Job and career fairs are a great way to connect with employers, learn about companies and find job openings that may be right for you.

When you attend a career fair in person, you may find yourself in an auditorium or other large space. Often there are hundreds of people competing for the attention of the companies' recruiters and representatives. Although career fairs are less formal than job interviews, following these 9 tips may help you stand out to potential employers and advance your job search.

1. Dress appropriately: A suit and tie may not be necessary, but you will want to look professional. For men, consider a shirt with a collar and khakis or dress pants. For women, a simple dress or blouse with either a skirt or dress pants works well. This type of attire shows potential employers that you're ready to be in a workplace environment. Because it may be a long day, consider wearing flat, comfortable shoes if you're walking.
2. Do your research: Some job fairs may have just a few companies in attendance – or there may be dozens of potential employers. Either way, you should look over the list of employers and research the companies that interest you. Think, in advance, of questions that you may want to ask about the industry, job responsibilities or the culture of the company. Find out how to research a company in our blog post, Have an Interview? Do Your Homework!

Interview Tips

After attending a career fair, you may identify jobs that you want to apply for and secure interviews.

Check out our other blog posts to find tips on impressing your interviewer:

• Can You Hear Me Now? Mastering the Phone Interview
• It's Your Turn: Questions to Ask During the Job Interview
• The Job Interview: It's More Than What You Say

3. Be positive: Approaching tables with a smile on your face and being willing to introduce yourself to the recruiters may help draw the representatives to you. The recruiters are there to talk with you and share why their company is a great place to work, so be positive and have fun learning more about companies and potential careers.
4. Set realistic expectations: Establish a few goals for a career fair, like connecting with a certain number of companies, handing out 10 resumes, or even identifying a few specific openings you'll apply for. But keep in mind that career fairs rarely offer the opportunity for more than a few minutes of discussion. Unless the career fair specifically advertises it, you won't be interviewing for any specific jobs during the event, so it's unlikely you'll receive a job offer simply by attending. It's when you follow up with recruiters after the event that you increase your opportunity to learn about job openings that may lead to a formal interview.
5. Be polite: When you approach a company's booth or table, don't interrupt a conversation that the recruiter is having. Wait at the table until they finish. While you're waiting, you can review any information that they may have set out on the table or go over the questions you'd like to ask them about the company.
6. Bring your resume: Companies may send human resources personnel, a recruiter or even hiring managers to career fairs. Having copies of your resume to hand out may help them identify opportunities within the company that may be a good fit for you. As you approach a company's booth or table, introduce yourself and give the recruiter your resume. As you discuss career opportunities, you can also refer to your resume, pointing out specific projects or jobs you've had that relate well to the positions available.
7. Prepare answers: While it's not likely you'll have a full interview at the fair, being able to answer questions about your skills and experience will help you make an impression with potential employers – and may lead to interviews and job offers after the fair. Before you attend the fair, consider past projects you've worked on, any awards and accomplishments you have, and even challenges or problems that you've solved.
8. Take notes: You'll be meeting with a lot of companies, so keeping a record of conversations is a good way to keep track of details to use later. After each conversation, take note of the recruiter's name as well as any specific topics you talked about, such as a specific position or certain skill set. You can use a notebook and pen to write down the information or pull out your phone to record a voice memo.
9. Get contact information – and follow up: Ask for business cards from each person you talk with so that you can contact them later. The day or week after the event, set aside time to go through each potential employer and contact the person you talked with. Keep in mind that recruiters meet many jobseekers during each event, so they may not be able to remember your conversation exactly. To stand out, include some specifics on what you talked about (your notes will help you with this), including types of positions available and certain skill sets that you possess that their company is looking for. If you're sending an email, attach your resume again. They may be able to send you specific job leads that fit your experience. Lastly, remember to thank them for their time.

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.

Attend a job fair in August to see what employers have to offer and are looking for as they seek to hire new employees.

Career fairs are an excellent way to start or advance your job search. They give you the chance to meet potential employers and learn about different job opportunities. The career fairs listed in this post are just a few of the offerings in August. Visit the organizers' websites for a full list of August career fairs to see if there's one near you.

If you're aware of an upcoming job fair that our readers would find helpful, email us at socialmedia@choosework.ssa.gov with the event name, dates and official website.

City Career Fairs (In Person)

City Career Fair's Diversity Employment Day (DED) career fairs provide the chance for local and national employers to meet and interview qualified candidates from diverse communities.

• August 8: Denver, CO
• August 22: Portland, OR

Choice Career Fairs (In person)

Choice Career Fairs organizes job and career fairs throughout the United States.

• August 2: Minneapolis, MN
• August 9: San Antonio, TX
• August 14: Lauderdale, FL
• August 16: Baltimore, MD
• August 23: Seattle, WA
• August 30: Washington, DC

Coast to Coast Career Fairs (In Person)

Coast to Coast Career Fairs holds numerous in-person career fairs across the country each month. To find a full list of career fairs by region, check out their calendar.

Diversity Career Group (In Person)

Diversity Career group focuses their career and job fairs on connecting employers and job seekers through sit-down conversations and even first-round job interviews. To find the full list of their events, visit the website and select "Career Fairs" at the top of the page.  

Hire Heroes USA Veterans Virtual Career Fair (Virtual)

Join Hire Heroes for this free online recruiting event open to all transitioning U.S. Military service members, veterans and military spouses.

• August 23

RecruitMilitary (In Person and Virtual)

RecruitMilitary seeks to tap into the extensive talent pool that veterans represent for employers.

• August 14: Western Region Virtual Career Fair
• August 16: Raleigh Veterans Job Fair
• August 21: Iowa Virtual Career Fair for Veterans

National Career Fairs (In Person)

National Career Fair holds free career fairs in over 130 cities each year.

• August 2: Detroit, MI
• August 7: Memphis, TN
• August 15: Tucson, AZ
• August 30: New Orleans, LA

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.

By Commissioner Chai Feldblum, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

People with disabilities can be vulnerable to discrimination in the workplace – both when applying for jobs and once they have a job. Hopefully, this will never happen to you. But it is important to know what actually constitutes discrimination, and what your rights and responsibilities are if you believe you have experienced discrimination on the basis of disability.

Jobseekers

Discrimination can come in various forms, including overt discrimination, lack of accessibility, or failure to provide reasonable accommodations. Examples of discrimination for potential applicants can include inaccessible job fairs, interviews, and pre-work tests. Job postings themselves may be inaccessible due to traditional advertising techniques such as web advertising or flyers. Some websites aren't accessible to readers for people with visual disabilities. Job postings on flyers may be posted in inaccessible locations and may be unreadable for people with reading or visual disabilities. Interviews and pre-work tests may be held at inaccessible locations and employers may be unwilling to relocate them, resulting in applicants with disabilities being automatically weeded out.

Employees

One can also face discrimination in the workplace. Some employers may not understand how to provide reasonable accommodations or deem the accommodations as unnecessary. Some may feel that the accommodations are too costly or cause too much disruption to the business or organization without investigating any alternatives. This can sometimes result in stigma, make an employee with a disability vulnerable to job loss, or reduce the ability of an employee with a disability to be promoted.

What you can do

If you believe you have been discriminated against, start by explaining your concerns to your employer (if you feel comfortable doing so) to see if you can resolve things amicably. If you believe you have been denied a reasonable accommodation, ask for a copy of the organization's reasonable accommodation procedures, and follow the steps outlined in the procedures to appeal a denial. You may also wish to document (i.e., write down with specific dates) exactly what happened to you. If you cannot resolve the issue on your own, you may wish to consult an attorney.

You also have the right to file a charge with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). For information on how to file a charge and the time limits to do so, you can visit the EEOC's website for more information at: https://www.eeoc.gov/employees/howtofile.cfm. If you believe you have been discriminated against by a federal agency in employment or applying for a position in the federal government, you have the right to file a complaint of discrimination with the EEOC office within the particular agency that took the employment action. Information on how the federal sector EEOC complaint process works can be found at: https://www.eeoc.gov/federal/fed_employees/complaint_overview.cfm.

People with disabilities deserve to work just like everyone else. We have bills to pay and we have the right to independence and a right to gain satisfaction with doing a job well. That's what true freedom is.

Below are some resources that may be helpful to you:

• EEOC (https://www.eeoc.gov)
• Job Accommodation Network (https://askjan.org)
• Ticket to Work (Ticket) service providers, like State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies, Employment Networks (ENs) and Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)
• The Ticket program Find Help tool can help you search for a Ticket program service provider.

About the Writer

Commissioner Chai Feldblum has served 2 terms as a Commissioner of the EEOC since April 2010. Throughout her career, Feldblum has focused on social justice issues at the federal level. She played a leading role in drafting and negotiating the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. Together with her colleague Commissioner Victoria Lipnic, Feldblum co-chaired a Select Task Force on the Study of Harassment in the Workplace, which resulted in a comprehensive report issued in 2016 on harassment prevention.

Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Learn more

To learn more, you can call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.

By Melanie Whetzel, M.A., CBIS Lead Consultant, Cognitive/Neurological Team, Job Accommodation Network

On July 16, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) discussed the 3 main reasons you might choose to disclose your disability to your employer or to a potential employer. Today, JAN returns to offer more information and some guidance on how to disclose your disability and request accommodations.

Even though many people struggle with the idea of disclosing a disability, disclosure can be quite simple and it can help you secure accommodations to help you succeed in the workplace. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there is no specific time frame for requesting an accommodation, but we recommend that you disclose your disability and request accommodations before you have difficulties on the job, or at least before they become serious and affect your performance. Open communication during disclosure and the accommodation process is probably the most direct and effective tool for handling the issues that arise and getting back on track to completing workplace assignments or starting a new job with the tools you need. Once you're ready, follow these tips to help you through the process.

Keep it simple

You can tell your employer that you need an adjustment or change because of a medical condition. You may use plain English. You do not have to mention the ADA or use the phrase "reasonable accommodation." It can be as easy as saying to your employer, "I need to talk to you about the difficulty I have when trying to get to work on time due to the medication I take."

Put it in writing

At JAN, we recommend putting your disclosure and request for accommodations in writing so you have documentation of what you asked for and when you asked. Under the ADA, however, there are no requirements to submit requests in writing. Some employers have their own paperwork. You can ask your employer about the paperwork and start there, you can submit a letter from your medical provider, or you can write a letter and attach your medical documentation. 

Talk to the right people

You can disclose the information to whomever you feel most comfortable giving it to. Some employees aren’t comfortable with their direct supervisors knowing about their medical condition or diagnosis, so we advise disclosing this information to the human resources (HR) department. Someone there would be chosen to verify that you do have a disability under the ADA. This confidential information is then stored in a separate locked file that other employees won't have access to. HR then moves forward with the accommodation process where your supervisor may be involved in providing the accommodations.

You can find out specifically how the accommodation process works by checking your employer's handbook or policies. HR should be able to advise you on the details. 

How it works: an example

When Rich started his job, he had his own private workspace that allowed him to concentrate and stay on task quite well. With the news that his employer was moving all employees into cubicles in a smaller, more open floor space, Rich knew he was going to have issues with both visual and auditory distractions due to his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

He asked his HR department for a meeting to discuss a disability and the need for accommodations. He provided a written summary of what his strengths were, how he has been able to be successful so far in his current location, and why he feels he will have difficulty in an open office setting due to the distractions he knows will occur. He provided a note from his doctor that documents his ADHD, with information about his difficulties in concentration, focus, and time management that would likely be increased by the noisy, open space. He listed ideas for accommodations, and then in the meeting with HR he discussed his concerns about the open workspace and recommended what will work for him.

His employer decides to provide advanced notice of the details of the move and allow Rich to help choose a workspace within the open area that would be best for him before coworkers are placed. Additional ideas such as taller cubicle walls and noise-reducing products are also discussed.

Finding help

If you need help with the disclosure process and requesting accommodations, JAN may be able to offer you more information, answers and support. JAN is funded by a contract with the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), U.S. Department of Labor. JAN offers free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations. Their experts can help you through the disclosure process and help you find accommodations that may help you succeed during job interviews and on the job. Learn more about JAN and start finding accommodations information at askjan.org.

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Learn More

To learn more, you can call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.

By Melanie Whetzel, M.A., CBIS Lead Consultant, Cognitive/Neurological Team, Job Accommodation Network

Many people struggle with the idea of disclosing their disabilities in the workplace, and for many good reasons. Disclosure involves giving out personal, medical, and/or disability information to an employer. It can be overwhelming and scary.

How much information should I provide? When is the best time to do it? Will my employer keep the information confidential? Will he or she use it against me? These are all valid questions that may run through the mind of an applicant or employee trying to determine if he or she needs to disclose a disability.

If you need reasonable accommodations in the workplace or for the application or hiring process, disclosure is a very real and necessary step in the accommodation process. It is the first and sometimes most difficult step. So what exactly is involved?

When disclosing personal information about a disability, it is important to provide information about the nature of your disability, the limitations involved, and how the disability affects your ability to learn and/or perform the job successfully. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers have a right to know if a disability is involved when an employee asks for accommodations. Although there is no specific time frame under the ADA for requesting an accommodation, you should disclose a disability and request accommodations before you have difficulties on the job, or at least before they become too serious.

Let's look at 3 reasons why someone with a disability may choose to disclose to their employer.

Accommodations

The main reason to disclose a disability is to ask for accommodations. Accommodations, which are changes or modifications to the way things are usually done, aren't just necessary for the completion of job tasks; they are often helpful during the application and interview process as well.

For example: Matt is an automotive tech recovering from treatment for cancer. He is ready to return to work and is interviewing for jobs. He has a difficult time when the interviews are in the late afternoon because he feels tired and not at his best later in the day. If no morning interviews are available, he may have to disclose and request an earlier slot where he can better represent himself and his abilities.

Benefits and privileges of employment

A second reason to disclose a disability in the workplace is to receive benefits or privileges of employment. The ADA requires employers to provide accommodations so employees with disabilities can enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment equal to those enjoyed by employees without disabilities. Benefits and privileges of employment include, but aren't limited to, access to employer-sponsored trainings, transportation, credit unions, cafeterias, auditoriums and social functions.

For example: Jake is an employee who has difficulty hearing well in large group trainings. He asks for the accommodation of being allowed to take part in training electronically while remaining in his office. His disability limits his ability to make sense of what goes on in the large group. 

Unusual circumstances

A third reason to disclose in the workplace is to explain an unusual circumstance. For instance, Ty was corrected after a meeting with clients where he interrupted and added his own personal opinions, unrelated to what was being discussed. Before he got into further trouble, Ty decided to explain that the cause of the impulsiveness is his mental health impairment and that with accommodations, like working with a job coach and using role-play scenarios to demonstrate appropriate workplace behavior, he should be able to control his impulsiveness during meetings.

Finding help

As you can see from the examples above, accommodations can help individuals with disabilities perform their job duties. Being honest with your employer about disclosure and the need for accommodations is a direct and effective way to handle issues that may arise. And open communication can help you get the tools you need to succeed as you start a new job and complete workplace assignments.

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) may be able to offer you more information, answers and support. JAN is funded by a contract with the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), U.S. Department of Labor. JAN offers free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations. Their experts can help you through the disclosure process and help you find accommodations that may help you succeed during job interviews and on the job. Learn more about JAN and start finding accommodations information at askjan.org.

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket program, visit https://choosework.ssa.gov. You can also call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.

It may be easy to think of summer as a time to take a break and relax. But while you're relaxing, you can also use this time to plan for your future, including researching and considering career and internship opportunities or gearing up for your transition to college.

Career exploration and training

One popular summer activity for current students and recent graduates is participating in an internship. Internships are usually short-term work opportunities that allow you to get experience in a career that interests you or to explore different fields as you consider your career options. They may be paid or unpaid and often allow you to network with other staff and interns at the organization and build skills to advance in your career.

Another option is an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are paid positions that focus on training individuals for a trade or profession with instruction, training and job shadowing where you take on progressively greater on-the-job responsibilities. Unlike internships, apprenticeships are typically longer programs, lasting anywhere from 1 to 6 years, offer higher pay with pay increases for learned skills and advancement, and include classroom instruction that teaches you the skills needed for the job. Often, employers will offer you full-time work once you've completed your apprenticeship, especially since they're familiar with your knowledge, experience and skills.

Apprenticeships have regained popularity since a Presidential Executive Order issued in 2017 promoted their expansion as a path to good jobs and careers. The U.S. Department of Labor offers a variety of resources and tools to help people looking for apprenticeship opportunities.

Organizations usually offer a limited number of internships and apprenticeships. If you've missed the deadline to apply for summer programs, now is a good time to start researching and applying for opportunities that are available for the fall and winter.

Prepare for college

If you've been accepted into a college program, congratulations! The summer is a great time to research the services that your school offers to students with disabilities. Good questions to consider when researching include:

• Do I need to ask for accommodations?
• Does my program of study or school offer a mentoring program?
• What is the history of the school and disability rights?

Many schools have staff available during the summer who can answer your questions. If you have questions about a specific course or class, try contacting the professor. This could include questions about anything from accommodations to coursework.

If you have a question, ask! You may be surprised at what your college offers.

Do your research!

If you're still undecided about what to do next, use this summer as an opportunity to think about what you'd like to do and do some research.

The internet is a great place to start as you search for career options and career fairs, and the Choose Work! blog can help you learn about career development and supports and services available to you. You can also connect with a Ticket to Work (Ticket) service provider! The Ticket program is free and voluntary and supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security Disability benefits. Ticket program service providers, like Employment Networks (ENs) and State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies, can help you think about and identify your work goals, identify supports and services to help you achieve your goals and even help you find job placements.

As you enjoy the summer weather, remember there are plenty of ways to advance your job search and plan for your future, whether you're trying out a new career or planning your transition to college.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket program, visit https://choosework.ssa.gov. You can also call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.

As of June 2018, Social Security expanded the availability of its online wage reporting service to people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and to "concurrent" beneficiaries (people who receive both SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Social Security announced the service last year, but at the time it was only available for people who receive SSDI.

The wage reporting service makes it easier to report your work and wages online from your computer or mobile device. Other people, such as your parents, spouse, sponsors or representative payee, may also report your wages using the new service. To use the service, you must have a current my Social Security account. You can create an account or sign in to your current one here.

If you receive SSI, you may still report your wages by telephone or by mobile app.

• Telephone: Social Security representatives are available to talk about your wage reports from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET toll free at 800-772-1213 or 800-325-0778 (TTY).
• Mobile app: If you have a smartphone, Social Security's SSI mobile wage reporting app is another way to report your wages.
• In person: Find and visit your local field office.

Although these options are still available, Social Security prefers that you report your wages through the my Social Security online wage reporting service whenever possible.

Wage reporting is an important step in preventing overpayments. An overpayment occurs when Social Security has paid you more than you should have been paid in accordance with the rules of your benefits. Understanding how working affects your benefits and how to report your earnings can make a big difference in your transition to work.

Additional Resources

• Choose Work's Wage Reporting page
• Update: Wage Reporting for People Who Receive SSDI
• Money Mondays: Wage Reporting Myths, Tips and Ticket to Work

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket program, visit https://choosework.ssa.gov. You can also call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool. A Ticket program service provider can help you understand overpayments and how to report your earnings or other information you may need to report to Social Security.

Attend a job fair in July to see what employers have to offer and are looking for as they seek to hire new employees.

Career fairs are an excellent way to start or advance your job search. They give you the chance to meet potential employers and learn about different job opportunities. The career fairs listed in this post are just a few of the offerings in July. Visit the organizers' websites for a full list of July career fairs to see if there's one near you.

If you're aware of an upcoming job fair that our readers would find helpful, email us at socialmedia@choosework.ssa.gov with the event name, dates and official website.

City Career Fairs (In Person)

City Career Fair's Diversity Employment Day (DED) career fairs provide the chance for local and national employers to meet and interview qualified candidates from diverse communities.

• July 18: Seattle, WA

Choice Career Fairs (In person)

Choice Career Fairs has 10 in-person career fairs going on throughout the country. Visit their website to view their calendar and find an upcoming event in your area.

Coast to Coast Career Fairs (In Person)

Coast to Coast Career Fairs holds numerous in-person career fairs across the country each month. To find a full list of career fairs by region, check out their calendar.

Diversity Career Group (In Person)

Diversity Career group focuses their career and job fairs on connecting employers and jobseekers through sit-down conversations and even first-round job interviews. To find the full list of their events, visit the website and select "Career Fairs" at the top of the page.  

RecruitMilitary (In Person and online)

RecruitMilitary seeks to tap into the extensive talent pool that veterans represent for employers.

• July 10: National Virtual Job Fair
• July 12: Pittsburgh Veterans Job Fair
• July 19: Greater Sacramento Veterans Job Fair

National Career Fairs (In Person)

National Career Fair holds free career fairs in over 130 cities each year, and they have more than 20 happening in July! Check out their full calendar to find one in your area, including these events:

• July 12: Atlanta, GA
• July 12: Milwaukee, WI
• July 18: Salt Lake City, UT
• July 19: Tulsa, OK
• July 24: Boston, MA
• July 31: Portland, OR

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.

By Michele Hellebuyck, Mental Health America

June is Employee Wellbeing Month, which is an ideal time to think about how to take care of yourself as you prepare for and transition to the workplace. Earlier this month, we shared tips for maintaining your physical health as you start working. Today, Mental Health America explains how to focus on and manage your mental health as you search for a job.

Employment can have a positive effect on mental health as it offers the opportunity to use your skills and talents, while boosting self-confidence. But you may have questions and concerns about finding employment as you deal with a mental health condition. Searching for a job can be a stressful and emotionally draining process, which can worsen symptoms of mental health conditions.

You may also have concerns about gaps in your employment history or feel unsure about your experience or your need to request reasonable accommodations. Don't give up! You can figure out strategies to work around barriers, often with help from friends and family, mentors and employment specialists. Here are some tips that may help you along the way!

1. Know your strengths and talents. Seek jobs where you feel you can excel and bring something to the table. Having a job where you can apply your skills and talents can boost your confidence and self-esteem and doing something that is meaningful can offer a sense of stability and satisfaction. You may not find a job in your field of interest but knowing your strengths and talents can help you find a job where you have the capabilities to perform well.
2. Voluntary questions are just that – voluntary. Applications often include voluntary questions about whether you have a disability (including mental health conditions). You may feel the urge to be honest because it feels uncomfortable to hide the truth, but you may also wonder how stigma about mental illness may affect your application. Whether you choose to disclose anything may change with every application. That is okay, you are not obligated to do so. Most of the application is about what you can, and will, offer as an employee.
3. Tackle the process one step at time. Applying for jobs can seem overwhelming. The process is time consuming, interviews can be nerve-wracking, and rejections are difficult to experience. For individuals experiencing a mental health condition, this can take an emotional and psychological toll. Try to create a realistic plan to find and transition to work. For example, spend one day looking through job postings and another day applying to the jobs you have selected. Also, do not forget to practice self-care, identify the coping skills that fit your needs, and seek support throughout the whole process. This can be an especially chaotic time. It is important to identify resources that will keep you grounded as you move forward.

Mental health conditions affect different people in various ways. Some people with mental health conditions may never stop working; others find that their condition interrupts their career; and still others may be able to do only limited work. As people recover from a mental health condition, they also face varied challenges in relation to work. Some people with mental health conditions find that they are able, with minor accommodations, to work in the same way they did before. Others may have to re-enter work gradually.

No matter your situation and no matter the hurdles you face, hold on to your goals for yourself and keep striving to incorporate meaningful activity into your life. In the past, people with mental illness were often discouraged from working, but today we understand that work is not only a possibility, but also it can often play a vital role in recovery.

Understanding how work may have an effect on your mental health, planning your job search, and finding support as you look for and transition to work are all important parts of maintaining your emotional wellbeing as a jobseeker and an employee.

About the Writer

Michele Hellebuyck is the Policy and Programs Manager at Mental Health America (MHA). She is responsible for the implementation of MHA programs and technical assistance, as well as the development of publications for MHA's programs and policy activities. She received her M.A. in Global Health and Economic Development. Prior to joining Mental Health America in 2017, she supported the expansion of Community Health Services abroad.

The Ticket to Work (Ticket) team recently had an opportunity to interview Ollie Cantos in honor of Father's Day. Ollie is a lawyer who serves as the Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education and was recently appointed to serve on the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

While his professional schedule is full, Ollie, who is blind, also loves his other job: being a father to his 3 adopted sons, Nick, Leo and Steven. The 3 young men, who are currently preparing for their first college semesters this fall, are blind too.

Ollie met the triplet brothers when they were 10 years old. They were introduced through Ollie's friend from church who thought Ollie's experience as a mentor would help the boys, who struggled with bullying.

"When I was first asked to support them as a mentor, I just figured this would be another set of kids that I would help along, the same way I was helped along by my own parents, so I could continue to pay it forward," Ollie says. "But when I first began to get to know them, there was almost immediately something that was different — I just felt a real connection to them that was different from the mentee relationship. I felt like I was closer to them than just a mentor, and they felt the same way about me."

Ollie recounts that the boys had been living a very limited life — only leaving their home for school and church. They rarely went outside and were uncertain of their abilities, but Ollie helped them change that. Their adventures started with trips to the convenience store just down the road from their home and kept growing.

It wasn't long before Ollie received a great honor. He was at the corner store with Leo when the woman behind the counter asked Ollie if Leo was his son. Before Ollie could respond, Leo put his arm around Ollie and told her, "Yeah, that's my dad."

Ollie remembers, "I was just floored. I was speechless. I was teary eyed because I had felt really close to him already." So Ollie knelt to be at Leo's level, put his hands on the young boy's shoulders and asked, "'Leo, do you know what that means?' and he said, 'Well, you take us places. You protect us, you do homework with us.' Then I felt him shrug his shoulders and he said, 'Sounds like a dad to me.'"

Fatherly advice

Ollie grew up a victim of bullying himself, and as a result, he felt uncertain and lacked confidence. "But my mom and dad would never relent," he explains. "They would always tell me, 'You have to do well in school, and you should be well rounded. You should try all sorts of things.'"

It was tough for Ollie at first, but he explains, "My mom and my dad 'loved it' into me. They loved me into expecting more for and of myself. Every time I made a mistake, my mom's response was, 'Well, you need to learn from that and work harder.'"

Years later, Ollie is using that same parenting technique and mindset with his sons.

He encourages parents of kids with disabilities to believe in their children and push them to achieve more, regardless of disability. "Don't discount the disability," Ollie advises. "But we embrace that our disabilities don't define us; they're merely characteristics. But because they're mere characteristics, we need to consider what our expectations are and whether those expectations change because of the disability."

He also points out that parenting has a different level of responsibility than mentoring. As a mentor, Ollie always wants the best for his mentees, but notes that his role is to give strong suggestions and to provide support when they take action on those suggestions.

As a dad, Ollie was ready to take on more authority. "I was better positioned to say, 'This is the way that things need to go, and we need to push forward, and I will hold you personally responsible," Ollie says.

That mindset came into play when Leo, Nick and Steven set goals of becoming Eagle Scouts, the Boy Scouts of America's (BSA) highest rank. While the BSA does offer alternative requirements and accommodations for scouts with disabilities, Ollie helped them plan ahead to submit and complete their projects without accommodations: "It took more time, but we planned and made it work."

Ollie says he's excited to see his sons continue to succeed. "I've worked to instill in them since they were 10 years old the need to work ... and all 3 of them have been successful. And that's why their strong work ethic and excitement of collecting a paycheck has been a lot of fun."

The joys of parenting

When asked, what's your favorite part of being a dad, Ollie says, "Oh my gosh, everything. We laugh all the time. We hang out, we explore, we get lost. We just do everything together as a family, and it's just so much fun."

One of his favorite activities is having one of the boys plan an entire day out for the family. Each one takes turns planning an adventure, including mapping out how they're going to arrive at the location, the budget for the day, and all the activities. While these adventures allowed them to bond and have fun, it's also helped them learn about planning, leadership, and learning from mishaps that may come up — all skills that Ollie thinks will help them as they pursue their career goals.

Having completed a training program for people who are blind in Boston, MA, each of the brothers has found a paid internship to gain work experience as they prepare to start college this fall. It's clear that they've learned a lot from their dad, and they'll continue to use this knowledge as they set educational and professional goals for themselves.

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Learn More

To learn more, you can call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.