Autism and the gap from education to employment
Imagine living your entire life within a rigid structure, only for it to be taken away at the most crucial juncture of your existence. For people who attend university with a view to improving their prospects, the gap between graduation and employment can be insurmountable.
If you are fortunate enough to be born into a financially stable position, you will have known structure your entire life. From a young age, you only know the rules to the education system. Classes are scheduled, homework has deadlines, and teachers are available to provide guidance. Once the day ends, you know you won't have to think about where your next meal comes from, or how the rent will be paid.
Eventually you graduate, and then... what?
The education system has fulfilled it's obligation to you. You have been spat out. You are no longer a student.
You are on your own.
This is your first time without any sort of mandated structure. Finding work is difficult, but you know it will be harder for you. The whole point of the education system was to set you up for employment, and yet you are abandoned at the very last hurdle. To further compound the issue, you now have to cook meals and pay bills. You are vastly overwhelmed.
This was my observation as someone who has just graduated from university. I am a career changer, having known what it is like to work in a corporate environment and now what it is like to go into higher education.
I am fortunate enough to have someone in my life who can provide me with emotional and financial support, but even then I am still struggling to navigate the job market as someone with autism. I frequently flip flop between disclosing my needs or not. I know from experience that some employers will see my disability as problematic, but I also want to work for an employer that can accommodate me. But then I also need money, and at some stage something has got to give!
Speaking from experience, many employers will state that they are inclusive but this acceptance doesn't translate into understanding. Employers don't see the internal struggle that we go through everyday, and will try to force you into a mould you know you cannot fit. This is made worse if the job in question assigns you an hourly rate, where your way of thinking can't keep up with the break neck KPIs.
That is assuming you can even progress past the multi stage interviews and networking you will need to go through to secure work in the first place.
A lot more needs to be done, and I think it is the responsibility of universities to bridge the gap between education and employment. It isn't enough to provide extension deadlines and guided study sessions. Universities need to introduce neurodivergent students to friendly employers ahead of graduation so that the time between study and employment is minimised.
The framework for this already exists. Universities provide (neurotypical targeted) career days that introduce students to prospective employers. Why can't this be adapted to suit the needs of the neurodivergent?
There also needs to be an aftercare package, someone who is available to mentor you and check in on your progress. Whilst many of us will have supportive family and friends, they might not have relevant knowledge of the job market. Again, care packages are already offered by universities for the duration of your study. Why can't this be extended into employment?
In an ideal world, universities should just know all of this, but that isn't realistic. For these ideas (and others) to happen, you will need to be vocal in any way you think you can. Speak to your lecturers, write an email, submit feedback via whatever form possible. Remember, university staff aren't bad people, they just don't know. Be kind but firm in your opinions and be prepared to explain your needs in detail.
With enough awareness, things will begin to change.