Become a CareerConnect Mentor

As you may have experienced in your own professional development, a mentor can be a very important and valuable asset in exploring and growing in a career—or many careers! AFB CareerConnect® mentors have often acquired a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience that would benefit blind or visually impaired job-seekers as they search out their own personal paths.

Are you willing to share your skills and knowledge of the workplace? To be a mentor, you must be blind or visually impaired, successfully employed, and willing to respond in a timely and appropriate manner to e-mail queries about your chosen profession and the technology that you use. To gain the most satisfactory outcome to your mentoring experience we are pleased to provide you with the AFB CareerConnect® Mentor Guide, which we ask that you read. In addition, you must also agree to the following Terms of Service.

Your participation is the true key to the success of this program. By volunteering as a mentor you are:

• Serving as a role model
• Helping to break down barriers to employment for those exploring new careers
• Teaching new ways of accomplishing career requirements
• Passing on your hard-earned knowledge and experience
• Motivating and inspiring people who are blind or visually impaired to higher goals and greater ambitions as they explore career possibilities

Aside from these benefits, you will enjoy the fulfillment that comes with knowing you helped another person who is blind or visually impaired as he or she explores the world of work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will AFB CareerConnect® users contact me?

You can let us know your preferred mode of contact. People who are seeking career advice can reach you by a confidential bulletin board exchange on this site, or by e-mailing you directly.

How often will I be contacted?

There's no set answer to this question. However, if you work in a popular occupation or you live in a popular geographic location, there is a chance you may receive more contacts. If at any time you are concerned with the amount of contact you are receiving (too much, too little, etc.) please let us know right away, and we'll take steps to address the issue.

What if someone asks me for a job? I am not in a position to offer employment.

AFB CareerConnect is designed as a networking and mentoring tool to provide information about experiences and resources, not as a recruiting site.

If someone does ask you for a job, however, you may want to consider it a moment for true mentorship. You might communicate your desire to assist in the individual's career exploration, emphasizing that the best support you can offer is in providing advice about the individual's career search. Also, you might want to give some networking tips, and questions he/she might want to ask of other mentors as well.

So, how do I become a mentor?

That's easy. First read the Terms of Service agreement, and then click here to register.

How do I change or remove my name and information?

Also quite simple. Click here to edit your profile. Note: you must be a registered user to access this page.

If you have more questions, click here to send a message to the AFB CareerConnect staff: careerconnect@afb.net.

Related Announcements

• President Obama Announces New Initiatives During National Disability Employment Awareness Month
• Take Our Survey on Future Directions for AccessWorld®
• View all announcements