Deaf Career

No Fear 23 · 12-26-2005, 07:25 PM

Ok, I am a student at kent state university majoring in Graphic Design. However, I am nervous about the job situtaion in the design world based on hearing disability. I am worried of having a hard time finding a job bc of my hearing disability. I realized that communicating is critical in this economy becasue designers are constantly talking to thier co-workers and clients about design projects through phones and sometimes through email. Another reason I am nervous is getting fired for a mistake I easily made by missunderstanding something a client/boss said. Also, graphic design can be a stressfull job bc of deadlines and dealing with clients. Are there any deaf graphic designers on here? what is it like? how do you overcome it? etc.

Thinking about all this has made me want to change my major to something less stressfull and less worrysome(sp). At first, I've thought of being a pilot, but I would not be able to hear on the radio that well. Second thing i thought of is a law officer or FBI, but it would be near impossible to get a job in that field bc of my hearing, like being unable to communicate through radio and talkin on the phone.

ARGGGGH, i hit a snag in my life where i do not kno what i want to do for my career!!!!!!!

/end rant

Endymion · 12-26-2005, 07:55 PM

I am not a graphic designer, but the industry is very, very competitive.

One thing might want to do is research marketing. That may give you an edge over the competition.

I have plenty of ideas about what to do regarding being deaf and in a competitive industry, but I'm curious to see what the others here say first.

No Fear 23 · 12-26-2005, 08:09 PM

one thing i came up with is being a teacher at a deaf school. like teaching art in middle school.

something like that.

Dennis · 12-26-2005, 09:54 PM

I have a deaf friend who is a graphic designer for a casino in Las Vegas. Very stressful job, does things like design the look of the restaurant menus and posters in the casino. Pay is okay, location is okay, deaf community is small.

Don't worry about having "more of a challenge" in any field just because you're deaf. Use it to stand out from the crowd of a bazillion other same same job applicants. Use it as a way for them to know who you are and want you to work for them, not as a way to scare them off. Only you can empower yourself to do that, instead of being afraid that they'll discriminate against you.

Be proud of your deafness and the uniqueness it makes you be.

Edit to add:

EVERY field has their challenges for deaf people. I know at least one law enforcement officer who was hearing impaired, and I have a deaf co-worker who was formerly with Crime Scene Investigation (you know, like the TV show CSI, but fortunately more boring in real life than on Hollywood).

Professional Deaf Pilots are harder to come by -- I know that there are deaf pilots clubs out there, but I haven't heard of a deaf person flying in the military or on major airlines. It's not impossible either -- there are just very strict rules that make flying on IFR (instrument flight rules, where you can't see well outside) alone nearly impossible for deaf people, but VFR (visual flight rules, you can see outside fine and you can communicate with the airport fine) is allowed for deaf people.

PM me if you have more questions.

darkangel8603 · 12-26-2005, 10:11 PM

Dennis is right, every feild of working have its challenge for us deaf or hard of hearing people.

However I know someone who is a graphic designer, i think that what the job is, he create stuff in animation from computer and stuff, like he was part of the team that created shrek game and that kind of stuff, i think that is graphic designer, correct me if i am wrong. But anyway he is strongly deaf and is from deaf family as well in deaf community. He is doing great. His wife is a teacher at my school, that how i know him cuz he came to my school and show us about it as well as provided a club and taught many of us how to do computer animation.

Otherwise, many other job majors have challenges with the hearing issue because almost every jobs depend on ear for some reasons, also because the hearing world is not very exposed to the deaf community and deaf world causing them to be unaware of how to relact to us properlly, which make it harder for us to find a job that we actually enjoy and be good at it. But just choose anything and go with it, don't be afraid of the hearing world, don't worry about that right now, just finish your schooling you need then when you get accepted, worry about that then. You will be surprise how well accepted you will be.

good luck.

p.s excuse my spellings in this post, i am a sleepy head at the moment.

Dannie · 02-20-2006, 08:10 PM

One of the girls in my Deaf Knitting group, is inviting someone who has her own Calligraphy Business but it's her mother that talks to everyone over the telephone, while she does the work. That's all I know.

I've met someone years ago who works as a Camera Operator. I have just about as many questions though as you do, believe me - and I hate it when the Deaf people are thrown into the filing - because that's how I ended up with tendonitis and I can't do data entry jobs because of that.

And when I go to the Cdn. Hearing Society, they tell me to do any Research you need 5 years of University, meanwhile I was volunteering as a Research Analyst for a magazine but it didn't mean scott's all to anybody in my family and whenever I talk about health or nutrition I just get yelled because I'am not supposed to know anything the doctor's don't know! But really, I mean that's just a load of hot pissed air towards me! But I do know someone who goes to the University who works helping out a Researcher in the Speech and Language Department, and her brother is HOH/Deaf and works as a rocket scientist, but their parents are deaf, and they have a lot of connections.
I also know someone at the Cdn. Hearing Society who's whole family is HOH, her brother is an engineer.

I'am not working.

pek1 · 02-22-2006, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No Fear 23

Ok, I am a student at kent state university majoring in Graphic Design. However, I am nervous about the job situtaion in the design world based on hearing disability. I am worried of having a hard time finding a job bc of my hearing disability. I realized that communicating is critical in this economy becasue designers are constantly talking to thier co-workers and clients about design projects through phones and sometimes through email. Another reason I am nervous is getting fired for a mistake I easily made by missunderstanding something a client/boss said. Also, graphic design can be a stressfull job bc of deadlines and dealing with clients. Are there any deaf graphic designers on here? what is it like? how do you overcome it? etc.

Thinking about all this has made me want to change my major to something less stressfull and less worrysome(sp). At first, I've thought of being a pilot, but I would not be able to hear on the radio that well. Second thing i thought of is a law officer or FBI, but it would be near impossible to get a job in that field bc of my hearing, like being unable to communicate through radio and talkin on the phone.

ARGGGGH, i hit a snag in my life where i do not kno what i want to do for my career!!!!!!!

/end rant

No Fear 23,

Can I ask you a question? Is this the field you have always wanted to be in? In other words, is it your dream? If so, then the only direction you can go is UP. Don't give up on your dream...you know why? Where there is a will, there is a way? Perhaps you can't be an airline pilot (as I did), but, there is a deaf pilots association, look for them here:

http://www.deafpilots.com/

As for the rest of what you mentioned, you have the ADA to back you and yes, your employer has to provide accomodations for you.

Best wishes and get going...

downing · 02-23-2006, 08:01 AM

Well, I have a career professional job as Graphic Designer/Multimedia Designer going on for 8 yrs now.. It took me 2 years trying to land this job after I graduated from College. It is very competitive out there...you can pm or email me if you need some reassuring thoughts or opinions. Feel free to ask.

12-26-2005, 07:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
No Fear 23 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 22	Deaf Career Ok, I am a student at kent state university majoring in Graphic Design. However, I am nervous about the job situtaion in the design world based on hearing disability. I am worried of having a hard time finding a job bc of my hearing disability. I realized that communicating is critical in this economy becasue designers are constantly talking to thier co-workers and clients about design projects through phones and sometimes through email. Another reason I am nervous is getting fired for a mistake I easily made by missunderstanding something a client/boss said. Also, graphic design can be a stressfull job bc of deadlines and dealing with clients. Are there any deaf graphic designers on here? what is it like? how do you overcome it? etc. Thinking about all this has made me want to change my major to something less stressfull and less worrysome(sp). At first, I've thought of being a pilot, but I would not be able to hear on the radio that well. Second thing i thought of is a law officer or FBI, but it would be near impossible to get a job in that field bc of my hearing, like being unable to communicate through radio and talkin on the phone. ARGGGGH, i hit a snag in my life where i do not kno what i want to do for my career!!!!!!! /end rant

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12-26-2005, 07:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Endymion All but haute couture Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Somewhere within the geographical proximity of sanity. Posts: 1,382	I am not a graphic designer, but the industry is very, very competitive. One thing might want to do is research marketing. That may give you an edge over the competition. I have plenty of ideas about what to do regarding being deaf and in a competitive industry, but I'm curious to see what the others here say first.

12-26-2005, 08:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
No Fear 23 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 22	one thing i came up with is being a teacher at a deaf school. like teaching art in middle school. something like that.

12-26-2005, 09:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dennis \/ It's a computer patch. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Death Star HQ Posts: 1,752	I have a deaf friend who is a graphic designer for a casino in Las Vegas. Very stressful job, does things like design the look of the restaurant menus and posters in the casino. Pay is okay, location is okay, deaf community is small. Don't worry about having "more of a challenge" in any field just because you're deaf. Use it to stand out from the crowd of a bazillion other same same job applicants. Use it as a way for them to know who you are and want you to work for them, not as a way to scare them off. Only you can empower yourself to do that, instead of being afraid that they'll discriminate against you. Be proud of your deafness and the uniqueness it makes you be. Edit to add: EVERY field has their challenges for deaf people. I know at least one law enforcement officer who was hearing impaired, and I have a deaf co-worker who was formerly with Crime Scene Investigation (you know, like the TV show CSI, but fortunately more boring in real life than on Hollywood). Professional Deaf Pilots are harder to come by -- I know that there are deaf pilots clubs out there, but I haven't heard of a deaf person flying in the military or on major airlines. It's not impossible either -- there are just very strict rules that make flying on IFR (instrument flight rules, where you can't see well outside) alone nearly impossible for deaf people, but VFR (visual flight rules, you can see outside fine and you can communicate with the airport fine) is allowed for deaf people. PM me if you have more questions.

12-26-2005, 10:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
darkangel8603 Loki : God of Mischief Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,430	Dennis is right, every feild of working have its challenge for us deaf or hard of hearing people. However I know someone who is a graphic designer, i think that what the job is, he create stuff in animation from computer and stuff, like he was part of the team that created shrek game and that kind of stuff, i think that is graphic designer, correct me if i am wrong. But anyway he is strongly deaf and is from deaf family as well in deaf community. He is doing great. His wife is a teacher at my school, that how i know him cuz he came to my school and show us about it as well as provided a club and taught many of us how to do computer animation. Otherwise, many other job majors have challenges with the hearing issue because almost every jobs depend on ear for some reasons, also because the hearing world is not very exposed to the deaf community and deaf world causing them to be unaware of how to relact to us properlly, which make it harder for us to find a job that we actually enjoy and be good at it. But just choose anything and go with it, don't be afraid of the hearing world, don't worry about that right now, just finish your schooling you need then when you get accepted, worry about that then. You will be surprise how well accepted you will be. good luck. p.s excuse my spellings in this post, i am a sleepy head at the moment.

02-20-2006, 08:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dannie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto, ON Canada Posts: 459	One of the girls in my Deaf Knitting group, is inviting someone who has her own Calligraphy Business but it's her mother that talks to everyone over the telephone, while she does the work. That's all I know. I've met someone years ago who works as a Camera Operator. I have just about as many questions though as you do, believe me - and I hate it when the Deaf people are thrown into the filing - because that's how I ended up with tendonitis and I can't do data entry jobs because of that. And when I go to the Cdn. Hearing Society, they tell me to do any Research you need 5 years of University, meanwhile I was volunteering as a Research Analyst for a magazine but it didn't mean scott's all to anybody in my family and whenever I talk about health or nutrition I just get yelled because I'am not supposed to know anything the doctor's don't know! But really, I mean that's just a load of hot pissed air towards me! But I do know someone who goes to the University who works helping out a Researcher in the Speech and Language Department, and her brother is HOH/Deaf and works as a rocket scientist, but their parents are deaf, and they have a lot of connections. I also know someone at the Cdn. Hearing Society who's whole family is HOH, her brother is an engineer. I'am not working.

02-23-2006, 08:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
downing Chai Latte Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,444	Well, I have a career professional job as Graphic Designer/Multimedia Designer going on for 8 yrs now.. It took me 2 years trying to land this job after I graduated from College. It is very competitive out there...you can pm or email me if you need some reassuring thoughts or opinions. Feel free to ask.