Background

Having identified which types of jobs you may enjoy and be good at, it is important that you gain work experience. Several research studies have found that having work experience and taking part in employment programmes organised by schools increase the chances of employment for people on the Autism Spectrum. In fact, in a recent research project carried out by the Solent Job Programme employers identified work or volunteering experience as one of the most valued factors.

Why is this relevant?

Work experience not only builds your CV but it also allows you to explore whether the career or job you are considering is really ideal for you. Some people find when doing work experience that the job is not what they thought it was or that it requires skills which do not suit their strengths. So work experience is the perfect way to ensure a chosen job matches your preferences and skills but also helps to identify any training you may need. In a way, sometimes, it is easier to rule out careers prospects by trying them out.

However, paid work placements may be difficult to find. Initially, many people have to settle for unpaid or volunteer experience . Although not monetarily rewarding, volunteering does provide experience and demonstrates your level of motivation to employers.

What can I do to gain work or volunteering experience?

There are a wide variety of ways to gain work experience and the best way to do it really depends upon your situation as well as what is available to you.

School work experience programmes

If you are still in secondary education your school is very likely to offer a work experience programme and support in searching for a placement that is ideal for you. Many schools have now career advisors with autism expertise, so they will have a good understanding of what your needs may be and which employers would be ideal for you. They also have very good links with local employers so they make the task much easier for you.

Local programmes

If you are no longer in education you can still access job placement programmes. Most local councils nowadays offer work experience programmes for a variety of groups, including those in the Autism Spectrum. There are also a myriad of initiatives by various organisations around the country that offer job experience programmes specific to autism.

Design the ideal job experience opportunity for you

You do not have to wait for opportunities to be advertised. You can start by letting friends and family know that you are looking for work experience. Alternatively, consider approaching organisations which are of interest to you. For instance, if you would like some gardening work experience you can look for local gardening companies and contact them directly. This may sound a bit daunting at first, but most employers welcome people who take the initiative, and the experience may lead to a permanent job someday.

When contacting them, you may want to consider doing the following:

• Introduce yourself and explain why you are contacting them
• State clearly which specific experience your are looking for, whether pay or unpaid. It is a good idea to say you are looking for a paid placement, but would consider an unpaid placement if necessary.
• Explain why you would like a placement with them (i.e., because you are pursing a career in gardening).
• Attach a CV listing work experience and qualifications. If you have no previous work experience or relevant qualifications, describe any skills you may have from informal experiences (i.e., hobbies or interests groups you have attended).

Practical tips

• To find organisations that offer placement opportunities in your area, do an online search, for instance in Google, using the words: "Into Work".
• Ideally, you would do a placement in an area that matches exactly the job that you would like to do in the future. However, this is not always possible. You may want to consider doing a placement that offers you the opportunity to learn the skills you will need in your ideal job. For example, you may want to do a placement that requires you to work in a team, to develop your team work skills.
• Once in a placement, show initiative and enthusiasm by asking for extra tasks or identifying which tasks may need doing. Research shows that employers value initiative and enthusiasm highly.
• Get feedback from any placement you do, so you can identify your strengths and any areas you may need to improve.
• Keep in touch. Once the placement is finished, stay in contact. They may be able to provide you with a reference in the future or consider you for any job opportunities that may arise if they feel you are interested.

Questions to think about

• When looking for a placement: What are your strengths? What are your hobbies? Strengths and interests are the first things you need to identify when deciding of an ideal placement for you. What sort of jobs rely on your strengths and which fit your interests?
• Before you start a placement: What is it that you want to learn from the experience? What skills do you want to develop?
• During your work experience: What are the things that stand out to you? What are the aspects you enjoy more? What are the ones you do not enjoy? What are you good at?
• At the end: What have you learnt? What skills have you developed and how can they help you in the future. Add these skills to your CV. If you would like to pursue this career, are there any qualifications you need?

Additional links and information

• Prospects, Volunteering England and Do-it advertise volunteer opportunities across the UK.
• The National Autistic Society workbook offers comprehensive guidance on how to find work experience and make the most of it (pages 126-154).

You may want to read next

• Applying for jobs