With just 22% of autistic people in paid employment (ONS, 2019), the event aimed to increase confidence and experience for undergraduate first-year students in undertaking a placement year whilst focusing on the valuable diversity that autism can bring to an employer, and how such diversity can be celebrated.
Sixteen students, alongside their guests (such as a parent, guardian or friend) were welcomed to Burleigh Court for the day to listen to bespoke presentations and take part in a variety of workshops. These included sessions from SWAI, the Careers Network and the Youth Sport Trust to support students in recognising the distinct work-based skills and strengths autism can offer when deciding on career paths, alongside practical skills such as completing application forms and interview techniques.
The day ended on a high thanks to a phenomenal Student Panel composed of students and alumni on the autistic spectrum who had undertaken career placements from engineering to graphic design with companies such as Mercedes Formula One and Disney. The panel members all welcomed the opportunity to share their experiences and answered questions from those in attendance.
Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive, with everyone citing it had reduced their anxieties around undertaking a placement and made them feel more prepared for starting one.
Preetie Jagdev, Practice Lead for the Disability Support Team, said: “I am delighted at the success of the event which has proven to be invaluable for providing autistic students with equitable and inclusive opportunities for placements.”
The event was the culmination of an innovative pilot programme of inclusive transition events for students on the autistic spectrum, and one which SWAI will build on the success of for the next academic year.
If your service is interested in exploring opportunities to work collaboratively with SWAI to support disabled students at pivotal points of change during their journey at Loughborough, please email Helen Shaw, Disability Access and Learning Manager at h.m.shaw@lboro.ac.uk.