Investing in tomorrow: AIM Career Week to enhance career prospects for students
Everyone feels it 鈥 the stress of seeking your first job after college 鈥 but it can be even more pronounced for those on the autism spectrum.
That鈥檚 why the award-winning Autism Initiative at 私房俱乐部 (AIM) is launching a new career intensive on the cusp of the 2024-25 academic year. 聽
Beginning Monday, Aug. 12, a group of rising seniors and fifth-year graduate students will return to campus a week before school starts to participate in AIM Career Week, a pilot program orchestrated by Ryan Palm, executive director of the Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity, which oversees AIM. 聽
The goal is to equip students with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to successfully transition from academia to the workforce. Through a series of workshops, networking events, and career coaching, the new initiative aims to address the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent job seekers, providing them with tailored resources and strategies to thrive in diverse professional environments.
Although the Autism Initiative already includes an innovative career-prep component, it is infused into the program鈥檚 overall curriculum. 聽
鈥淲e got feedback that some students were feeling overwhelmed by preparing for the job market while keeping up academically, so we decided to offer a weeklong intensive focused entirely on things like resumes, interviewing, networking, and more,鈥 Palm said. 聽
Eighteen eligible students were invited to participate, and 12 signed up, said Palm, who was pleased with the strong turnout. Since he assumed leadership of the McGarry Center in 2023, Palm has had his eye on making AIM鈥檚 career module even more robust.
According to widely published research, 85 percent of adults on the autism spectrum with college degrees are unemployed. To AIM鈥檚 credit, as many as 60 percent of its graduates are employed.
鈥淭here needs to be more,鈥 said Palm. 鈥淲e鈥檙e committed to bridging that gap, ensuring our students don鈥檛 just graduate but also find meaningful and fulfilling careers. AIM Career Week is just the beginning; it鈥檚 about laying a solid foundation for their future and opening doors that lead to real opportunities. We鈥檙e excited to see how this initiative will help our students take the next step toward successful and rewarding careers.鈥
Before their arrival on campus, students engaged in virtual sessions with an occupational therapist consultant who enlightened them on strategies for dealing with stress, fostering self-care, and developing the right mindset for career pursuits.
Among the week鈥檚 highlights, students will hear from guest speakers representing JPMorgan Chase, the Neurodiversity Employment Network of Philadelphia, and the local Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. 聽
On Monday, they will attend the equivalent of a business dinner, where they will get tips on how to conduct themselves professionally from Hospitality Management鈥檚 Pete Zohos. Later in the week, they will visit Macy鈥檚, where they will purchase business attire for interviews.
They鈥檒l also take field trips, including a visit to KeyBank in Cleveland, where they will meet the hiring team and learn about the bank鈥檚 Autism at Work program. 聽
Another feature of the week is a panel discussion with three AIM graduates 鈥 Paul Cohen, Ben VanHook, and Norm Mingolelli 鈥 who will share their thoughts on achieving success in the job market. 聽
The entire week, which will simulate a nine to five work schedule, is being made possible by a grant from the Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust. 聽
PHOTO: Ryan Palm, executive director of the Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity聽