Stephanie Wang

stephanie.wang@indystar.com

At Indiana School for the Deaf's career day Thursday, the students peppered presenters with questions.

Do you like your job? How much is your workload? Do we really need to learn social studies?

What kind of workers do managers look for?

What college did you go to?

Defense Finance and Accounting Services financial management analyst Christian Hanawalt shared with students about his bachelor's degree and master's in business administration: "Being deaf is no excuse for not having high standards," he signed, "I can do whatever I want to."

For its first career day in decades, the school brought in about 25 presenters — most of them deaf — to share information about their jobs in human resources, information technology and communications. They showcased their work as an architect, an artist, a photographer and a chef.

The day was meant to let high school students investigate different careers. But it also served as a bridge to the community, school transition coordinator Renee Haack signed.

"There are some people who don't realize that deaf people are employable," she signed. "Language is always a barrier."

But it's not an insurmountable one — and it was one that school officials seemed more conscious of than the students.

The students plotted their paths to becoming accountants and lawyers. Worrying over communication issues? Jeff Spinale, an 18-year-old senior, shrugged.

"I'm a people person," he signed. "I'm good at communicating."

Still, the presenters covered what it's like for Hanawalt to work with his manager, Robert Weeden, who can hear and has limited sign language abilities.

They check in daily, using interpreters or instant messaging if they can't come across clearly to each other.

"We learned to get by," Weeden said. "I don't allow that communication factor to be a blockade."

Above all else, the presenters stressed the value of an education, which will help students work with others and solve problems:

"It's a ticket to play the game," Weeden said.

Call Star reporter Stephanie Wang at (317) 444-6184. Follow her on Twitter: @stephaniewang.