Vocational training is one of the many options to think about after high school or when changing your career. Vocational training gives you specific skills for specialized jobs. These schools train students for specific jobs, such as a paralegal, interior designer, medical assistant, chef, or electronics technician. Before you pick a school, think about what type of career you want. 

As someone with a bleeding disorder, it is important to consider not only your interests but other factors important to the jobs you might choose. This section walks you through things to think about when deciding on vocational training.    

This section of Vocational Training covers: 

Choosing a Career

Think About the Physical Demands

Think About Compensation and Health Insurance

Choosing a Vocational Training School or Program

Choosing a Career

  • Talk to a guidance or career counselor. Think creatively, and not just about traditional work environments. A counselor who knows you and your interests can help you to consider all the possibilities. While talking to a person is best, various online career tests are available to help you to think about career choices. 
  • Do an internship or apprenticeship. Doing an internship or working as a volunteer can help you see what a job is like. Internships can also help you network and meet people who might be able to assist you with your career in the future. 
  • Find a mentor. If you admire the professional work of someone with a bleeding disorder, find out if that person is willing to meet with you. A mentor can share tips and advice, connect you with others, or let you shadow their workplace. 

Think About the Physical Demands

When thinking about careers it is important to think about the potential physical demands of each job and how this may impact you and your bleeding disorder.  

Do you have any target joints? Are there any movements that give you pain or lead to bleeds?  

Even if you do not have many health complaints now, think about your career 5, 10, 20, even 30 years from now. You may want to choose a career that makes sense for the long term. Your Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC) team, especially your physical therapist, can help you understand what might negatively impact your joints. Repetitive movement and other strains can affect your joints, and a health care provider can help minimize the risk of future damage. 

Think About Compensation and Health Insurance

While the money you get from a job is important, be sure to consider the other benefits that could come with a job. This could include paid time off, retirement benefits, bonuses, other employee assistance programs and insurance. If you are younger than 26 years of age, most likely you’re covered by your parent or caregiver’s insurance plan. However, before you know it, you will need your own insurance policy. Your career choice directly affects your ability to get health insurance. You may want to visit some company websites and see if you can find information on their employee health benefits. State or federal legislation may also affect health care benefits. Understanding employee benefits, including insurance, can help you improve your quality of life both now and in future years.

Choosing a Vocational Training School or Program

Once you have decided which career path you want to take, you can then research and find the training schools or programs that will help you achieve your goals in that career path. Here are some tips: 

  • Contact employers in the field you want to be in and see if they would hire someone who graduated from the school. Ask for programs they would recommend. Ask whether they require a college degree - if so, you need to attend a degree-granting school instead. 
  • Ask if the school or program is licensed in your state and ask to see the license. You can also research which programs are licensed in your state. 
  • Ask the school if you can sit in on a class for one day at no cost or commitment to enroll. If they refuse, think about whether you want to go there. Take a tour of the whole school to make sure they have the equipment and resources needed for the skills you need for that career and ask about qualifications of school faculty. 
  • Check to make sure the classes are taught in your language. 
  • Talk to students who are taking classes now. Ask them if they are pleased with the training and if they felt the financial investment was worth it. 
  • Ask what the school’s completion rate is and where they have placed their graduates in the past. Call these employers and confirm the placements. 
  • Compare the school with other schools in the area.  
  • Read all the information the school gives you. Do not sign anything until you fully understand it. Take it home overnight if necessary. Check to make sure the contract you sign to attend is in your language. 
  • Read the school's refund policy very carefully before you sign the contract. Make sure you fully understand your financial obligations.  

You can get more information by going to these additional Vocational Training Resources: 

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