CareerConnect FAQ

What is AFB CareerConnect?

CareerConnect is a program created by the American Foundation for the Blind to provide free resources and tools for students and job seekers with vision loss as well as the professionals who work with them, their families and potential employers. AFB CareerConnect does not provide jobs, do job searches or job placement; rather, we offer students and job seekers the tools to learn how to conduct these exercises independently. For those who may need some assistance, remember, there is some very helpful information for those who might be working with you on this task.

Why would I want to sign up with CareerConnect?

You may wish to use some of AFB's interactive online tools. By registering for free, you can create a resume, build a personal data sheet, keep track of appointments with an electronic calendar, e-mail any of the mentors in our program, and check for messages on a private message board.

What is the role of CareerConnect Mentors?

AFB CareerConnect has over 1,000 mentors with varying degrees of vision loss, all successfully employed in over 300 occupational fields. Their role is to provide assistance to CareerConnect visitors: job seekers, teens, family & friends, employers, professionals — anyone interested in the employment of people with visual impairments. Their assistance in helping someone develop an educational goal, career path or retain a job after vision loss is voluntary. They are here to offer their own personal experiences in becoming and staying successfully employed. Advice and guidance from someone who has already walked in your shoes can be invaluable.

How would I search for a mentor?

Anyone can search the CareerConnect mentor database by using the Search for a Mentor feature which can be accessed from the CareerConnect home page. It is a streamlined search tool in which you only need to type the name of a job you are interested in or, perhaps, a particular job task. The search engine will find your results using the criteria you gave it. If you want to refine your search by pulling out mentors in a particular job using a certain piece of technology, living in a specific state or province, or with differing amounts of vision you can do that too.

I have browsed through the search results and have several mentors I want to contact. What do I do now?

To e-mail a mentor you must first be a registered user. Simply sign up for free to e-mail mentors as well as use the other interactive features on our site. Once you've registered, simply click on the mentor's job title and an e-mail page will pop up for you to send off your message right there on the spot. Most mentors use e-mail, but for those who do not, you will get a message to that effect. Simply contact us at (888) 824-2184 or e-mail at careerconnect@afb.net and we will give you the mentor's phone number or other contact info.

I sent a message to a mentor several days ago but, so far I have not heard back from them. Now what? I don't want to keep bothering them.

Always allow a mentor 72 hours to respond to you. There could be any number of reasons why you have not heard from someone. Sometimes mentors may get very busy at work and not checked their e-mail, they could be on vacation, having computer problems or, perhaps, your e-mail may not have gotten through to the person you're trying to reach. Never hesitate to try again or contact the CareerConnect staff (careerconnect@afb.net or (888) 824-2184) so that we may follow up with the mentor or determine how we might troubleshoot for you. Remember, 72 hours is as long as you should wait for a response.

I forgot my username and password. Can these be retrieved?

Yes. Simply click the "forgot your password?" link on the login page, tell us your e-mail address, and your user name and password will be sent to you within a few minutes.

If you have changed your e-mail address since you signed up for the site, then contact CareerConnect staff with your first and last name and old e-mail address and we will forward your login information to you. You may call us at (888) 824-2184 or e-mail us at careerconnect@afb.net.

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