Starting work

There are many things to consider when you are about to start looking for work, or beginning a new job.

This section will help you to identify the people who can advise you about career choices, help with interview preparation, give guidance about work experience and volunteering and advise about the support mechanisms available, such as the Access to Work scheme.

Apprenticeships

An Apprenticeship is a great way to learn on the job alongside experienced people while studying for a nationally recognised qualification. In this section you can find out more about getting on to an apprenticeship and the support you can get.

Work experience and volunteering

Work experience and volunteering are a crucial part of moving on and allows you to have hands-on experience of what it's like to work in different environments. Learn how work experience can benefit your CV, how to find opportunities and how the Access to Work scheme could support your placement on our Work experience and volunteering pages.

The RNIB internship programme

RNIB's internship programme offers you a unique opportunity to be part of our organisation and gain valuable experience in the work place.

You will be working on a specific project and will gain insight into working in a large charity, valuable skills and work experience to help your career.

We currently run internships twice a year. You can apply in August for a Mid September start or March for an April start. Our internships are part time, 12 weeks long and take place in our offices across the UK.

Find out more about our internship programme here.

Finding a Careers Adviser

Our services across the UK, all provide similar support for you, if you are looking for advice and guidance about employment visit our finding a careers advisor pages for further information in relation to where you live.

Disability Confident scheme

Some employers are signed up to the Disability Confident scheme. The scheme is designed to help employers recruit and retain disabled people and people with health conditions for their skills and talent. Find out more about this scheme, as well as a list of employers who are signed up to it.

Talking to your employers about your sight problem

When you are applying for jobs you need to think about if and when you plan to tell your employer about your sight condition. There aren't any rules about this and you don't have to tell an employer if you don't want to. It is up to you to decide at what point in applying for a job you choose to discuss it. Find out more about the benefits to talking to your employer about your sight condition. 

Interview skills and top tips

Going to a job interview can be a stressful experience, but you will find it much easier if you have spent time preparing in advance. Read our top tips for attending an interview.

Further help and support with starting work

As you move through your journey from school and beyond you'll be entitled to different benefits and financial assistance because of your sight condition. Find out more about the financial support you can get when starting work and useful contacts for further advice.

RNIB provide specialist support and advice to help you find employment, start your own business, or stay in work if you are losing your sight. Services are delivered via our Helpline. To find out more, please contact:

• RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 999 or email [email protected].

Moving onto employment

Tom Church has recently started work as an Operations Executive for Tesco. 

• Transcript of Tom's transition video (Word)

This is your future - A career guide for disabled students, by disabled students

This guide - produced by Leonard Cheshire Disability - provides you with the information that you need to kickstart your career. It was written by and for disabled students.

• This is your future - A career guide for disabled students, by disabled students (PDF)

Leonard Cheshire's internship programme

Leonard Cheshire run an internship programme which brings together the UK’s top employers and talented disabled students. Details of the programme can be found at the Leonard Cheshire website.

DWP guidance for young disabled people looking to find and stay in work

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) have produced a guide to help young disabled people find and stay in work. It includes advice on role models, careers advice, Disability Employment Advisers, workplace training, adjustments in the workplace, higher education, work experience and more.

You can download the guide "Help and support for young disabled people to find and stay in work" from GOV.UK.

Disability Rights UK have created a guide for people who acquire a disability or health condition

Visit the Council for Disabled Children to download this guide, which looks at the training, employment and educational options that are open to young people.