色花堂

More than 700,000 autistic people will transition into adulthood in the U.S. in the next decade. And 85% of autistic college graduates are unemployed or underemployed.

The Autism Hiring Program in the Hussman Center for Adults with Autism within the Institute for Well-Being at 色花堂 partnered with the (AUSOM) to help these highly skilled and eager adults navigate the job search process and become a part of the workforce. The program comes at no cost to participants.

More than 700,000 autistic people will transition into adulthood in the U.S. in the next decade. And 85% of autistic college graduates are unemployed or underemployed.

鈥淲e focus on long-term retainment of employability skills,鈥� says Kimberly Hubscher, Autism Hiring Program coordinator. 鈥淲e want to encourage and empower all the candidates to learn the skills in our program, find opportunities and make connections with potential employers that are eager to embrace neurodiversity.鈥�

The first cohort completed the Autism Hiring Program in December 2024 and included Andrew Martini 鈥�23. He graduated with a degree in music from the College of Fine Arts and Communication and saw the program as a path to supplementing his income and a way to learn additional skills that will also help him benefit in other aspects of his life.

鈥淢y main job right now is to be a professional vocalist on the weekend, but I wanted something more consistent. Since graduating from the program, I鈥檝e gotten a couple of job offers,鈥� Martini noted. 

One was a food prep chef position for Aramark鈥檚 Tiger Hospitality Catering Team, which Martini ultimately ended up accepting. Ebony Harris, Tiger Hospitality鈥檚 HR manager, was thrilled to have Martini join the team. 鈥淲e want to continue to diversify the workplace, and by hiring neurodiverse candidates, our entire staff can begin to normalize interacting with autistic adults too.鈥�

About the program

As part of the 10-week schedule, participants meet weekly to discuss different topics of professionalism, such as communication, disclosure, interview skills, networking, problem-solving and anxiety in the workplace. Guided by Hubscher, the candidates share advice with each other, discuss hesitations they may have and determine solutions.

Also weekly, the cohort members meet one-on-one with Hubscher to work on their professional goals. Departments across campus have been engaged in developing skills assistance for program participants. For example, the Department of Human Resources conducted mock interviews with candidates to help prepare for the real thing.

鈥淭he program was all around very helpful,鈥� says Martini. 鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 ever applied to a 鈥榬eal job,鈥� so all the information helped quell my nerves. The mock interviews were the most helpful, and I learned all about resume building.鈥�

If you鈥檙e struggling, other people are in the same boat as you. When you achieve things, you get to share in the successes.

Andrew Martini '23

But the program was more for Martini than professional development. 鈥淚 was able to network and share achievements that might go unappreciated to others,鈥� he shares. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e struggling, other people are in the same boat as you. When you achieve things, you get to share in the successes.鈥�

Beyond the program

鈥淚 like to tell people that we understand that getting hired and getting the job is the first step鈥攊t's not our end goal,鈥� Hubscher explains. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to get a job, it鈥檚 another thing that both parties feel supported in maintaining long-term employment.鈥�

Program graduates meet with her as frequently as they鈥檇 like, often starting with weekly meetings and then fading to monthly and then as needed. The meetings are a place for graduates to ask questions, discuss challenges or talk about whatever they鈥檇 like. Graduates are also invited to attend monthly alumni meetings with AUSOM, where they can connect and continue learning from each other.

It鈥檚 one thing to get a job, it鈥檚 another thing that both parties feel supported in maintaining long-term employment.

Kimberly Hubscher, autism hiring program coordinator

Employers, like Harris, can also request training. Hubscher and the Autism Hiring Program help employees understand and overcome challenges that may happen after hiring an autistic adult. This training helps neurotypical employees work through skills like self-regulation, de-escalation and other accommodations to help the workday go smoothly. Employers learn about implementing neuro-affirming practices, which help them adjust biases and behaviors. The program also offers support with onboarding and access to resources that enhance workplace success.

鈥淏efore hiring Andrew, we already had several neurodiverse employees, and we really wanted to learn to be better managers and how to handle different situations better,鈥� says Harris. 鈥淭he trainings are a great opportunity to put tools in our toolbox to work through any challenge that comes up鈥攚hatever the issue, whatever the background.鈥�

Hubscher and her team can provide trainings to employers before hiring candidates. They focus on a variety of topics, from finding autistic candidates to enhancing accommodating interview procedures.

鈥淗iring autistic adults benefits everyone the workplace,鈥� notes Hubscher. 鈥淚鈥檝e heard several cohort members mention that they just want to be given a chance at something, to be given a chance to show their skills. They鈥檙e tired of hearing 鈥榥o.鈥� This program helps employers understand how eager, determined and talented this untapped workforce is and how it can benefit their business.鈥�