Why Angela Has a Passion to Help Build Meaningful Careers for Neurodivergent People

What was your background before coming to Specialisterne Australia? 

My background is mainly in training and education, with qualifications in education, TESOL and also project management. I have managed numerous workforce development projects over the past 10-15 years, working with people who are disadvantaged in the job market in some way. I've worked with many disadvantaged groups in the labour market, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, those experiencing domestic violence, mature-aged women trying to re-enter the workforce and long-term unemployed.

I’m driven by trying to assist people to find meaningful employment and to progress in their careers, whatever their circumstances. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity for meaningful employment, it’s such a fundamental thing that impacts your life outcomes and quality of life.

There are so many barriers for neurodivergent individuals seeking employment and to maintain employment, to feel valued and included. Making workplaces more inclusive is what drives me every day.

What is your role at Specialisterne Australia and what do your day-to-day responsibilities look like? 

In my role as General Manager - Neurodiversity Support and Advisory my main focus is supporting my team of Neurodiversity Coaches to provide services to our clients, such as neurodiversity coaching, training and advisory services. We deliver a range of services that are focussed upon building the knowledge, skills and capacity of the whole business from neurodivergent employees to the teams they work within.

My role is also about managing client relationships and ensuring our clients have the services they need to have an impact in neuroinclusion in their workplace. It’s about understanding what their needs are and tailoring our workplace support services to that. Part of my role is to try and help them understand what is the best solution, or fit, in terms of what they're trying to achieve in neuroinclusion in their workplace.

Part of my role is also working across Specialisterne Global to develop our workplace support services in a way that we can deliver it to global clients in multiple locations. It's about us having consistency about how we deliver our coaching and workplace support by developing best practice for Specialisterne Global and also being aware of the cultural impacts of delivering workplace support in different geographical locations.

What it will do is enable us to work more with global clients who have footprints across the world to be able to support them in multiple locations and to support neuroinclusion. 

Why are you passionate about Specialisterne’s mission to enable 1 million autistic and neurodivergent people to have careers?

I have always had a real passion for supporting people to have meaningful careers. I believe everyone has talents, strengths and capabilities that are of value to employers. And too often, there are barriers which stop people from getting a suitable role, keeping a role or progressing in their career. 

I've seen a lot of people who are under-employed who have much more to give but are in roles that don't realise their strengths and talents. Specialisterne’s mission really speaks to me because it’s a tangible goal in terms of assisting neurodivergent individuals, not only to find meaningful employment but to also have a career and progress within their career.

I was drawn to work with Specialisterne because I really like the way that neurodivergent people are viewed as an asset to a business. It's not about changing the person to fit into the workplace, but it's about the workplace understanding how to be inclusive and supportive of neurodivergent individuals.

It's turning the perception on its head. It’s promoting to businesses how having different thinking, different ways of doing, and different skill sets is an advantage. 

What are your tips for employers who are looking to hire and retain autistic and neurodivergent people in the workforce?

It’s important for employers to listen to individuals about what their needs are, and what their strengths and talents are. Every neurodivergent individual is different, so I think employers can run the risk of putting everyone in the same category in terms of their needs. So I would suggest employers to keep an open mind, listen to what the needs are of your individual employees, and provide the necessary adjustments, accommodations and supports to assist individuals to thrive in the workplace.

What are your tips for autistic and neurodivergent jobseekers who want to thrive in their careers? 

The biggest tip I would give to neurodivergent jobseekers is to develop self-advocacy skills - learn to identify what their needs and strengths and talents are and how to communicate that to an employer. 

Having an ally within the workplace can be really helpful too because I know it's not always easy to advocate for your needs. But I think if you've got an ally or a buddy or a great manager, or someone in the workplace who can support you with your needs, then that can sometimes be very helpful.