NC State values the career development of every student. The Students Moving Forward career-program is specifically designed for NC State students who identify as Autistic/being on the autism spectrum. Each fall and spring semester, we engage our students in critical career development competencies and connect them with employers who value neurodiversity. Students do not need to have an official diagnosis of autism to join and may participate on an as-needed basis.
What We Do
Students Moving Forward (1) provides evidenced-based career guidance for students who are Autistic/on the autism spectrum; (2) cultivates a sense of community for students and strengthens their social and professional networks; and (3) helps students obtain and successfully navigate paid, degree-related internships and full-time post-graduate opportunities.
During the fall and spring semesters, students participate in a total of 10 group meetings (five per semester). Each meeting has its own topic and frequently hosts guest speakers from various industries and organizations that actively support neurodiversity.
If you would like to register for Students Moving Forward, please use this link. You may register at any point during the semester and registration does not mean you are obligated to attend each meeting (but we hope you will).
**All SMF meetings for Fall 2020 will be virtual**
Meeting dates and times for the Fall 2020 semester are as follows:
- Tuesday, September 15th, at 4:30pm
- Tuesday, September 22nd, at 5:30pm
- Tuesday, October 6th, at 5:30pm
- Tuesday, October 20th, at 5:30pm
- Tuesday, November 3rd, at 5:30pm
Each meeting is 90-minutes in length and will cover a specific topic relevant to career readiness. Topics include areas such as resumes, cover letters, mock interviews with employers, Q&A panels with employers, discussions on making the transition from student to professional, and more.
Students Moving Forward is fortunate to have established partnerships and support from campus partners such as SAS, the UNC TEACCH® Autism Program, and the LiNC-IT internship program.
As a member of Students Moving Forward, our students will have direct contact and multiple interactions with recruiters and industry leaders from across the NC. In addition, we welcome new partnerships and are always interested to speak with reputable organizations serious about hiring a neurodiverse workforce.
In addition, we know it is important for students to see and hear from people who have shared identities that have successfully navigated the world of work. For this reason, Students Moving Forward incorporates a Professional Advisory Board of local Autistic professionals from a range of careers to help advise the focus of the program in addition to providing mentorship opportunities for our students.
October 9th at 11am – 3:30pm held virtually via Zoom & Career Fair+ (Register for links.)
This year’s career summit will be sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina! Last year we had over 110 attendees including 67 students from 17 different colleges and universities, and 11 organizations. This year we are hoping to increase these numbers and serve even more students.
Information about the career summit:
The summit is for students who identify as Autistic/being on the autism spectrum across the entire state of North Carolina–students from all colleges and universities are welcome!
Attendance for students and employers is free and the event will be held virtually using Zoom and the Career Fair+ app. This is an opportunity for colleges/universities and employers across NC to unite and support neurodiversity in career development. If you are a college student, or recent graduate, and identify as being Autistic/on the autism spectrum, this summit is for you.
What to expect at this event
- Learn from Autistic professional Marcelle Ciampi, Senior Recruiter & Outreach Specialist at Ultranauts, during our keynote conversation.
- Engage with the #ActuallyAutistic professional and student panel
- Participate in a career fair with employers and organizations who embrace neurodiversity and are actively recruiting neurodiverse students
- Connect with college/university staff, professionals, and other students who support and affirm neurodiversity
Registration is Now Live!
- Students register here (graduates & professional job seekers may also use this link):
- Step one: register here go.ncsu.edu/careersummit2020-students
- Step two: create a Career Fair+ profile to view the employers attending the career fair and to schedule an appointment.
- Employers & Organization Representatives register here:
- Friends/family, clinicians, higher ed professionals, and allies can register here:
If you are a student, staff/faculty, employer, or a parent with additional questions concerning Students Moving Forward, please contact Wesley Wade at wjwade@ncsu.edu