What should be done to ensure autistic graduates succeed in the workplace?

Of all disabled graduates leaving university, autistic individuals are the most likely to experience challenges when seeking to enter employment. Few studies have sought to explore the experiences and understanding of autistic graduates as a method of establishing what university-based practitioners can do to better support autistic students to develop their employability and readiness for the workplace. This article describes the perspectives of eleven recent autistic graduates and their experiences of obtaining work, becoming self-employed or struggling to find work. A thematic analysis of data collected from semi-structured interviews and questions by email was conducted. Results indicate themes relating to challenges encountered, effective strategies for success and suggestions for employers. Recommendations are made for both universities and the workplace. Key messages are the need for greater collaboration between university departments such as disability and careers services, and the requirement for autism awareness training for employers.