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  Issue # 24 | March 2025
Job and Career Readiness: How to Build a Resume
Arguably the most important thing you can do to make yourself a desirable candidate to employers is building a professional resume. Organizing your skills and experience is difficult, especially when you are applying for specific roles, but knowing how to do it can set you apart from other candidates. No matter where you are in your high school, college or career path, having an active, updated resume is crucial for employability!
What is a resume? A resume is an active document that highlights your skills, experience and education that you send to employers or professionals when you are actively seeking a role. Resumes should highlight your strengths and accomplishments that are applicable to the role you are seeking.
Make sure your resume includes your name, professional email address (i.e., if candidate is named James Smith, a professional email could be jsmith2@gmail.com or james.smith30@yahoo.com) and phone number.
Typically, resumes should not exceed one page and should be separated into clear-cut sections and written in plain, business-like font (unless you are applying for a graphic design role). Be sure to use professional language and stay away from making “I” and “me” statements (i.e., do not say “I am excellent at communication and I am adaptable,” instead say, “experienced communicator who is adaptable”).
There are many things you can highlight on a resume, such as:
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Skills: Highlight any skills you have (languages you speak, programs you are fluent in, assistive technology experience, etc.), relevant coursework, and anything else that is relevant to the role you are applying to. Examples include interpersonal communication, collaboration/teamwork, time management, leadership, and adaptability (see resources below for more skills you can highlight!).
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Education:
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For students currently in high school: Include your high school and its address, your grade point average, the years you attended, and (if applicable) your anticipated graduation date.
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For students currently in college: Include your high school and its address (with the years you attended and your grade point average) and your college and its address, your major, grade point average, years attended, and your anticipated graduation date.
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Work Experience: Name any relevant businesses you have worked at, the position you held, the responsibilities you filled, what you learned from the experience, and the dates/years participated.
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Extracurricular Activities: Include the group you participated in (sport, club, etc.), position you held in the group (e.g. goalie, treasurer, member, etc.), description of what you did as a member, what you learned from participating, and the dates/years participated.
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Awards: Name any applicable awards and the organization that presented you with the award, a description of the award, and the date it was received.
When building a resume, keep in mind that no role is the same! There are differences in requirements, desirable experience and skills and accomplishments that employers want to see. Make sure you read the full job description before applying and tailor your resume to highlight what the employer is looking for (while remaining honest!).
Additionally, it's important to remember that a hiring manager may ask for a cover letter, which is a separate document that explains your strengths, interest in the role and why you believe you would be a good fit. Cover letters should also not exceed one page, maintain clear, professional language and font, and include your name, email and phone number.
A resume builder can be an additional resource – they help you fill in and format your skills and experience based on templates for the role you are applying to. See the links below for free options!
Take a look at these resources for example resumes, resume building websites and employability skills:
For questions or help building a resume, reach out to the Student Employment Services at your professional program/school or your BSBP rehabilitation professional. We are here to help!
Don't forget to check out the BSBP Pre-ETS/Transition Services page and see what new and exciting programs are planned. Explore, sign up and connect with your counselor today regarding any questions.
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Our goal is to help students aged 14 to 26 to successfully make the transition from high school to postsecondary education or employment. We offer lots of exciting camps and weekend trips to help you learn while having some fun and meeting other students who are Blind and Visually impaired across the state!
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Check out this list of scholarship and grant opportunities from around the country.
Please check the specific application deadline and requirements for each because they vary.
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In 2010, Rommel Johnson and his wife Fanny Johnson founded Eurisko Counseling, Training and Recovery, a company which offers three different services to its clients – counseling, training/vocational services to students with disabilities and recovery services. Many Eurisko clients utilize two or three services simultaneously.
For BSBP, Eurisko provides services primarily through their summer program Take the Lead. BSBP students (typically late high-school or early college students) who participate in Take the Lead have the opportunity to learn about self-advocacy, networking, having an open mindset, and motivational/leadership skills. Rommel states that the goal of the program is not to teach students to lead in big ways (although this is amazing!), but to show students they can also be leaders in their communities, friend groups and families by addressing simple things they see in their environment that require change.
Finally, Rommel offers some advice to Pre-ETS students and families: start early when it comes to job exploration. Luckily, Pre-ETS services, which allow students to explore what they like and dislike, what skills are transferrable to careers, how school is meaningful, and what degree they will choose to study in college are available to BSBP customers.
These services shouldn’t be taken for granted; Even if a student is sure about what they want to pursue, there is always more to learn. And starting early will prevent future debt, regret and wasted time. Be sure to reach out to your BSBP rehabilitation professional for more information on how you can get involved in job-exploration services!
To learn more about Eurisko, go to www.euriskovs.com.
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March 31 - May 30, 2025
Please join us in this virtual eight-week workshop in which participants identify their personal strengths and use that knowledge, along with workplace readiness training, to discover careers that are successful and satisfying.
Participants will have interactive and group experiences as they build foundations for career growth and career goal development which leads to informed decisions and more focused and successful job experiences. Participants will also develop resumes, cover letters and have opportunities to interview professionals. All this while having fun and boosting confidence!
Programming begins the week of March 31 and goes until May 30, 2025. Virtual workshops will be held twice weekly and last for two and a half hours. Please register by Friday, March 7 at https://bit.ly/BSBP-RoadtoSuccess25.
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March 22, 2025
Families and students, don’t miss the upcoming opportunity for families and students to engage with the BSBP Training Center (located in Kalamazoo) on Microsoft Teams! This event is designed to help families connect with the dedicated Training Center Professionals, explore the programs offered for students throughout the summer, and learn about other resources for students.
The session will include a video tour, testimonials from past students, open dialogue, and information about fun, health and safety. This will be an open and welcoming space to address concerns, gain clarity and foster trust in the BSBP Training Center programs.
Register for the Saturday, March 22 (11 a.m. -12 p.m.) session at https://bit.ly/3P4msXV.
For more information, please contact Jaclyn Scholten at scholtenJ1@michigan.gov or 269-337-3758.
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March 14, 2025, 12-1 p.m.
BSBP is excited to announce an upcoming Zoom webinar for Teacher Consultants for the Visually Impaired (TCVIs) that will include information on sponsorship, policies and assessment information.
Learn what you can do to help your students get a head start at college! The webinar will focus on:
- Summary of BSBP postsecondary services, tuition policies and eligibility criteria
- Timeline for student participation (9th-12th grade)
- Information on BSBP’s college readiness assessment
- Guidance on effectively mentoring students interested in postsecondary education
Register at https://bit.ly/BSBPTransitionSeriesMar25.
Questions? Contact the Pre-ETS team at LEO-BSBPTransition@michigan.gov.
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May 14-17, 2025
Join BSBP, the Michigan Blind Athletic Association (MBAA), and Western Michigan University (WMU) on May 14-17, 2025 for the Michigan Sports Education Camp for Students with Visual Impairments – open to athletes from anywhere in the world!
MBAA has been providing sports training and instruction to some of the world’s most elite athletes for over 35 years, including many Paralympians. They train at WMU’s state-of-the-art facilities, and their staff includes Paralympians, athletic professionals, motivated college students and professors, teachers of the visually impaired, blind rehabilitation professionals, and former Sports Camp athletes from across the country.
At Sports Camp, we work on sports specific training, such as track & field, swimming, goalball, cycling, wrestling, hockey, soccer, judo and more. We provide small group and one-on-one instruction in a friendly, positive environment. Your athlete will have the opportunity to play sports and build lifelong relationships with other athletes who are blind or visually impaired.
Register at https://miblindsports.org/sportscamp/ by April 15.
If you have any questions, please contact michigansec@gmail.com or (231) 445-5171.
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Applications are now open for Leader Dogs for the Blind's Teen Summer Camp and Teen Orientation and Mobility Program! These programs provide teens who are blind or low vision with the skills, confidence and independence to thrive!
Teen Summer Camp
June 22 – 28, 2025
This program combines fun activities with exploring mobility options, discovering leadership skills and building friendships with peers facing similar challenges. Campers receive a free HumanWare GPS to help increase their travel independence. They also have the opportunity to learn about living and working with a guide dog.
Teen Summer Camp is provided free of charge at Leader Dogs for the Blind’s Rochester Hills campus to 16- and 17-year old individuals who are legally blind, regardless of whether they plan to train with a guide dog. Public transportation to Leader Dog campus and accommodations and meals while training is also provided free of charge.
Apply at LeaderDog.org by Friday, April 4.
Teen Orientation & Mobility
June 8-14, July 13-19, August 10-16
Teen Orientation and Mobility (O&M) provides O&M training for teens who have completed a year of high school and education for a supporter (typically a family member) to learn more about blindness, the skills their loved one uses and how to help in O&M goals. Instruction can cover basic cane skills to advanced cane skills to guide dog readiness.
Participants in this program stay in a local hotel and participate in our traditional training environments. All travel, meals and hotel expenses are covered by Leader Dog. During the instruction period, clients and their supporters also receive a tour of the Leader Dog facilities.
This program, like Leader Dog’s traditional O&M program, takes place over the course of one week
Apply to one of the O&M sessions at LearderDog.org.
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Do you have an awesome BSBP counselor who goes above and beyond to help you (or your child) achieve your goals? Well now you can tell the world about them😊!
We would love to feature your counselor in one of our upcoming monthly newsletters! Complete your quick and easy nomination at https://forms.gle/i2EkPg72Z6927xEd8.
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Not a student currently working with BSBP and want to get in on the action?
BSBP has offices across the state and can meet you in the comfort of your own home and/or school. Contact our BSBP mainline at 1-800-292-4200 to get started or visit this link for office locations.
Questions for the Pre-ETS Team? Reach out to LEO-BSBPTransition@michigan.gov.
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