A whopping 85% of college grads affected by autism are unemployed
A whopping 85% of college grads affected by autism are unemployed. This figure is abysmal compared to the 2.1% unemployment rate for all college grads. Why are so many college grad autists unemployed? Because they have poor social skills and behave strangely, among other things.
Lesson: If you have poor social skills and behave strangely, then you are so fucked. Forget about finding a job in Investment Banking. It will be hard for you to find a job at all.
I mean, that makes sense? I feel people on here generally forget that humans are just intelligent monkeys. Why would people want to surround themselves every day with the weird monkey who can't figure out how to say hello without crying and nervously sweating? Just a part of life and its a learnable trait.
It's not that simple. Just because you claim something's "learnable" doesn't mean that it is something that anyone/everyone can learn.
Similar to someone's irrational fear of mice... the mouse is a 100x smaller than you and yet you still have this fear of it... hence why it's irrational... you can't easily fix a fear.
People on the spectrum, especially at the extremes of it, often can not verbalize their issues, which makes them all that more tricky to address and attempt to "fix." Communicating with other people, being unable to pick up on social cues, not understanding verbal and facial nuances such as winking, sarcasm or joking... if you didn't understand how these things worked, it would likely make you anxious and stressed as well.
There are certain companies that have initiatives to do something about this. It is a problem that I think should be taken seriously. Not every job has to have people interaction as an important function. Something like computer coding or auditing (list can go on) can be a place of comfort for someone who is autistic. It’s no fault of their own, simply genetic lotto.
If an autistic person applies and they have some sort of social awareness they wouldn't mention that they are autistic to a potential employer...
You are correct. Which is sad. I think there’s a huge problem with mental health stigma in general in this country. Just because someone is autistic doesn’t mean they cannot perform well at certain job functions. I’m not saying they should get special treatment for every job- like sales would be a horrible fit. Something task oriented with minimal people interaction would be a place they can excel. Hiring managers should be better educated about autism and how to handle interviews. To anyone who says this isn’t fair- life isn’t fair. Being born with autism isn’t fair.
You need a new hobby.
Nothing against anyone with autism, I'm not trying to judge. I don't know if this stat is true (I'm assuming its accurate) but also autism has a big spectrum. However, if someone can get through college you would think they would be able to get a job.
On the flip side, I think a mindset on this site is that hiring is a zero sum game. For example, a person with a 3.6 GPA is better than someone with a 3.5 GPA. Hiring has a lot to do with how you feel about someone, and if you get along with them. Not saying that people with autism have someone wrong with them or can't be good people; but someone interviewing with aspergers might be at a disadvantage.
Additionally, colleges will tend to bend things for students that can't be bent in the real world. I remember with college that other students with learning disabilities received extra time on tests, could sometimes take the test at home or in a private place. I always thought, yes it good to give them extra time, but what do they do in a job when you have to get a project done by 5? And firms get around this by using specific language in the job description "required to work in tight deadlines" aka, you don't get extra time to get things done.
Kinda weaved there, somewhat TL:DR- the world is tough, it's tough to get a job, people want to work with people they get along with.
It isn't. Jesus.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/most-college-grads-with-autism-cant-f…
OP, what's your source and do they account for the variance across the spectrum?
Fame, you on the spectrum?
Prime example of maximum
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learn to code
[Citation Needed]
It's a common statistic. Like how there's a 50% chance of heads when you flip a coin
if it was common knowledge, we wouldn't be asking for citations.
I didn't realize such a high percentage of WSO was unemployed... damn
I guess back office jobs have slowed down hiring.
Dude, there's nothing you can do about being on the spectrum except to address your weaknesses. I acknowledge your frustration, unnecessary revelation of your autism on WSO, and your effort in overcoming the weaknesses imposed upon you at birth or by your parent's choice to vaccinate you. Keep on applying. Good luck!
They should have applied to my old shop. Everyone was autistic.
Quant fund?
Lol no, I say it half-sarcastically (but half seriously). It wasn't anything extremely technical, I think it was just a strange group of people. structured finance.
Not to be a dick, but the answer is in the question. Breaking into finance is incredibly cut-throat these days and social fluidity is a huge factor in hiring. People get axed from interviews for the smallest things in the world - the symptoms that autism carries are likely going to be dealbreakers in the interview stages of finding employment. That and you have to look at it from the perspective of every autistic person you hire out of pity, is also taking food off of the plate of someone else who just plain deserved the job and may have been a better fit.
My heart goes out to the autistic community and their families, I've dealt with seeing some family members overcome adversity and it really tears you apart knowing someone you love is unfulfilled and down on themselves. I'm a conservative man but I do hope the government will create exogenous incentives (tax breaks) for companies that find administrative/back office type roles for those with autism. This is one situation where I don't think the odds are going to be stacked against non-retarded people if the government intervenes.
Does it feel good to just write shit like this all day? Did you lose your job at Buzzfeed earlier this month?
Yes it feels good. It is intellectually stimulating
What kind of job are you looking for and in what region?
Curious to see what the other 15% are doing. I mean specifically? are they in low simulating jobs or if there are a high percentage that work with family members (small business, clinics, non-profits, etc.)
What do you mean by low simulating jobs?
I mean no ill will, i mean jobs that aren't intellectually strenuous, or something that requires a great deal of coordination.
This might be an issue with diagnosis. I am uncertain if everyone who has it gets diagnosed but the most severe cases do. 85% seems high.
I think a lot of successful people are on the spectrum. Personally think I have a mild case. then again in trading 80% might have a mild case.
im fucked
so fucked*
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