Microsoft to Host Autism @ Work Virtual Job Fair for People on the Autism Spectrum

As part of Autism Awareness Month, Microsoft is hosting the first Autism @ Work virtual career fair for people on the autism spectrum. The job fair is part of the second annual Autism @ Work Summit held in Palo Alto, California.

The free virtual career fair will connect candidates on the autism spectrum with companies including AT&T, JP Morgan Chase, EY, Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Dandelion Program, Ford, NCR, SAP and Microsoft. As part of the career fair, LinkedIn will hold two virtual sessions to help candidates learn how to market themselves on the platform.

“The vast majority of people with autism are either unemployed or underemployed, leaving a large pool of untapped talent. If we work together, we can help make a difference,” Neil Barnett, director of inclusive hiring and accessibility at Microsoft, wrote on the company’s blog. “At Microsoft, we see disability as a strength. While we are early in our journey, we are dedicated to growing our program as we listen and learn from the broader community.”

The Autism @ Work event is just one way Microsoft hopes to engage with the autism workforce. Two years ago, the company launched its Autism Hiring Program, which allows qualified candidates to attend a weeklong hiring academy as a nontraditional way of applying for full-time positions at Microsoft.

The virtual job fair will be held on Thursday, April 13 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. PST. Those interested in attending can sign-up on Microsoft’s website.