07/30/2025
AUSOM at Work: A Success Story 🌟
Through the Autism Society of Maryland’s Autism Hiring Program, individuals are developing skills, gaining confidence, and securing meaningful employment.
Meet Jessica:
My name is Jessica and I participated in the Autism Hiring Program (AHP) Spring 2025 Cohort.
With support from AHP, I explored job options focusing on roles in the nonprofit and creative sector, with the goals of becoming a Librarian, Novelist, and Mental Health Advocate. While these roles remain my ultimate career goals, I have some chronic health challenges that delay my progress, and it will likely take me several years to reach them.
I transferred my job log to Trello to streamline my job search and participated in the peer meeting to stay actively engaged with the program. I explored remote roles that would allow me to grow professionally while contributing meaningfully to others. During this process, I also learned about the E-CPR certification, which could enhance my ability to serve my community. I will be enrolling in this class soon.
While working with Melissa and being a part of AHP, I received more than just job training and employment readiness assistance. I became part of a community of people that shared much of my lived experience, and received the kind of unconditional acceptance and support I have been searching for my entire life. The members of my cohort were privy to my illness, and never once did they make me feel less than or guilty for not being able to participate in the ways that I would have liked. They made accommodations for all my needs, cheered me on through my toughest days, and even visited me in the hospital. By the end of this program, I had made close friends and connections that will be with me for life. Finding community like this has exceeded my expectations.
Thanks to AHP, I’m continuing to make progress toward my goals with the encouragement, support, and resources needed to move forward confidently.
