What is a good job for somebody who can’t speak? Last March I had a total laryngectomy. So I have no vocal chords and cannot talk. I do have a robot voice translator, but nobody can ever understand what I am trying to say. And writing everything down just plain sucks.
I’m only 45 years old, so I have plenty of years ahead to make some cash. Right now I’m on disability, which actually pays more than my last job I had for 10 years! Which was substitute teaching. Can’t do that anymore.
My background is in teaching. I taught high school and college for a little while. Certified to teach in two states, which I never will be able to do. I have an MFA in painting, for the sole purpose of teaching at the college level. Is it possible to teach without ever speaking? My wife is a teacher, and says no. Love paying off those student loans for a career I’ll never have.
So any ideas? I’m sure they’re jobs for the silent, but how does the interview go? I’d prefer something with no human interaction, since co-workers love to hang out and gossip.
I’m not mute, but I can and do go many days without talking to anybody at work. I work 2nd shift at a datacenter. Most people are gone a few hours into my shift. And anytime an issue comes up, it is handled via email or text.
My deaf cousin worked in a bank. She did some kinda filing or accounting upstairs. She never spoke to anyone, (sign language) but her immediate supervisor. You sound more creative than that. Library work. It doesn’t pay well. I volunteer at a library, putting up books and putting the card catalogue on computer. I rarely speak to anyone there, except the 2 cats.
Warehouse work including training and safety. Seriously. The guy who taught me and a lot of others PIT/forklift was a deaf mute and he did a damn fine job between the prepared powerpoint and his skill at showing us exactly what to do and what we weren’t doing so well. Management wouldn’t be out of the question some places but ours relies on radio communication too much for it to work here.
Shot in the dark here, but since you appear to have an affinity towards art and painting, what about a career in an art museum in the restoration area? I remember getting a tour where there were people restoring/cleaning/repairing various art pieces; it was extremely quiet in the room.
I have an acquaintance who graded tests for a living when his son was born and he needed to work from home. Not exactly sure what school or agency he worked for…they were SAT tests or something along that line. Essays, yaknow?
My sister and her family are deaf. Her husband works in a factory and does ok.
But, given your background, keep teaching! Learning sign language isn’t easy but it’s a fun and rich language and you’ll be able to help deaf children learn. My sister had multitudes of problems with her one deaf child not getting a quality education in the deaf school due to a lack of teachers. So, please do that!
Otherwise, teaching online seems to be another great place to look.
One more thing to think about - Have you tried other speaking aids? There are a large variety out there that may work better than what you have.
