What is the Transition to Employment?

Transition to employment is the intentional process of supporting students with disabilities as they move from school into competitive, integrated workforce roles. Navigating this shift successfully relies heavily on early, hands-on preparation activities. Practical experiences like internships, extended learning opportunities (ELOs), and job shadowing are critical as they allow individuals to explore diverse career paths, build essential workplace skills, and develop the confidence needed for long-term independence. By bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world expectations, these preparation activities not only empower job seekers but also help employers cultivate a more diverse, inclusive, and capable workforce.

Career interests change over a lifetime

High school students contemplating life and work after graduation can be overwhelmed by choices. It helps to remember a few basics:

You can always change your mind. You can even fail. No experience is wasted. In fact, today’s high school graduate will probably have multiple careers in the coming decades.
A successful work life requires collaboration, communication, and adaptability. These abilities are as important as job-specific skills, and you carry them with you as you change jobs.
Your creative and intellectual abilities will only expand as you grow older and your world enlarges. In other words, it gets better.
If you aren’t sure what your strengths are and what you might be good at, ask a trusted mentor or teacher for an honest evaluation of your people skills, not just your academic skills. Go with your strengths.

Updated 6-29-26