Hi Everyone,
I, Michael Lettman, would like to share my work on Social Relationships, along with sharing what I've been aiming for my own career path.
Social Relationships - Work
This Social Relationships' post is about Work. I'd like to share how people with autism deserve to have work experience in their lives, with my past work experiences being used as an example.
During my high school days at P373k (starting around Fall 2013), I've accepted into attending P373k's Student Volunteering Program, which led to me being in a P373k Head Start class that volunteers at the Northside Center for Child Development. That class was taught by Ms. Heather Lifland, who makes sure her students are enjoying their work as helpers in preschool classes. I was assigned to work in a UPK (Universal Pre-Kindergarten) class, which was taught by a teacher known as Ms. Leda. I've had some good times being a helper for the young students whom I've known them as my "Adorables". I did had some struggles, which has been giving Ms. Leda some hard times when she is trying to do her job as a teacher. I needed to learn from my ways by Ms. Heather Lifland, which helped me get better at my job for Ms. Leda & her young students. As a helper, I've cleaned tables, swept the floor, sort out their finished work into folders, read a few stories to my "Adorables", put up the cots for their nap time, & joined with them on their outside walks. I was a happy student working as a helper in a UPK class at a childcare center for 3 final school years with P373k. As I've went straight to that site everyday (back then), it was an excellent work experience that I've truly enjoyed with great happiness + I also earned some checks (back then) so it really felt like I had a real job (a kind of job that I wouldn't mind having in my future).
Summer School (2014): I had to be sent into another class with different teachers & different young students, which was a "Change" that I got upset about because I wanted to be in the same room with the same teachers & the same young students all the way to their graduation but they wouldn't let me do that. I couldn't accept the "Change" of what has happened to me but after some talking with Ms. Heather Lifland along with a few weeks that I've spent with the new preschool class in their room, I've manage to recover from the "Change" & enjoyed the job of being their helper even though it took a while for me to adjust of not being with Ms. Leda & her young students during those summer school days.
Summer School (2015): I was assigned to work with someone in the kitchen of the childcare center. It was another "Change" but I've managed to not get too upset about it. I've sorted out bottles & other kitchen supplies, I've helped clean the plates & utensils, & helped deliver the food to the classrooms so the young students can enjoy their Breakfast, Lunch, & Snack time. I didn't get to be with any "Adorables" during that time but helping them with their Breakfast, Lunch & Snack time was very important so I truly have enjoyed helping out in the kitchen during those summer school days.
My "Final" Goodbye to P373k: As I've been happy with all my "Adorables" graduating, I eventually had to graduate myself & I'm not sure if I was that happy about it since I had to say goodbye to my job as a helper. Just like my "Adorables", it was time for me to step into the next chapter in my life but I sure will miss working at the Northside Center for Child Development.
The College Life of Michael Lettman
From attending AHRC NYC's Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program, I began working on my career path. Thanks to the former Assistant Transition Developer (ATD) known as Frank Laskowitz, I've completed an excellent resume which had started things off. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, my original plannings got ruined but Frank Laskowitz believed that we can work things out at some point. I've attended virtual career fairs to find any open opportunities in remote work/internships but I haven't found much that I've wanted to find so I gave all those up. It was thanks to attending Career and Life Planning class (SD1100) in My 2nd Year: Spring Semester that I've learned about Cover Letters, References, Elevator Pitches, and Professional Etiquette, which are all needed for my career path (not just a resume). Despite eventually getting transferred into another program, Frank Laskowitz still chose to aid in my career path & even stayed connected with me ever since, while I've worked with the current ATD known as Elizabeth Guida.
Early Childhood Education Internship (Remote/2021): It was only for a few days during My 2nd Year: Winter Semester but it was thanks to Professor Susan Carpenter and Professor Eric Conte, I've earned a remote internship of working with a first grade student as an Assistant Teacher which relates in my career interest of wanting to work with children. Not only that I've updated my resume with this internship but I've really enjoyed working with a child even if it was remote via Zoom.
Early Childhood Career Fair (2023): Many thanks to a College Professor from my major (Early Childhood Education) for sharing info about an in-person job fair at the CUNY Graduate Center which I've willingly attended by myself (+ I even invited another student from my college program to attend it herself). I gave out (less than 20) copies of my resume to the childcare organizations of my choosing, which are the ones that I'd be happy to work with. So far from the results from attending that event, a few of those organizations contacted me & I've attended some job interviews (which all turned out great for me).
Field Placement (2023): It was thanks to attending Educational Practice for Early Language & Literacy Development class (EDC4000) in My 4th Year: Spring Semester that I got to enjoy working with children after a long time since my days at Northside Center for Child Development, please visit "4th & Final College Year/A College Life's Ending (2022-2023)" blog post for more information.
From my Perspective
So I would like to say that people on the autism spectrum need to find ways to get into work that they can enjoy with great happiness. I managed to have enjoyed working at a childcare center because it was a place that had something of my interest: Children/Childcare. So maybe if people with autism find places that have something based off their interests (even in social environments like childcare centers) then maybe they would like to work there & gain work experiences as long as it suits them. That way, they will have real jobs or volunteer at those places to learn how to work before they're ready to earn employment. Maybe they'll like their jobs or maybe they won't, but I'm sure there are lots of chances for autistic people to enjoy their work experience. Let's not think too much about co-workers who might be working at work sites that may or may not give autistic people some hard times with their work. I'm hoping that the autistic community can enjoy their work without having much hard times, that'll make them very unhappy with their jobs. Maybe "ALL" jobs can be very hard-working (including jobs that are paying less) but "THE MONEY IS WORTH IT" because a lot of individuals (especially the autistic community) are in need of it for their future.
I also would like to say that I never knew that some people on the autism spectrum became successful in their lives by doing their own work, which can open into greater heights or any other ways that could turn out wonderful. I'm very impressed with successful autistic people, they turned out OK with their work & I'm absolutely proud of them. I'm also impressed with how some successful people on the Autism Spectrum can create, own, or run their own company/business related to their successful ideas like how Satoshi Tajiri created Game Freak as it's President & one of its Founders.
I kinda doubt something like my project can never end up as a company or supportive business (or even entrepreneurship) since no one will ever like it & someone like Michael Lettman would not make a good leader or boss for it. Even if I really don't mind letting other people with disabilities join in, I don't think it would be the kind of work experience or employment that the autistic community are trying to aim for on their career paths since they truly deserve better employment in their lives.
I've felt so bad when I learned that the Autistic Community had a high percentage of being Unemployed or Underemployed, which is NOT OK because everyone needs to work whether if it's to earn money or maybe something else other than earning money (like a good feeling on the inside).
I can understand how after some families & their autistic individuals couldn't find any employment opportunities, they start their own businesses to not only let their autistic family members work but to help employ others on the autism spectrum as well. Here's a link of some Excellent Businesses by Successful Autistic People: https://themighty.com/2019/04/businesses-owned-autism-spectrum/
Please visit this video link related to the autistic community's long-time problem of being rejected for jobs as this video (which can be viewed via Paramount+) reveals that some companies have understood their problem and accepted some people on the spectrum as employees after recognizing their helpful talents - https://www.cbsnews.com/video/autism-employment-60-minutes-2021-07-18/
This was the 8th video of my project to explain "Work" experience (including my own) from my own perspective, Please Enjoy!
The Career Path of Michael Lettman
According to my eligibility, I graduated from P373k with a certificate, not a diploma & I've graduated from Kingsborough Community College (through a college program) with also a certificate, not a degree. Therefore I don't think I'm able to work at public locations but I can work at private locations. To be honest, I got concerned about the possibility of me ending up unemployed or underemployed then I'd be jobless. However, I've gained some hope from those in my life who believes that cannot happen with me. So I've planned on earning an eligible part-time job that has good hours for me to work with and that is very enjoyable even if it's too much hard work but I think I really would like a job that's involved with my career interests so I can at least be happy in my future life with a future career.
Career of Interest (1) - Children/Childcare: From my experience of working at a childcare center, I'd be happy with a job that involves working with children so I can improve my skills as a childcare helper. I wouldn't mind doing some activities with young kids or serving food to them when they need it. By the end of 2024, there's a possibility that I may earn a good position in the childcare field.
Career of Interest (2) - Trains/Transit: From enjoying trains since I was little (+ 1 of my childhood TV series was Thomas & Friends), I might like a job that involves working with MTA New York City Transit since I've enjoyed researching what they do. Since their work might be very complicated (like driver or conductor), maybe I would like a job working at transit locations for organizing stuff, do some cleaning, & giving out directions for lost passengers. However I may give up on this career interest since I'm not eligible enough for their field but I can still advocate for transit accessibility, which also shall be a big step with my own project.
Career of Interest (3) - Advocating: As an advocate, I wouldn't mind a job that involves working with an organization that aids individuals on the autism spectrum or other disabilities. I also hope that my autism project can be involved with my job so I could improve my chances into becoming helpful for the autistic community. As of late 2023, I've succeeded in earning an advocating job by the AHRC NYC organization as I'm currently doing well as a Subject Matter Expert.
Current Progress on Career Path
As an alumni (from graduating AHRC NYC's MRHEP Program), I've been working with the Assistant Transition Developer known as Elizabeth "Liz" Guida. I've kept her up to date with the progress on my career path like when I'm attending job fairs, my visits or contacts to other organizations, & job interviews, even with Liz herself joining in (under her availability).
Even though I've earned a paid position in AHRC NYC, it's not an everyday job & is only once-in-a-while. That means I'm still available to earn another job, which had chosen to be in my career interest with Children/Childcare.
From "Cold-Calling", I've been randomly contacting many daycare centers & childcare businesses in search for an open position + (& it may be involved with "Disability Disclosure") sometimes I didn't mind sharing my honesty of being an individual on the autism spectrum with them. So far, my resume had been accepted by some & I've attended job interviews by a few. Lastly, there's a possibility with 1 childcare business being interested in accepting me (& I even received proof of it).
However, I've realized concerns about an upcoming future quandary of choosing more than 1 job offer, since there had been a few centers reaching back to me after months went by (when I assumed they've abandoned me). If a future quandary does come up, I'll be in dire need of what I must say to other acceptable job offers that I may end up turning down from when after I'll have made my choice for concluding my own career path. Although speaking with many supporters, allowed me to learn that others are willing to seek multiple job opportunities in order to find the right kinds of interest for their career paths, which includes resigning from old jobs that had been kept for years. Therefore I'm willing to wait on eventually facing a really tough challenge.
Early Childhood Career Fair (2024): Just like back in 2023, I got to attend a career fair based on my career interest with Children/Childcare except this one was held at CUNY School of Professional Studies. After describing my eligibility (at every table), I've given out (less than 10) copies of my resume to childcare organizations with eligible positions available enough for my career path.