NYC Employer Connect 2021 - Virtual Program for Students on Autism Spectrum
Priority Application Deadline: Monday, June 7, 2021
Are you on the Autism spectrum or do you have a similar neurodivergent profile? Are you concerned about employment after graduating college or are you an autistic college graduate in search of a job? Do you want help learning how to network, conduct a job search, and/or socialize in professional settings? If so, this may be the program and the opportunity for you.
Apply for Integrate’s free Employer Connect program and meet virtually with select employers who are eager to share with you their best practices for finding a job and navigating the job search process. Meet with staff from various companies and learn about corporate culture, how to create impactful “elevator pitches,” and how to utilize LinkedIn to create a professional network. Last year’s companies included Prudential, Wells Fargo, Merck, Cisco, ViacomCBS, LinkedIn, and more.
Integrate is currently seeking college students and college graduates with an Autism Spectrum (ASD) profile to participate in its Employer Connect program in the NYC area. Below you will find information on the program, eligibility, and instructions on how to apply.
About Integrate’s Employer Connect:
- A group of participants will meet virtually with representatives from select companies in the NYC area. Participants will be given an exclusive view into the corporate world and the opportunity to interact with senior executives, hiring managers, and recruiting professionals from various industries. The program provides participants with the opportunity to learn about corporate culture, refine job search skills, effectively present themselves as job candidates, and improve their networking skills while expanding their networks.
- To date, over 300 participants in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, and New England have completed this program.
A typical event schedule will be as follows:
- Introductions
- Company Overview
- Interactive Job Search Activity (e.g., mock interviews, elevator pitches, impactful resume writing, using social media for a job search, etc.)
- Small Group Networking
Eligibility:
- Autistic Individuals who have completed at least one year as an undergraduate OR graduates (college and masters level) who have received their degrees
- All areas of study are welcome
- Must have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis
- Should be interested in learning about different corporate work environments and improving job search skills
Program Requirements:
To participate, you must:
- Attend a minimum of 10 sessions: orientation session, job search skills training session, post-program debrief meeting (all mandatory), and seven (of eight or more) company sessions. (Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, however.)
- Follow directions regarding dress code and behavior.
- Come prepared to sessions by conducting research on the host company and by preparing questions to ask company representatives (addressed at orientation).
- Have a profile on LinkedIn or set one up prior to participating in the Employer Connect program.
- Attend virtual sessions independently unless an accommodation has been requested in advance.
- Be on time for each session or notify Integrate if there is an unavoidable delay.
- In accordance with what is safe and appropriate in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, sessions will take place virtually.
- Sessions generally take place once a week on a weekday (Monday through Thursday) from October through December. They will usually take place from 3:00-5:00 PM Eastern Time. (The exact schedule will be provided to you before Orientation.)
- Examples of topics that will be discussed include: understanding and creating your own personal brand; developing your 30 second elevator pitch; deciphering corporate culture; how to research a company and prepare for an interview; writing a compelling resume and cover letter; dressing appropriately for the workplace; how to handle behavioral interview questions; career planning; interviewing; and business etiquett
- Integrate staff will be present at each session.
To Apply:
Please follow all instructions carefully, as it is an important criterion to indicate work readiness.
- The priority deadline to apply is Monday, June 7, 2021. Please note that there is a 2-step process to complete an application.
- Step 1: Candidates should submit their resume to the New York Employer Connect posting on Integrate’s website (www.integrateadvisors.org/recruitment).
- Step 2: Candidates will then receive a follow up email with an application form. Please submit the application form by the specified deadline in the email. Only applications that have submitted the application form will be considered complete.
- Candidates who apply by the priority deadline will be given first consideration. Applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How much does it cost to participate in the Employer Connect program?
A: Due to generous sponsorship, there is no program fee for participants.
Q: Which companies will participate in the Employer Connect program?
A: An official announcement of this year’s companies will come out in August 2021.
Q: Will the companies consider students for jobs or internships?
A: The hosting company is not obligated to offer positions or interviews to the participants in the program. However, participants will get the chance to share their resumes with company employees and may apply for open positions with the company. Integrate will facilitate this process, if the company requests.
Q: How many employees will be present for the session?
A: The companies’ human resources staff, including their recruiting managers, along with managers from several departments, will be present. Employer Connect is meant to be interactive, so typically the ratio of company employees to program participants is at a minimum 1:1.
Q: Who is Integrate Autism Employment Advisors?
A: Integrate Autism Employment Advisors (“Integrate”) is a non-profit organization founded in 2010 that helps organizations identify, recruit, and retain professionals on the autism spectrum. Our goal is to increase inclusive, competitive employment for college graduates with autism. Visit www.integrateadvisors.org, call 212-839-0030 ext 2, or email info@integrateadvisors.org.