Keeping up Your Technology Skills May Make a Difference in Your Employment Outlook

With advancing technology, the playing field in the work force is leveling for people with disabilities. Computer, i Phone and other adaptive skills make it possible for you to work, where you may not have had opportunities before, sharpen and maintain your technology skills. Doing this may mean the difference between whether you get and keep a job.

Are you looking for a job? Find ways to use your newly learned i Phone or computer skills. Even if you’re not working, determine ways to maintain these skills. You might consider helping with social media publicity for your local community advocacy organization. Or, volunteer at an agency that appeals to your interests and career goals.  At that agency, ask management what help is needed, perhaps data entry or researching funding opportunities. In this way, you will be able to regularly utilize your technology skills and keep them sharp for when that anticipated job comes along.

Offer to keep your organization’s Facebook page current. No one was keeping the Facebook page of the Metro PDX Chapter, orginated in 2010, up-to-date. The president of the chapter asked whether a member would take on this job.update Now that  a member has volunteered to do ,  chapter events may receive greater publicity as well as greater participation.

Create your own Twitter or Facebook accounts. Stay in touch with family and friends while using your computer and i Phone skills. This will help you keep abreast of current events, a must for making conversation in the work world. You may also be in the right place at the right time to follow-up on a job lead someone mentions in a news feed.

Create an account on Linked In. At a job fair recently, I learned that recruiters really do follow Linked In activity. One of the recruiters even mentioned that this was how she got her job. Her employer recruited her through her Linked In profile.

Get involved in an innovative program to demonstrate your work ethic and creativity. In 2014, Cory did. He took Startup Weekends by storm by demonstrating how to make them universally accessible. Through technology, and training his nondisabled peers about the endless possibilities of innovation, Portland’s Startup Weekend was totally accessible. Consequently, several diverse individuals showcased their innovative products and services to an enthusiastic group.

Being aware of concepts, ideas and innovations, Cory and Darian were able to share news-breaking information about GPS and visual images in smart canes that are on the horizon. Smart Canes that locate peers in crowds may further improve the abilities of workers who are blind to mingle and network in social and work environments. Despite what some people may think, this is an essential part of work success.

In summary, technology skills are essential in today’s work place. Develop, maintain and build on your technology skills. This may prove to be your ace in the hole when it comes to getting or keeping a job.