Start Early
Preparation, regardless of your path, is important. This doesn’t only include studying and getting good grades, or preparing for your first job by simply knowing the driving directions to get to your new company. Preparation also includes doing some prep work to know who you are, what you enjoy, and positioning yourself mentally, physically, emotionally and financially for success. We will provide some guidance and resources for you to find the right answers for you and your path forward, regardless of what that path may be.
In living with hemophilia, you probably already have learned a lot about yourself and what you are capable of achieving. Being able to translate the skills you have learned through hemophilia to a life after high school can give you an advantage—responsibility, timeliness, listening to others, sharing your own experience with others, thinking ahead, navigating the intricate healthcare system—all of these skills can provide you with a source of confidence and experience as you find your path forward.
But you can never know too much... so finding out a little more about yourself specific to your path forward will require some research. And while doing research can be painful and time consuming, this is about you, for you, and to benefit you. Doing research and asking lots of questions now will help prepare you for your future and give you an opportunity to learn not only what to expect, but also whats expected of you.
For example, some prep work questions might include:
What should I wear my first day/what's the dress code?
- Suggestion: What were people wearing when you interviewed there? And if you don't remember or want to be sure, just make a phone call to the Human Resources department and ask what their dress code policy is. They get those questions all the time and its a sign that you are taking the job seriously. Besides, it's better to ask before you start then find out on your first day that your interpretation of “smart casual” was wrong.
- Suggestion: Be sure to plan your attire for the first week on the job—have a weeks worth of appropriate clean work clothes ready to go so you don't have to worry about it.
Is there opportunity for me to learn other skills in this position?
- Suggestion: While interviewing, ask what the average number of years is for a person in this position and if there is opportunity to learn other jobs or room for advancement.
