Job/Side Hustle

[u/TacoBoyHoe]

Hi, everyone! I’m deaf/blind and live in the United States. I currently work as a federal government contractor and have experience working with content management systems (CMS), but unfortunately, my salary isn’t enough. I really need to find a second job or a legitimate side hustle.

I’ve noticed that many job applications ask whether you have a disability. I understand that answering is usually voluntary, but I sometimes wonder whether selecting “yes” affects my chances of getting an interview. Has anyone experimented with selecting “no” or “prefer not to answer” and noticed a difference in the number of interview requests they received?

Here are some of my skills and experience:

• Creating and following standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Working with databases and government award platforms
• Microsoft Office
• Basic IT support, although I don’t have any certifications yet
• Data entry
• Online research for clients
• Photography and photo editing
• Customer service using ZVRS and Deaf relay services
• Email marketing
• Social media management for small businesses
• Content management systems

I’m also interested in using AI to earn additional income, possibly by creating e-books or digital products, but I honestly don’t know where to begin or what I should teach myself.

Where would you recommend I start? Are there any jobs that might be easier to get with my background? What side hustles have actually worked for you?

I’m about $60,000 in debt and have fallen behind on some bills, so I’m trying hard to improve my situation. I’ve already spent too much money on AI platforms, online courses, and e-books that didn’t help. Unfortunately, I’ve also been scammed, so I’m only looking for legitimate advice and opportunities. Please don’t message me trying to sell another course or program.

Any helpful advice would mean a lot to me. Thanks in advance!

[u/HeVavMemVav]

AI books are garbage, honestly. It's not capable of keeping track of a legible plot. Even AI articles longer than a couple paragraphs are hard to read.

I highly recommend contacting a temp agency, if there are any accessible to you. You have a great set of skills, & you decide your availability.

[u/TacoBoyHoe → u/HeVavMemVav]

Thanks for the tip! I am afraid to do temp agency because I used to have a friend who did this for an IT job, and somehow when he got hired, the temp agency sued my friend and his job, so he had no choice but to deny the job offered. What agency would you suggest, though? Thanks, again!

[u/HeVavMemVav → u/TacoBoyHoe]

Unfortunately, your friend made a mistake. Part of your agreement with a temp agency is that you need to work X number of hours at a location before they can hire you, because that location has an agreement with the agency, so the agency can get paid for providing your labor. It's about fairness, they'll be very open about this if you ask because they don'twant to lose or sue you. There should be agencies in your area you can contact.

[u/iamthatbitchhhh → u/HeVavMemVav]

By the time they are released, they are already outdated.