How Can Higher Education Institutions Support Autistic Students in Career Planning? 

Higher education institutions (HEIs) have a vital role in supporting autistic students as they prepare to transition from study to employment. Many autistic individuals face barriers such as communication challenges, sensory sensitivities, or anxiety about workplace expectations. By offering tailored career planning, structured guidance, and inclusive support, universities and colleges can empower autistic students to move confidently toward meaningful careers. 

1. Providing Personalised Career Guidance 

Career planning should never be “one size fits all.” For autistic students, tailored guidance that recognises individual strengths, challenges, and aspirations is essential. 

How HEIs Can Help: 

• Offer one-to-one career counselling that focuses on students’ specific interests and strengths. 

• Provide clear, structured advice on CV writing, interviews, and workplace expectations. 

• Use strength-based assessments to help students identify suitable career paths. 

National Autistic Society (NAS) notes that autistic students often thrive in careers that align with their unique skills, such as analytical thinking, creativity, or problem-solving, but only if these strengths are identified and nurtured early on. 

2. Creating Inclusive Career Services 

Autistic students benefit from career services that are inclusive, accessible, and flexible. This means offering alternative ways to engage with career advisors and employment programs. 

Inclusive Practices Include: 

• Providing quiet, sensory-friendly spaces for career sessions or workshops. 

• Offering written materials and clear communication for job fairs or employer events. 

• Training career advisors in autism awareness and neurodiversity. 

NHS England (2023) highlights that reasonable adjustments in educational and employment services can significantly reduce anxiety and improve student engagement. 

3. Integrating Work Experience and Internships 

Practical experience is one of the strongest predictors of employment success. Universities and colleges should partner with inclusive employers to offer internships, placements, and volunteering opportunities that are adapted to autistic students’ needs. 

How HEIs Can Help: 

• Partner with employers who understand neurodiversity and provide structured, supportive internships. 

• Prepare students through mock interviews, job coaching, and work-readiness workshops. 

• Offer flexible placement options, such as remote or part-time roles. 

Autistica (2024) found that supported internships and structured workplace exposure significantly improve employability for autistic graduates, increasing both confidence and long-term job retention. 

4. Promoting Self-Advocacy and Confidence 

Career planning for autistic students should include developing self-advocacy skills: the ability to communicate one’s needs and request reasonable adjustments confidently. 

How HEIs Can Help: 

• Provide workshops on disclosure and self-advocacy in professional settings. 

• Teach students how to request workplace adjustments, such as flexible hours or clear communication from managers. 

• Encourage participation in peer mentoring or autism societies that build confidence and a sense of belonging. 

Under the Equality Act 2010 – GOV.UK, students and employees with autism have the right to reasonable adjustments to ensure fair access to opportunities and services. 

5. Accessing Government and Community Support 

HEIs should connect autistic students to external resources that support their career development. These include government programs, charities, and employment services specifically designed for neurodivergent individuals. 

Useful Resources Include: 

• Access to Work – GOV.UK: Provides funding for job coaching, assistive technology, and transport support. 

• Autistica (2024): Offers evidence-based research and programs that help universities and employers support autistic graduates. 

• National Autistic Society: Provides employment training, mentoring, and employer education. 

Collaboration between universities, government schemes, and autism-focused organisations ensures that students are not left without support after graduation. 

6. Building Partnerships with Inclusive Employers 

HEIs can bridge the gap between education and employment by partnering with neurodiversity-friendly organisations that actively seek to hire autistic graduates. 

How HEIs Can Help: 

• Host inclusive job fairs with employers trained in autism awareness. 

• Promote opportunities with companies involved in supported employment programs. 

• Advocate for inclusive hiring practices across local and national industries. 

ACAS (2025) recommends collaboration between education providers and employers to create pathways that enable autistic students to enter and sustain employment successfully. 

Autism Detect raises awareness and promotes early support for neurodivergent individuals entering employment.