On Wednesday, 22 July, about 100 people gathered at the NAB Village in Melbourne for the Employment Pathways Exhibition.
People who are blind or have low vision were able to meet and network with corporate organisations and universities and get practical job-seeking skills they can use right away while exploring the career pathways available to them.
“The energy and interaction in the room was fantastic,” said Kelly Swanson, Vision Australia Events Officer. “It was bustling with activity and engagement.”
“Many people said they came feeling a little anxious and uncertain and left feeling optimistic about finding work. Some people said that they had given up looking for work altogether and now felt re-engaged and positive about their futures. It was the ideal outcome,” Kelly concluded.
Another highlight of the evening came from guest speaker and ABC News Journalist Nastasia Campanella. Nastasia shared her experiences about being blind and searching for employment.
“You need to be somewhat prepared for disappointment because it’s not easy. But most importantly you need to stick to your guns,” Nastasia advised.
“If there is a particular job that you are desperate to do then stick to it and make someone understand that you are good for this role – you’re driven, you’re enthusiastic, passionate and you’ve got what it takes to be there and they will take you on,” Nastasia said.
“You need to be open minded, honest (about your disability) and you need to make the prospective employer feel comfortable. Comfortable enough so they can ask questions about your disability so they are fully informed when they are making a decision about whether to employ you,” she concluded.
Find out more about Vision Australia’s Employment Assistance, or register your interest on the Employment Pathways Exhibition page.
People who are blind or have low vision were able to meet and network with corporate organisations and universities and get practical job-seeking skills they can use right away while exploring the career pathways available to them.
“The energy and interaction in the room was fantastic,” said Kelly Swanson, Vision Australia Events Officer. “It was bustling with activity and engagement.”“Many people said they came feeling a little anxious and uncertain and left feeling optimistic about finding work. Some people said that they had given up looking for work altogether and now felt re-engaged and positive about their futures. It was the ideal outcome,” Kelly concluded.
Another highlight of the evening came from guest speaker and ABC News Journalist Nastasia Campanella. Nastasia shared her experiences about being blind and searching for employment.
“You need to be somewhat prepared for disappointment because it’s not easy. But most importantly you need to stick to your guns,” Nastasia advised.
“If there is a particular job that you are desperate to do then stick to it and make someone understand that you are good for this role – you’re driven, you’re enthusiastic, passionate and you’ve got what it takes to be there and they will take you on,” Nastasia said.
“You need to be open minded, honest (about your disability) and you need to make the prospective employer feel comfortable. Comfortable enough so they can ask questions about your disability so they are fully informed when they are making a decision about whether to employ you,” she concluded.
Find out more about Vision Australia’s Employment Assistance, or register your interest on the Employment Pathways Exhibition page.