Looking for work that will work With my disability

Kevin P. on September 22, 2012

Career Management, Job Search, Work/Life/Cancer Balance

Hello my name is Kevin. I am a 20 year brain cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with ependymoma  brain  cancer in may of 1992. I was 11 then and am 31 now. Soon after surgery I lost hearing in my right ear. Three years ago I begin wearing a hearing aid in my left ear. Since then my hearing has progressively gotten worse. I am a security guard and my work duties have become increasingly hard due to my poor hearing. Also I have had anxiety and depression since my surgery. This also puts a strain on work. Due to long hours and ever changing schedules. I have applied for jobs. But they require work  beyond my limitations. I have gone to college 2 year for pc hardware and software tech. I can find  no jobs In this field. Im wondering if there is job placement for survivors, or you can point me in the right direction. Thank you!


2 Comments

Image of Sarah Goodell

Sarah Goodell

Sep 24, 2012

Cancer and Careers Staff Comment:

Hi Kevin,

We hear from many people who are looking for a resource that helps survivors find jobs, but unfortunately we don't know of a singular resource that does this. You might want to consider flexible work options, and a great website to find those kind of opportunities is flexjobs.com. It is a paid jobs listing site, but you can get 50% off by entering the code CANCER. 

I have sent your question over to one of our career coaches who will get back to you shortly. I hope that this is helpful and please let me know if you have any other questions.

Best,

Sarah, Cancer and Careers Program Coordinator

Image of Julie Jansen

Julie Jansen

Sep 24, 2012

Career Coach Comment:

Hi Kevin,


I am so sorry you are experiencing this frustration. I commend you for going back to school. Candidly, it sounds as if you need to identify another type of job that would be a fit for your skills, interests and personality, as well as your disability. There are many books that have easy to answer questionnaires in them to help you focus in on what you can do work-wise. The Pathfinder, Do What You Are (based upon your Myers Briggs Type - personalitytype.com) and mine, I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This.


You are young and will be working for a long time and so it's important to identify work that will be interesting and comfortable for you. There are 85,000 different types of jobs and most people just aren't familiar with what these are.


Once you decide upon 2-3 possible jobs, then you can network with people who are in those jobs to find openings.


Good luck!


Julie

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