Exploring the Career Motivations, Strengths, and Challenges of Autistic and Non-autistic University Students: Insights From a Participatory Study

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. three authors of this publication are identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Cheriyan, C., Shevchuk-Hill, S., Riccio, A., Vincent, J., Kapp, S. K., Cage, E., Dwyer, P., Kofner, B., Attwood, H., & Gillespie-Lynch, K. (2021). Exploring the Career Motivations, Strengths, and Challenges of Autistic and Non-autistic University Students: Insights From a Participatory Study. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 719827-719827. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.719827

Publication date: 14 Oct 2021 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
10
Publication authors identified as autistic
3 / 10 (30.0%)

Abstract

Supports for the growing number of autistic university students often focus on helping them succeed in university. However, even educated autistic people experience discrimination and other challenges which can make it very difficult for them to obtain meaningful jobs. Little remains known about how universities can better support their autistic students and alumni in overcoming barriers to meaningful employment. In this participatory study, a team of autistic and non-autistic researchers asked autistic ( n = 92) and non-autistic ( n = 774) university students about their career aspirations, strengths they believe will help them succeed in their “dream jobs,” and obstacles they expect to encounter. Autistic participants’ top goal in attending college was to improve their career prospects. However, relatively few autistic students reported learning career-specific skills at university. Autistic students were more likely to seek an academic job and less likely to seek a career in healthcare than non-autistic students. Autistic students highlighted writing skills and detail orientation as strengths that could help them succeed in their dream jobs more often than non-autistic students. However, they were also more likely to expect discrimination, social, and psychological difficulties to stand in the way of their dream jobs. These findings suggest that universities should prioritize experiential learning opportunities to help autistic (and non-autistic) students develop employment-related skills while providing mental health supports. Universities should demonstrate their commitment to supporting diverse learners by seeking out and hiring autistic professionals and by teaching their own staff and employers how to appreciate and support autistic colleagues.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 2 Oct 2026 08:02.

Cited references
70
With a DOI
64
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
6
6 / 70 (8.6%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
5 / 70 (7.1%)
References with detected author names
68 / 70 (97.1%)
Without detected author names
2
Without a structured title
5
Without a stable identifier
6
References with raw author names still to review
0
References with external metadata lookup issues
1
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
252
From DOI or external metadata
252
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
0
111 / 252 (44.0%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 141 / 252 (56.0%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
12 / 252 (4.8%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 12 / 111 (10.8%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 11 / 202 (5.4%).
  1. Marco Fasciglione (2015). Article 27 of the CRPD and the Right of Inclusive Employment of People with Autism . In Protecting the Rights of People with Autism in the Fields of Education and Employment (pp. 145-170). Springer International Publishing.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  2. Connie Anderson , Catherine Butt , Clare Sarsony (2021). Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum and Early Employment-Related Experiences: Aspirations and Obstacles . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(1), 88-105. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  3. Laurie A. Sperry , Gary B. Mesibov (2005). Perceptions of social challenges of adults with autism spectrum disorder . Autism, 9(4), 362-376. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  4. Carolyn Morgan , James D. Isaac , Carol Sansone (2001). The Role of Interest in Understanding the Career Choices of Female and Male College Students . Sex Roles, 44(5-6), 295-320. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  5. (2019). B2 What Happens Next? 2018 Report..
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  6. Alberto Migliore , Jaimie Timmons , John Butterworth , Jaime Lugas (2012). Predictors of Employment and Postsecondary Education of Youth With Autism . Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 55(3), 176-184. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  7. A. Baghdadli , F. Russet , Laurent Mottron (2017). Measurement properties of screening and diagnostic tools for autism spectrum adults of mean normal intelligence: A systematic review . European Psychiatry, 44, 104-124. Cambridge University Press (CUP).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  8. Alisha Ohl , Mira Grice Sheff , Sarah Small , Jamie Nguyen , Kelly Paskor , Aliza Zanjirian (2017). Predictors of employment status among adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder . Work, 56(2), 345-355. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  9. Theo Bakker , Lydia Krabbendam , Sandjai Bhulai , Sander Begeer (2019). Background and enrollment characteristics of students with autism in higher education . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 67, 101424. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  10. Anna Stenning *Autistic author. Learn more… (2020). Understanding empathy through a study of autistic life writing . In Neurodiversity Studies (pp. 108-124). Routledge.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  11. Susanna Baldwin , Debra Costley , Anthony Warren (2014). Employment Activities and Experiences of Adults with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(10), 2440-2449. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  12. Adam Smith (2009). The Empathy Imbalance Hypothesis of Autism: A Theoretical Approach to Cognitive and Emotional Empathy in Autistic Development . The Psychological Record, 59(3), 489-510. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  13. Daniel J. Benjamin , James O. Berger (2019). Three Recommendations for Improving the Use of p -Values . The American Statistician, 73(sup1), 186-191. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  14. Nancy L. Kondracki , Nancy S. Wellman , Daniel R. Amundson (2002). Content Analysis: Review of Methods and Their Applications in Nutrition Education . Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 34(4), 224-230. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  15. Bernick (2021). B7 The State of Autism Employment in 2021, Forbes..
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  16. David L. Blustein (2008). The role of work in psychological health and well-being: A conceptual, historical, and public policy perspective. American Psychologist, 63(4), 228-240. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  17. Melissa H. Black , Soheil Mahdi , Ben Milbourn , Melissa Scott , Alan H. Gerber , Christopher Esposito et al. (2020). Multi‐informant International Perspectives on the Facilitators and Barriers to Employment for Autistic Adults . Autism Research, 13(7), 1195-1214. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.2288 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3011899039
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  18. Jenna Sandler Eilenberg , Madison Paff , Ashley Johnson Harrison , Kristin A. Long (2019). Disparities Based on Race, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status Over the Transition to Adulthood Among Adolescents and Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum: a Systematic Review . Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(5), 1. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  19. Patricia Howlin , Susan Goode , Jane Hutton , Michael Rutter (2004). Adult outcome for children with autism . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 45(2), 212-229. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  20. Melissa H. Black , Soheil Mahdi , Ben Milbourn , Craig Thompson , Axel D'Angelo , Eva Ström et al. (2019). Perspectives of key stakeholders on employment of autistic adults across the united states, australia, and sweden . Autism Research, 12(11), 1648-1662. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.2167 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2954638201
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  21. Anne M. Roux , Paul Shattuck , Benjamin P. Cooper , Kristy A. Anderson , Mary Wagner , Sarah C. Narendorf (2013). Postsecondary Employment Experiences Among Young Adults With an Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 52(9), 931-939. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  22. Steven Dakin , Uta Frith (2005). Vagaries of Visual Perception in Autism . Neuron, 48(3), 497-507. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  23. Ruth Brooks , Paul L. Youngson (2016). Undergraduate work placements: an analysis of the effects on career progression . Studies in Higher Education, 41(9), 1563-1578. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  24. Timo Lorenz , Kathrin Heinitz (2014). Aspergers – Different, not less: Occupational strengths and job interests of individuals with Asperger's syndrome. Unpublished.
    OpenCitations
  25. Timo Lorenz , Kathrin Heinitz (2014). Aspergers – Different, Not Less: Occupational Strengths and Job Interests of Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome . PLoS ONE, 9(6), e100358. Public Library of Science (PLoS).
    Crossref OpenAlex
  26. Nicole Brown , Jennifer Leigh (2018). Ableism in academia: where are the disabled and ill academics? Disability & Society, 33(6), 985-989. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  27. Francesca Happé , Uta Frith (2020). Annual Research Review: Looking back to look forward – changes in the concept of autism and implications for future research . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 61(3), 218-232. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  28. Eleanor Buckley , Elizabeth Pellicano , Anna Remington (2021). “The Real Thing I Struggle with is Other People’s Perceptions”: The Experiences of Autistic Performing Arts Professionals and Attitudes of Performing Arts Employers in the UK . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(1), 45-59. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  29. Roy Richard Grinker (2020). Autism, “Stigma,” Disability . Current Anthropology, 61(S21), S55-S67. University of Chicago Press.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1086/705748 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2981477278
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  30. Jonna M Eriksson , Lisa MJ Andersen , Susanne Bejerot (2013). RAADS-14 Screen: validity of a screening tool for autism spectrum disorder in an adult psychiatric population . Molecular Autism, 4(1), 49. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  31. Sloane Burgess , Robert E. Cimera (2014). Employment Outcomes of Transition-Aged Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A State of the States Report . American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 119(1), 64-83. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  32. Sandra C. Jones *Autistic author. Learn more… (2021). Let's Talk About Autistic Autism Researchers . Autism in Adulthood, 3(3), 206-208. SAGE Publications.
    AutiHub · Autistic Autism Scholarship Project Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  33. Ana Catarino , Alexandre Andrade , Owen Churches , Adam P Wagner , Simon Baron-Cohen , Howard Ring (2013). Task-related functional connectivity in autism spectrum conditions: an EEG study using wavelet transform coherence . Molecular Autism, 4(1), 1. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    OpenAlex
  34. Simon Bury , Rebecca L. Flower , Rosslynn Zulla , David Nicholas , Darren Hedley (2021). Workplace Social Challenges Experienced by Employees on the Autism Spectrum: An International Exploratory Study Examining Employee and Supervisor Perspectives . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(5), 1614-1627. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  35. Wai Chan , Leann E Smith , Jinkuk Hong , Jan S Greenberg , Julie Lounds Taylor , Marsha R Mailick (2018). Factors associated with sustained community employment among adults with autism and co-occurring intellectual disability . Autism, 22(7), 794-803. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  36. Rebecca Wood , Francesca Happé (2023). What are the views and experiences of autistic teachers? Findings from an online survey in the UK . Disability & Society, 38(1), 47-72. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  37. Paul Shattuck , Sarah Carter Narendorf , Benjamin Cooper , Paul R. Sterzing , Mary Wagner , Julie Lounds Taylor (2012). Postsecondary Education and Employment Among Youth With an Autism Spectrum Disorder . Pediatrics, 129(6), 1042-1049. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  38. Sapna Cheryan , Victoria C. Plaut (2010). Explaining Underrepresentation: A Theory of Precluded Interest . Sex Roles, 63(7-8), 475-488. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  39. Melissa Scott , Ben Milbourn , Marita Falkmer , Melissa H. Black , Sven Bölte , Alycia Halladay et al. (2019). Factors impacting employment for people with autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review . Autism, 23(4), 869-901. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  40. Hsiu-Fang Hsieh , Sarah E. Shannon (2005). Three Approaches to Qualitative Content Analysis . Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277-1288. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  41. Cleary (2014). A Framework for Higher Education Labor Market Alignment: Lessons and Future Directions in the Development of Jobs–Driven Strategies . Working Paper. John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  42. Devon M. Coleman , James B. Adams (2018). Survey of vocational experiences of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and recommendations on improving their employment . Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 49(1), 67-78. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  43. Darren Hedley , Mirko Uljarevic , Mirko Uljarevic , David F. E. Hedley , David F. E. Hedley (2017). Employment and Living with Autism: Personal, Social and Economic Impact . In Inclusion, Disability and Culture (pp. 295-311). Springer International Publishing.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  44. Julie Lounds Taylor , Natalie A Henninger , Marsha R Mailick (2015). Longitudinal patterns of employment and postsecondary education for adults with autism and average-range IQ . Autism, 19(7), 785-793. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  45. William E. Donald , Melanie J. Ashleigh , Yehuda Baruch (2018). Students’ perceptions of education and employability . Career Development International, 23(5), 513-540. Emerald.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  46. Timo Lorenz , Cora Frischling , Raphael Cuadros , Kathrin Heinitz (2016). Autism and Overcoming Job Barriers: Comparing Job-Related Barriers and Possible Solutions in and outside of Autism-Specific Employment . PLOS ONE, 11(1), e0147040. Public Library of Science (PLoS).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  47. Jessica Dreaver , Craig Thompson , Sonya Girdler , Margareta Adolfsson , Melissa H. Black , Marita Falkmer (2020). Success Factors Enabling Employment for Adults on the Autism Spectrum from Employers’ Perspective . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(5), 1657-1667. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  48. Priyanka Fernandes , Madeline Haley , Kevin Eagan , Paul Shattuck , Alice A. Kuo (2021). Health Needs and College Readiness in Autistic Students: The Freshman Survey Results . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(10), 3506-3513. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  49. Erin Harmuth , Emerald Silletta , Anthony Bailey , Tracy Adams , Charlotte Beck , Skye Pamela Barbic (2018). Barriers and Facilitators to Employment for Adults With Autism: A Scoping Review . Annals of International Occupational Therapy, 1(1), 31-40. SLACK, Inc..
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  50. Markus Paulus , Bibiana Rosal-Grifoll (2017). Helping and sharing in preschool children with autism . Experimental Brain Research, 235(7), 2081-2088. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  51. Anna Remington , Elizabeth Pellicano (2019). Sometimes You Just Need Someone to Take a Chance on You': An Internship Programme for Autistic Graduates at Deutsche Bank, UK . Journal of Management and Organization, 1(04), 1. Cambridge University Press (CUP).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  52. Megan Farley , Kristina J. Cottle , Deborah Bilder , Joseph Viskochil , Hilary Coon , William McMahon (2018). Mid‐life social outcomes for a population‐based sample of adults with ASD . Autism Research, 11(1), 142-152. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.1897 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2778639720
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  53. Jennifer Sarrett (2017). Interviews, Disclosures, and Misperceptions: Autistic Adults' Perspectives on Employment Related Challenges . Disability Studies Quarterly, 37(2). The Ohio State University Libraries.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  54. Beth Pfeiffer , Kerri Braun , Moya Kinnealey , Maggie Derstine Matczak , Helene Polatajko (2017). Environmental factors impacting work satisfaction and performance for adults with autism spectrum disorders . Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 47(1), 1-12. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  55. Frazee (2018). B28 How colleges are preparing students for jobs that don’t exist yet..
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  56. S. Jay Kuder , Amy Accardo (2018). What Works for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(3), 722-731. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  57. Henri V. Pesonen , Mitzi Waltz , Marc Fabri , Minja Lahdelma , Elena V. Syurina (2021). Students and graduates with autism: perceptions of support when preparing for transition from university to work . European Journal of Special Needs Education, 36(4), 531-546. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  58. Jonathan Vincent , Marc Fabri (2022). The Ecosystem of Competitive Employment for University Graduates with Autism . International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 69(5), 1823-1839. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  59. Jessica E. Rast , Anne M. Roux , Paul Shattuck (2020). Use of Vocational Rehabilitation Supports for Postsecondary Education Among Transition-Age Youth on the Autism Spectrum . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(6), 2164-2173. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  60. Alexandra Sturm , CONNIE KASARI (2019). Academic and psychosocial characteristics of incoming college freshmen with autism spectrum disorder: The role of comorbidity and gender . Autism Research, 12(6), 931-940. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.2099 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2936746587
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  61. Jeffrey Cummings , Aaron Ritter , Kasia Rothenberg (2019). Advances in Management of Neuropsychiatric Syndromes in Neurodegenerative Diseases . Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(8), 79-79. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    OpenAlex
  62. (2021). B46 O ∗ NET OnLine..
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  63. Henri Pesonen , Mitzi Waltz , Marc Fabri , Elena Syurina , Sarah Krückels , Mona Algner et al. (2021). Stakeholders’ views on effective employment support strategies for autistic university students and graduates entering the world of work . Advances in Autism, 7(1), 16-27. Emerald.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  64. Jasin Wong , Ellen S. Cohn , Wendy J. Coster , Gael I. Orsmond (2020). “Success Doesn’t Happen in a Traditional Way”: Experiences of school personnel who provide employment preparation for youth with autism spectrum disorder . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 77, 101631. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  65. Singer (2016). B59 Neurodiversity: The birth of an idea [Kindle Edition]..
    Type: Other
    Crossref