On the job and on the spectrum

Meet Lewis! He graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2020 and today he uses his physics degree as part of an engineering team. As a person with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), he knew he wanted to join a company that could offer him a clearly defined role and transparent progression structure. Read on as he tells us about how he found his dream job in tech and… in a bank!

I really liked the computational part of my studies, and I was also interested in modding video games. When COVID hit, just as I was about to graduate, conventional jobs weren’t really an option, so I focused on my modding work and built up my skills in this area.

The ASC support organisation that I worked with shared a job opportunity in technology at Credit Suisse. I wasn’t sure whether I would have the required technical skills for the role, but I believed that my university knowledge of numerical modelling could resonate well, so I decided to apply.

I was looking for a company with clearly defined roles and objectives. Working in an organization that has a clear structure allows me to focus – otherwise it can impact my stress levels. Also, I knew that the financial sector is implementing innovations with many of the more recent practices in software development.

The recruitment process was well designed for neurodiverse individuals, focusing on case studies of applicant skills. It enabled me to easily show how I could adapt to a software engineer role.

Everything went smoothly, because my line manager worked closely with the ASC support organization I was in contact with to understand the challenges that I might face as a neurodivergent individual. The firm arranged mentoring sessions and regular check-ins to identify and address any difficulties I was experiencing. These accommodations helped me to integrate quickly so I could begin my actual work.

Managing myself throughout the integration has been the biggest hurdle for me. The change in routine and the uncertainty around onboarding to UBS systems was the biggest challenge. Luckily, my line manager was able to provide me with direct contact to a long-standing UBS employee who provided me with additional support in setting up the best way of working for me. It helped me find more stability and feel more comfortable in this situation.

For day-to-day work, the busy nature of the office can be quite overwhelming. I manage this by taking frequent short breaks to refocus and by having in-person meetings in quiet breakout areas. I make use of the focus booths available when working individually to minimise stress.

I’m a problem solver. I make sure that our new applications are fit for purpose and that the end user experience is the best that it can be. Application design, bottlenecks, load-balancing, debugging and upscaling... these are just a few things I work on.

Look for employers who show their commitment to providing a work environment that's inclusive for all – there’s a good chance they either know how to mitigate the difficulties or are very open to learning. Focus on what you bring to the role – your differences can be a real asset. You might need extra support for certain things to be able to thrive, but thrive you can!