Steps Towards a Vocational Rehabilitation Career in San Diego

I'm interested in working in vocational rehabilitation in San Diego someday. What kind of education or skills should I be focusing on while still in high school to set me up for success in this field?

Pursuing a career in vocational rehabilitation is a commendable choice! This field is all about helping people who have disabilities to find and keep suitable employment, and it's an important and fulfilling profession. Here are some general steps for you to consider while in high school to prepare for this career:

1. Core Academic Knowledge: Given that vocational rehabilitation is all about understanding and addressing impairments and how they can affect one's ability to work, you'll want to prioritize classes in psychology and sociology. Both subjects will offer insight into human behavior, norms, and the psychological challenges that can come with dealing with disabilities. If your school offers any health science classes, these could also be beneficial.

2. Enhance Communication Skills: As a vocational rehabilitation professional, you'll be working closely with clients, as well as employers, healthcare providers, and family members. Thus, it's crucial to develop your communication skills, both written and verbal. English, speech, and debate classes can help with this, as well as joining extracurriculars that involve public speaking or teamwork.

3. Volunteer Experience: If there are opportunities to work or volunteer with organizations that help individuals with disabilities in your area, this could provide valuable experience and understanding of the field. This could be a local nonprofit, community center, hospital, or rehab clinic.

4. Relevant Extracurricular Activities: Join clubs that are related to this career like a health club, psychology club, or peer counseling programs. This could supplement your academic classes and offer real-world experience or knowledge about the field.

Remember that once you've graduated, the typical pathway is to earn a bachelor's degree in a field like rehabilitation science, psychology, or a similar field. After that, most vocational rehabilitation professionals earn a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field. Licensing is also a typical requirement, and this generally requires a master's degree plus supervised clinical experience.

Best of luck as you begin your journey into the field of vocational rehabilitation!