The Ohio State University

www.osu.edu

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

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

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.

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

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/

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

Internship Opportunities

Internships Available through the American Red Cross’ Columbus Chapter!

Looking for opportunities to get involved with the American Red Cross and add to your resume? Scroll down for information about promoting the ARC by distributing flyers about the services offered by the organization.

Also, position descriptions are below concerning the two PAID internships from September 2008-May 2009. If interested, please send your resume to Bradley Beer by May 25th:

Human Resources
American Red Cross Blood Services
Attn: Bradley Beer
995 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43205
Fax: 614-253-6769
E-mail: brcolumbushr@usa.redcross.org

Minority Market Blood Donor Recruitment Intern Position

Purpose:

To assist the Minority Market Researcher with various activities relating to minority blood drives in the Franklin County Area.

Key responsibilities:

· Assist with all activities pertaining to diversity blood drives including: publicizing the blood drives, distributing marketing materials, delivering recruitment materials, working at blood drives, recruiting donors, assisting with signage and promotion at drives, educating prospective donors, and helping to coordinate other misc. details relating to goal achievement of the drives

· Assist with prospecting for new blood drive locations and new sponsor groups

· Work with ARC staff, Diversity Coalition members, volunteers, donors, and coordinators on blood drive-related activities

· Provide additional assistance to Minority Market Researcher as necessary

Time Commitment:

Approximately 10-15 hours per week with weekend commitments. Length of the internship will be the 2008-2009 school year. Shift hours are mutually agreed upon and can vary based on blood drive schedules, needs of Minority Market Researcher and individual.

Time Commitment:

Relationships:

· Reports to Minority Market Researcher for on-the-job training and supervision

· Close interaction with other paid and volunteer staff. Support could also be provided to other Red Cross departments

Qualifications:

· Dependable and responsible

· Sales, marketing, communications/public relations, or other related major preferred

· Must be able to work weekends

· Ability to work independently

· Various office/computer skills necessary

Required Training:

Orientation provided by the Office of Volunteers and specific task training by Donor Recruitment Representative and/or other Red Cross employees

Benefits

· $800 every three months

· Receive training and sales/marketing experience to enhance a portfolio

· Meet new people/network with other professionals, ARC staff, students, and volunteers

· Gain valuable career experience

· Acquire recommendations for applications to future paid and volunteer positions

· Opportunity to be part of a large international organization that helps saves lives

Diversity Outreach Event Planner Intern

Purpose:

To help the American Red Cross Blood Services connect with minority organizations in the Franklin County area, including groups at colleges, churches, and social service agencies, community organizations through the Diversity Task Force to build our donor base.

Key responsibilities:

· Attend all diversity task force meetings and other additional event planning meetings for upcoming events such as The Youth Summit and the Meet and Greet

· Record Minutes for all meetings and actively participate in all aspects action agenda items for planning community events by the Diversity Task Force

· Work with the Diversity Task Force to present information to minority organizations to educate them on the importance of blood donation and involvement

· Research community organizations, churches and service agencies for potential partnerships

Relationships:

· Reports to Donor Recruitment Representative for training and supervision

· Meetings, presentations or events may require local travel

· Training will include learning about the American Red Cross and the blood donation process and the significance of minority participation

Qualifications:

· Excellent organizational skills

· Good communication and data gathering skills

· Strong public speaking and presentation skills

· Ability to work with diverse populations

· Professional personal appearance, demeanor

· Detail-oriented with excellent follow through

Required Training:

Two hour new volunteer Orientation provided by the Office of Volunteer & Community Resources. On-the-job training instituted by Donor Recruitment Representative

Suggested Training:

· Background working with diverse populations

· Contacts within minority communities would be helpful but is not necessary

Benefits:

· $800 every three months

· Hone communication/public speaking skills

· Earn documented service hours

· Take on leadership responsibilities through volunteerism

· Meet new people/network with other professionals

· Help to give the gift of life to others through recruiting/educating potential blood donors and the public

Please contact Deborah Carvalho (carvalhod@usa.redcross.org) with questions regarding the internships.

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 keck.48@osu.edu if you need the information in an accessible format.