Landmark College staff, students, and alumni are partnering with researchers at Cornell University as part of a project dedicated to advancing neuroinclusivity in the workforce.
The Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability at the Cornell University School for Industrial and Labor Relations has received National Science Foundation funding to explore the experiences of autistic people pursuing careers in STEM. Researchers believe that traditional job interview and hiring processes may help to explain why autistic people are not employed at rates similar to non-autistic peers.
Susanne Bruyère, academic director at the Yang-Tan Institute, is a co-Principal Investigator on the project. “We know that employment participation for many neurodivergent individuals can be significantly improved, and navigating the interview process is a critical part of gaining job entry," said Bruyère.
As part of the research project, staff from the Landmark College Office of Career Connections will work with Cornell researchers to interview students, employers, and career counselors. Landmark students and alumni with autism will also be interviewed about their experiences navigating the search for employment in the STEM sector as neurodivergent individuals.
Senior Director of Career Connections Jan Coplan said that she hopes the research will help to "build an economy where there are less artificial barriers between employers and autistic talent," in turn advancing economic and societal opportunity for neurodivergent people.
Learn more about this research project and the work of the Yang-Tan Institute at Cornell University.