/major exploration, this might be the classroom option for you!  It is offered most quarters and is designed to introduce students to potential careers and majors available at Ohio State.

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Career Resource Links

  • Job Accommodation Network - A useful site with job hunting tips, ideas for accommodations broken down by disability, links for adaptive equipment, and ADA information.
  • Rehabilitation Services Commission (BVR/BSVI) - A state agency that provides employment related services to people with disabilities, including training, job placement, job coaching, and job related accommodations.
    ODS has established the following contacts:
    • Zandia Galvin - BVR - all disabilities except visual impairments.
      (614) 466-4575
    • Danielle Driscoll - BSVI - for people with visual impairments.
      (614) 466-7730
    A registered Disability Services student can contact ODS counselor Chris Keck at 292-3307 or email at ckeck@studentlife.osu.edu for a referral to BVR/ BSVI.
  • Center for Vocational Alternatives (COVA) - provides job placement services for people with mental illness, including Benefits Analysis (review of what you can make in a job if you receive SSI or SSDI), and Rehabilitation Readiness (series of classes offered for free for people with mental illness entering or re-entering the workforce—classes focus on resources, what you need to know, dealing with your disability in the workplace, interviewing tips, etc.) (614) 294-7117.

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Job Opportunities

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Internship Opportunities

Summer Internships for Students with Disabilities!

The American Association of People with Disabilities is looking for college students with disabilities to apply for: The 2009 Summer Internships for Students with Disabilities in Washington, D.C. Accepted candidates will spend the summer in Washington, DC, working either in Congressional offices or the IT Divisions of Federal Government Agencies. Roundtrip airfare, accessible housing, and a living stipend will be provided to each intern. To apply or for more information, visit http://www.aapd.com/internships.html.

Internships Available Through Entry Point!

ENTRY POINT!, a program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is offering outstanding internship opportunities for students with disabilities in science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and some fields of business. To meet the challenge of the competitive global economy in the new millennium, private industry and government research agencies must expand the pool of technical talent. For more information, please visit www.entrypoint.org.

Please apply for internship opportunities online at www.entrypoint.org. Entry Point will be coming to OSU in the future. If you are interested in more information, please contact Enjie Hall at hall.1270@osu.edu or call 614-292-3307.

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Special Announcements and Events

Career Services has provided ODS students information sheets regarding the following information:

  • Disability Disclosure
  • Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace
  • Interviewing Tips
  • Issues and Answers in the Workplace

Please visit the bookcase in the Student Study Lounge in the ATTC Lab and help yourself to this beneficial information! Also, please contact Chris keck at ckeck@studentlife.osu.edu if you need the information in an accessible format.

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