Since April is the month we raise awareness about Autism. Let me throw something out there, many people on the autism spectrum, including me, have trouble finding jobs. We can send out all the applications and resumes we want, but we usually get ignored. I mean, I have created a visual resume with nearly 14,000 views, and still nothing! Sadly, many other people on the Autism spectrum faces this same problem.
Now, Microsoft is taking a new strategy, and hire more people with Autism. A great and bold idea!
Microsoft has announced that it will make a concerted effort to hire people with autism. They will be working with specialist employment agency Specialisterne, which trains and finds positions for people diagnosed on the autism spectrum, the program will kick off in May with 10 full-time positions in the company’s Redmond, Wash., corporate headquarters.
Corporate vice president of worldwide operations Mary Ellen Smith has a 19-year-old son diagnosed with autism. And she said on their company blog “Microsoft is stronger when we expand opportunity and we have a diverse workforce that represents our customers. People with autism bring strengths that we need at Microsoft, each individual is different, some have amazing ability to retain information, think at a level of detail and depth or excel in math or code. It’s a talent pool that we want to continue to bring to Microsoft!”
This is not the first time Microsoft has gotten involved with autism programs. In 2001, the company expanded its health benefits plan to cover a promising therapy for children with autism. The company also educates employees on autism spectrum disorders and has hosted a hackathon to help address issue with autism. They are passionate about hiring individuals of all disabilities and they believe with them, they can create, support, and build great products and services. Thank you Microsoft for doing something like this!
If you or anyone you know with Autism is interesting in applying for the jobs Microsoft is wanting to fill, applicants can email their resumes to Microsoft at: msautism@microsoft.com.
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