Finding Employment After Graduating College
- Emily T
- Jan 28, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 6, 2025
Once a student graduates from an inclusive post-secondary education program, their goal will be to find a job. Just like any student attending college, the hope is their education will provide increased opportunities for work. This article provides a starting point for conversation regarding ways to support individuals with disabilities seeking employment after college graduation.
Vocational rehabilitation or VR services support individuals with physical or mental disabilities find a job. A teacher, parent, or Medicaid waiver case manager can refer an individual to VR services. Individuals can even refer themselves to receive VR services (Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services, 2025).
Vocational rehabilitation services (Grigal & Hart, 2010; Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services, 2025)
Job Coaching
Assistive devices to complete work tasks
Employment interests and skills
Finding a job
Career advancement
Re-entering employment
Other services an individual needs to be able to work
Employment Resources for Specific Diagnoses
Blind and visual impairments
Mental health diagnoses
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Community rehabilitation providers (CRPs) or Adult Employment Service Agencies (Grigal & Hart, 2010)
Vocational rehabilitation services (VRS) can refer individuals to CRPs to provide them with support for job searching and long-term or ongoing job coaching.
My Path is a comprehensive life coaching and career counseling services program owned by Nate Evens that offers support for individuals with disabilities. It is located in Minnesota. Service areas may include career exploration, post-secondary education & training prep, pre-employment skills, life skills, employment skills, and disability advocate consultation. All services are designed and implemented with the common theme of accomplishing a client's goals. My Path’s Mission Statement is to build confidence and independence in individuals with disabilities while fostering the courage and perseverance to accomplish their goals. To accomplish this mission, prospective clients and their families will work one-on-one with their My Path Employment Specialist through a person-centered process to find a “path” to follow, leading to a fulfilling and rewarding life and career. My Path provides similar services as CRPs as it acts a community partner with VRS. The My Path website can be found below:
General job search tool for Indiana:
Employment-related resources for individuals with disabilities:
Ticket to Work Program - provided by the Social Security Administration
The Ticket to Work program aims to reduce the reliance on disability benefits from social security and increase independence through employment (How it works, n.d.). To qualify, an individual must be aged 18-64 years old and receive Social Security disability insurance or supplemental security income. Employment networks provide services to help individuals who are beneficiaries of social security income find work. Services may include vocational rehabilitation and employment networks. The individual must make “timely progress,” meaning they will carry out the terms of an agreement related to the necessary steps to be trained and find work as they are being provided services.
An individual can continue to receive social security benefits until they earn an income higher than the earnings limit according to their supplemental security income or social security disability insurance program. This amount will vary. Work incentives exist for individuals to obtain necessary benefits during the job search and while working. If an individual finds employment and is no longer receiving social security benefits, a work incentive called “Expedited Reinstatement” can allow the individual to start benefits again if they are no longer able to work due to their disability for some time.
For more information regarding the Ticket to Work program, please consult the Ticket to Work website (website) and the necessary professionals who can provide you with services. Work incentives program assistants, vocational rehabilitation agencies, and employment networks can also assist individuals with benefits counseling to consider all available options (How it works, n.d.).
Career One Stop Centers
Career one-stop centers can provide resources for individuals, including those with disabilities, over the age of 18 years old who are pursuing employment, including help with searching for a job, creating a resume, and building interviewing skills (Grigal & Hart, 2010). Vocational rehabilitation services can also be located at these centers to provide support (Grigal & Hart, 2010).
Helpful information can be found on the following website regarding support for individuals with disabilities:
References
Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services. (2025). Vocational rehabilitation/ employment. In.gov; State of Indiana. https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/rehabilitation-employment/vocational-rehabilitation-employment/
Grigal, M., & Hart, D. (2010). Think College! Postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company.
How it works. (n.d.). Choosework.sa.org; Social Security Administration. https://choosework.ssa.gov/about/how-it-works
How it works. (n.d.). Choosework.sa.org; Social Security Administration. https://choosework.ssa.gov/about/how-it-works
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