5 Ways Technology Can Help You Advance in Your Career

 

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5 Ways Technology Can Help You Advance in 

Your Career

 by guest blogger Hazel Bridges

When you think of technology and its relationship to your career, you might first think of the internet and how it can help you find employment opportunities or do research for a project. But technology can be used for much more than that—it can also help you learn new skills, start a business, and advance in your career. LDASC shares five ways technology can help you reach your professional goals when you live with a disability:

1. Take Online Courses To Learn New Skills

The internet is that it provides access to a wealth of educational resources. If you want to learn new skills or gain knowledge in a specific area, consider taking an online course.

Many online courses are self-paced, so you can work at your own pace, and many are offered for free or at a low cost. Once you've completed a course, you can add it to your resume or LinkedIn profile to show potential employers that you're always learning and expanding your skillset.

Speaking of LinkedIn, you’ll want to source up your profile as you prepare for the next step in your career. Your LinkedIn page should include a concise description of your expertise and accomplishments, as well as a high-quality photo. You might even invest in a premium plan to send other professionals direct messages and grow your network!

2. Start a Home-Based Business

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, why not start a home-based business? Thanks to technology, it's easier than ever to get a business up and running quickly and efficiently. You can use the internet to create a website or online store, market your products or services, and connect with customers and clients. And if you run into any roadblocks along the way, there are plenty of online resources to help you troubleshoot and get back on track.

3. Use Assistive Technologies

Today, a range of assistive technologies are helping professionals with disabilities overcome barriers and succeed in their careers. For example, there are text-to-speech tools to read text aloud, screen-reading software to provide spoken feedback for on-screen content, and software to magnify text and images on a screen.

There are also mobile apps designed specifically for people with disabilities—such as voice-activated controls for phones and tablets—that can make it easier to use digital devices. When combined with other accommodations like flexible work hours or telecommuting arrangements, assistive technologies can help level the playing field so that people with disabilities can compete for jobs and flourish.

4. Find Employment Opportunities Online                                                                                              

Searching for a job is one of the most common uses of the internet—and for good reason. The majority of job openings are now posted online, which means you have access to more opportunities than ever before. Not only that, but you can also research companies and specific positions that align with your skills and interests.

Before you get too deep into your job hunt, revisit your resume to ensure it’s up to the task. Your resume should showcase your most recent achievements, experience, and skills, and you can start with a resume maker. This type of tool makes it easy to create a professional-looking resume out of a premade template; simply choose a design you like and add your own copy, images, and colors.

5. Keep Your Professional Network Strong                

Social media platforms like LinkedIn provide an easy way to stay connected with your professional network, even if everyone isn't able to meet in person regularly. You can use LinkedIn to request introductions to new connections, endorse peers for their skills and experience, join industry groups, participate in discussions, share articles and other content relevant to your field, and much more. Stay active on LinkedIn (and other social media platforms), and you'll be top of mind when networking opportunities arise.

Conclusion                                                            

Technology plays an essential role in helping professionals with disabilities overcome barriers and achieve success in their careers. Remember to use online resources to start a business or find employment opportunities, research the assistive technologies available, and follow the other tips above to position yourself for success. Technology provides many opportunities for people with disabilities to pursue fulfilling careers—it just takes some creativity and resourcefulness to seize them!

 

Would you like to read more helpful content or learn about how our organization supports families impacted by learning disabilities? Visit LDASC.org today!