What if one weekend could help you feel clearer, more confident, and more prepared for what comes next in your career?
That’s the question behind Career Climb, an in-person weekend workshop hosted by Penny Forward in partnership with Minnesota State Services for the Blind, taking place April 17–19, 2026 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Career Climb was created for blind, low vision, and DeafBlind students who are ready to move forward—but may still be sorting through questions like:
- What am I really good at?
- How do I talk about my strengths with confidence?
- How do career decisions connect to money, pay, and independence?
- What should my next step actually be?
Rather than offering more information to absorb, Career Climb focuses on practice, clarity, and action.
What Makes Career Climb Different
Career Climb isn’t a lecture-based conference or a one-size-fits-all workshop. It’s a hands-on, supportive experience designed to help students actively build skills and confidence they can use right away.
Over three immersive days, participants will:
- Discover their strengths and leadership style, gaining language to describe what they bring to the table
- Practice professional communication, including elevator pitches, interviewing, and networking
- Strengthen career tools, such as resumes and LinkedIn profiles, aligned to real goals
- Build financial confidence, exploring how salary, budgeting, and benefits connect to employment decisions
- Create a 90-day Career Climb Action Plan, turning insights into clear next steps
Just as importantly, students build community—learning alongside peers who understand their experiences and challenges, and receiving guidance from facilitators who bring both professional expertise and lived experience.
Support That Continues Beyond the Weekend
Career Climb doesn’t end on Sunday afternoon.
Participants also receive five individual coaching sessions after the workshop. These sessions help students apply what they learned, stay accountable to their goals, and continue building momentum as they move forward in their career journey.
This combination of immersive learning plus follow-up coaching is one of the reasons agencies and counselors value Career Climb as a complement to existing vocational and transition services.
Who Should Consider Career Climb?
Career Climb is a strong fit for students who:
- Are preparing for employment or career transitions
- Want to feel more confident talking about their strengths and goals
- Would benefit from structured, practical career tools
- Are ready to take ownership of their next steps—but don’t want to do it alone
While Minnesota students are strongly encouraged to participate, Penny Forward also welcomes referrals from other state agencies serving blind, low vision, and DeafBlind individuals.
A Program Built on Learning Without Limits
At Penny Forward, we believe that learning works best when it’s accessible, applied, and grounded in real life. Career Climb reflects that belief by combining learning, career development, and financial empowerment into one integrated experience.
It’s not about perfection.
It’s about progress.
And it’s about helping students see what’s possible—and take action toward it.
Interested in Learning More?
If you’re a student, we encourage you to talk with your counselor or caseworker about whether this opportunity is a good fit. Not sure who you should call? Contact Jeremy.Grandstaff@PennyForward.com or 703-804-0523, and we can help.
If you’re a counselor, agency partner, or program leader, we welcome the chance to talk with you directly about referrals, logistics, and how Career Climb can support the students you serve.
Career Climb: April 17–19, 2026
Minnesota State Services for the Blind, Saint Paul
Contact: Jeremy.Grandstaff@PennyForward.com
Phone: 703-804-0523
Let’s help students turn potential into progress—together.
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