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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
Campus Career Information
Career Resource Links
Job Opportunities
Internship Opportunities
Special Announcements and Events
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, Joyce Lain. Job Interviews for Dummies. 3rd Edition, pages 277-278. Wiley Publishing, 2008.
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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. You can visit their website at www.careerconnection.osu.edu.
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. http://www.careers.ohio-state.edu/
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.
http://coe.ohio-state.edu/paes/couned/270_Courses.htm
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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. http://www.jan.wvu.edu/
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. http://www.rsc.ohio.gov/index.asp
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 keck.48@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. http://www.cova.org/
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Job Opportunities
Bender Consulting - Various entry level positions f all over Ohio and US. Looking for college graduates. For current openings, click here: http://www.benderconsult.com/opp/current.html
For company info, click here: http://www.benderconsult.com/intro.html
Disability Jobsite.com - A link for job listings all over the US. There is a wide variety of options to choose from. http://www.disabilityjobsite.com/
HireDeaf.com - A link to employers and job openings for prospective employees that are deaf/hard of hearing. http://www.hiredeaf.com/
Idealist.org - A web site posting internship and job positions for non-profit agencies in Ohio and across the US. http://www.idealist.org/
Office for Disability Services
Openings for front line staff and alternative media production lab student worker positions: http://ods.osu.edu/current_employment.asp
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Internship Opportunities
The Ohio Legislative Service Commission
Legislative and Telecommunications Internship Program
The LSV Legislative and telecommunications Internship Program is a professional 13 month paid internship that offers college graduates as unparalleled opportunity to work with the Ohio General Assembly. Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree by December of 2008. The Legislative Internship Program welcomes all majors and prior political experience is not required, The Telecommunications Internship program applicants should have a related degree or comparable video production experience. Inters receive full State of Ohio employee benefits and are paid $24,500 per year, with the opportunity to earn a $2,000 bonus, Legislative applications are due (postmarked) by April 1, 2008: Telecommunications applications are due (postmarked) by May 31, 2008. **One change of note from previous years, we are now requiring applicants to submit all materials together as one complete application package.
Additional information can be found on the website at www.lsc.state.oh.us.
You can also meet with Chris Keck, counselor at the Office for Disability Services to review a brochure.
Kristen Rhee
Internship Coordinator
Rachel Walsh
Internship Coordinator
Internship Opportunities with the Wright Choice Internship Program
The mission of WrightChoice Intern Program is to "Build a bridge between resource & opportunity for minority students & students with “disABILITIES" by networking with local businesses and companies to provide internship opportunities to students. All interested applicants please email your resume to:
resumes@wrightchoice.org
RE: "OPERS HR Intern"
Contact Kendra Roberts at (614) 802-2364 with questions.
http://www.wrightchoice.org/
Idealist.org - A web site posting internship and job positions for non-profit agencies in Ohio and across the US. http://www.idealist.org/
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Special Announcements and Events
Wright Choice’s 2008 Pre-Professional Law Program Application Deadline Nears!
The summer of 2008, WrightChoice, Inc. will host a six week program that allows college minority students and students with disabilities who are interested in going to law school an opportunity to shadow lawyers and/or judges in various practice area and courts. This will allow students an opportunity to experience the legal profession and mentors a chance to groom future leaders.
Program Goals:
- To introduce minority students and/or students with disabilities to various legal practice areas
- To foster interaction between lawyers and judges and minority students and/or students with disabilities in a professional work setting
- To allow minority students and/or students with disabilities to observe various court proceedings/client interactions
- To create an open dialogue about law school requirements, legal career preparation and legal employer expectations between minority students and/or students with disabilities and legal practitioners
In this program, six students interested in pursuing a career in law will be chosen to rotate among corporate law firms, public interest law service providers, state trial courts, and state legal agencies for the six week period, allowing students to observe and be exposed to various types of law including, but not limited to, business (transactional), labor/employment, general litigation, domestic relations, government/ public sector, criminal, and general practice. Every two weeks, students will come together to discuss their placement experiences in the various rotation locations and any pre-conceived notions they had prior to their assignment. Along with the group discussion, students will also have the opportunity to talk with guest speakers in the legal field who are able to offer insight on any concerns or questions that they might have. At the end of the program, students will complete a final project that would summarize their overall summer experiences and outcomes for the program.
2008 Pre-Professional Law Program Requirements
Students interested in participating in program must…
1. Possess a minimum 3.0 GPA
2. Full time sophomore or junior status student at a four (4) year accredited college or university
3. Complete program application
4. Submit a 200-word letter stating candidate’s interest in Pre-Professional Law Program
5. Submit 2 letters of recommendation, on company letterhead speaking on Candidate’s:
a. Academic status
b. Professionalism
c. Timeliness
d. Responsibility
e. Analytical thought process
* 1 letter must come from current employer, community leader, or legal professional
* 1 letter must come from degree related college professor (ex. Finance student would receive a letter from finance instructor)
6. Submit contact information for three (3) professional reference (Name, employment title, address, phone number, and email address)
7. Submit current copy of resume
8. Submit official copy of university or college transcripts
Return completed application packets via mail or in person to:
WrightChoice, Inc.
Pre-Professional Law Program
6230 Busch Blvd. Suite 101
Columbus, OH 43229
All applications must be submitted by Friday, March 7, 2008 by 5pm. Please visit http://www.wrightchoice.org/students/ for additional information. Any questions or concerns, please call us at (614) 802-2364.
TyKiah Wright, MBA
Exec. Director/Founder
6230 Busch Blvd. Suite 101
Columbus, OH 43229
614.802.2364 vm
614.802.2361 fx
www.wrightchoice.org
WrightChoice customizes internships for students with disABILITIES.
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