Getting Started in Tech

I’ll be sharing my personal journey as a neurodivergent engineer, discussing key lessons I’ve learned along the way. I’ll offer practical tips on requesting accommodations during interviews, evaluating company culture to ensure it’s a good fit for your needs, and strategies for successfully settling into your new role while building strong support with your manager.

Transcript

1. Jonathan Fielding Getting Started in Tech As a Neurodivergent Engineer
2. “Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as de fi cits.”” Harvard Health - What is neurodiversity
3. When peoples brains work differently from the norm they are referred to as neurodivergent
4. It is estimated that around 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent in the general population
5. If we look more speci fi cally at workers in tech that number increases to 53% Source: Tech Talent Charter Diversity in Tech Report 2024 General Population Tech Workers
6. Beamly Snyk Autism Assessment Spendesk Crayon M&M University College Dyspraxia and Dyslexia Assessment RVU Legend
7. My journey helped me understand what I needed to do my best work
8. Things to ask yourself
9. Do I prefer structure or fl exibility?
10. Do I need quiet time or collaboration
11. What support do I need to do my best work
12. What kind of people energize (or drain) me?
13. Remember, you are fi ltering out suitable companies
14. Finding companies that meet your needs
15. Where to Start Your Job Search
16. Focus on what matters in Job Ads
17. https://app.welcometothejungle.com/jobs/zmgg-ufw
18. Try to think of the job ad as a wishlist
19. Look Beyond the Job Ad
20. Check Glassdoor, LinkedIn, or Reddit
21. Ask friends, mentors, or alumni
22. Pay attention to how they treat you in the interview process
23. Red fl ags to be wary of
24. Confusing or ghosty communication
25. No mention of support or fl exibility
26. You feel like you have to “perform” a different version of yourself
27. Green fl ags to look out for
28. Transparent job ads
29. Flexible working policies
30. Support for mental health, disability, or access needs
31. How do I apply for a role
32. How you apply will vary from company to company
33. How you apply will vary from company to company
34. How you apply will vary from company to company
35. Your CV isn’t just a list – it’s a pitch
36. Lead with impact: results, not responsibilities
37. Tailor it to the job
38. Make your CV friendly to skim reading
39. Asking for Accommodations
40. Interviews are about performance under pressure — not everyone thrives there
41. Accommodations let you show your real skills
42. You’re not asking for an advantage, you’re asking for fairness
43. ? What sort of accommodations can I ask for
44. Interview format in advance
45. Written questions alongside verbal
46. Breaks or longer time to respond
47. Take-home instead of live code
48. Captioning / transcription
49. Turning off camera
50. You don’t need to disclose to get these accommodations
51. The Interview
52. Arrive at the interview 15 minutes early
53. Be prepared to introduce yourself
54. If you don't understand a question make sure you ask for clari fi cation
55. If some of the accommodations you asked for are not in place feel free to raise it with the interviewer
56. Ensure you ask questions based on what you want to get from the company
57. Dealing with Rejection
58. Often people who are Neurodivergent struggle with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
59. Its important to remember that often rejection isn’t personal
60. Its therefore important you build strategies to bounce back from that rejection
61. You have been successful
62. Take your time
63. Ask follow-up questions
64. Go back to your fi lter
65. Its ok to negotiate your offer
66. It’s okay to say no
67. The best offer is the one that feels right
68. Settling into your new role
69. ? Your fi rst week
70. Give yourself time to avoid becoming overwhelmed
71. Write notes on how the onboarding experience could be better in future
72. ? Advocate For Yourself
73. “Self-advocacy is speaking up about what you want. It’s about making sure that your wishes and needs are made clear to another person, and ensuring you have the same chances in life, the same rights, and are able to make the same choices as everyone else.” Neurodiversity Hub - An Introduction to Self-Advocacy & Self-determination Skills
74. Self Advocacy isn’t about being dif fi cult, its about ensuring you have the same opportunities as everyone else
75. Use ‘I need’ rather ‘Can you’ statements
76. Share what you are comfortable sharing
77. Only 3% of tech workers disclose they are neurodivergent Source: Tech Talent Charter Diversity in Tech Report 2024
78. Give feedback on what is working and what isn’t
79. Wrapping Up
80. Find a company that works for you
81. Your CV is a pitch, not a list of tasks you have done
82. Accommodations unlock your best self
83. What do I need to do my best work?
84. Further resources at: jonathan fi eld.ing/birkbeck Please feel free to ask any questions