Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative
Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative
The Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative (NHI) was developed to strengthen the graduation and employment outcomes of neurodiverse students by connecting them with employers who are seeking to diversify their workforce.
About the Initiative
What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity refers to natural and valuable variations in thinking, brain function, and behavior (such as those attributable to the autism spectrum). Such variations impact how one processes information, sees the world, and interacts with people. These unique viewpoints are often highly sought after in the workplace, as organizations look for ways to include a wide range of perspectives and focus on creative, innovation solutions.
Employment trends for those with autism spectrum disorders
- There are currently 3.5 million people living with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with an estimated 50,000 individuals entering adulthood each year.*
- Young adults on the autism spectrum often miss out on the critical early work experiences and those who enter the workforce, even with a college degree, face higher rates of joblessness than their peers. Current unemployment and underemployment rates for those on the autism spectrum are reported near 80%.
- Employers are interested in hiring the best and the brightest job candidates but standard recruitment practices can unintentionally screen out neurodiverse job seekers.
- Once employed, individuals on the autism spectrum become loyal, long-term employees with strengths in logical and analytical thinking, great attention to detail, and strong ability to focus on the task at hand.
*Roux, A.M., Shattuck, P.T., Cooper, B.P., Anderson, K.A., Wagner, M. & Narendorf, SC. (2013) Postsecondary employment experiences among young adults with an autism spectrum disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013 Sep;52(9):931-9.
The Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative at RIT
The Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative is a collaborative network of RIT students and employers who value innovative ways of thinking. NHI accelerates the career-readiness of job seekers through experiential learning and student leadership, and connects highly skilled candidates with organizations that offer accessible and inclusive workplaces.
Our Goals
- Equip neurodivergent students with the tools, confidence, and support needed for career success
- Expand access to inclusive internships, co-ops, and full-time employment opportunities
-
Prepare employers to effectively recruit, engage, and retain neurodivergent talent through training and partnership
For Students
Benefits of participating
By participating in the Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative, you'll gain access to:
- Inclusive job opportunities with employers who recognize the value of neurodivergent talent and are committed to building supportive work environments
- Skill-building experiences—like workshops and employer visits—that help grow your confidence, expand your resume, and prepare you for long-term success
Career Ready Bootcamp
Career Ready Bootcamp is a series of experiential learning programs for autistic and neurodivergent job seekers held in person on campus at RIT.
Each stage of Career Ready Bootcamp is designed to introduce students to the eight career-readiness competencies outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers as essential to success in the workplace. These include highly sought-after transferable skills such as communication, professionalism, critical thinking, and teamwork.
Through direct instruction and collaborative learning, participants prepare to meet with employers interested in leveraging the neurodiversity of their organizations. Participants have opportunities to share their resume, deliver their "elevator pitch," ask and answer interview questions, attend a working lunch, and expand their professional network.
2025-2026 Program Dates (subject to change):
- August 2025 CRB 1 cohort: Aug. 16-22 (Applications are closed)
- January 2026 CRB 2 cohort: Jan. 5-9 (Applications open in Oct. 2025)
- March 2026 CRB 3 cohort: Mar. 8-11 (Applications open in Dec. 2025)
2026-2027 Program Dates (subject to change):
- August 2026 CRB 1 cohort: Aug. 15-21 (Applications open March 2026)
- January 2027 CRB 2 cohort: Jan. 4-8 (Applications open in Oct. 2026)
- March 2027 CRB 3 cohort: Mar. 7-10 (Applications open in Dec. 2026)
Take a look at Career Ready Bootcamp from student and staff perspectives. This video features students who participated in mock job interviews and applied lessons by working in teams to build 3D printers.
Are you a current RIT student? Join our mailing list.
For additional resources on careers and employment visit our Job Seekers page.
For more information about Career Ready Bootcamp, please contact Gary McManus, NHI Associate Director, at gamasc@rit.edu.
For Employers
Neurodivergent professionals bring unique perspectives, creativity, and problem-solving skills to the workplace—but traditional hiring practices may unintentionally overlook this talent. The Neurodiverse Hiring Initiative connects employers with highly qualified candidates and provides tools to support success for both employees and organizations.
Here's how we can support your hiring goals:
Recruitment and Referrals
We help connect you with neurodivergent students through resume books, curated referrals, and networking events. Candidates are available for semester-long co-ops, summer internships, or full-time opportunities in various fields, including computing, engineering, software development and testing, media design, and more.
Training and Ongoing Support
Supervisors, team members, and HR professionals gain access to practical training on how to effectively recruit, onboard, and support neurodivergent talent. Ongoing consultation from our experienced team of professionals is available throughout the internship or employment experience. Reach out to our Director, Kendra Evans, to schedule a consultation or training!
Discover the benefits of neurodiversity and explore our comprehensive resources.
Ready to hire neurodiverse talent?
Contact kxessp@rit.edu
Testimonials
Ben’s technical depth is excellent. He is self-motivated and diligent. Very focused. Ben is a brilliant mind. He impressed our team with an ability to conduct intensive, more linear, problem-solving. We initially engaged him to help troubleshoot a circuitry program – a problem that had been plaguing us for several days. He was able to diagnose the issue with incredible clarity.
William’s design and programming skills were far beyond what we were prepared for. He has an extremely analytical mind and can quickly find solutions to a problem and use his computer programming skills to provide the solution. He can also see beyond the programming and understand the users side of the equation.
He worked on a solution with remarkable efficiency and a clear passion. I particularly enjoyed his initiative to express ideas beyond the original project definition. He saw improvements everywhere and gave astounding clarity to our hardware development. He condensed complex problems into straightforward answers and often would rework existing solutions to be more effective and focused.
NHI has been nothing but beneficial to my career. Last spring, I visited NYC with NHI to learn about corporate environments and career opportunities. One of the companies I met with was L'Oreal, which eventually turned into an internship with them over the summer. NHI has guided me throughout the career process from resume reviews to interview practice, and it has led me to intern at the largest beauty company in the world.
I participated in the NHI New York trips because they were educational and helpful in getting employment. I got an internship at L'Oréal because of the NYC trip and worked on their cybersecurity team. I gained valuable experience both at the internship and on the trip in how to build my professional network and work in a professional environment. I gained valuable insight into what to expect in a corporate environment and what skills I will need in the future to smoothly transition into full-time employment.
NHI has been a transformative experience in leadership and personal career goals. From experiences such as CRB to starting our own student organization, NHI pushes for the personal and professional growth of all its students.
Through NHI and their alternative break programs, I have been introduced to opportunities that have piqued my interest and shaped my education. These experiences have allowed me to learn more about what I enjoy doing, meet new people, and gain valuable experience.