About Jake:
Jake discovered he was autistic almost a year ago in 2020 whilst working as a marketing coordinator in Brighton. As he learned more about his neurodivergence and tried to figure things out about himself, he was met with what felt like hostility by his colleagues. The uncomfortable environment started to take its toll and affect not only Jake’s ability to work well but also his confidence.
Why Jake came to us:
In search of support, Jake found Exceptional Individuals online and wrote to us for help. He described to us the challenges he was facing at his current workplace.
“I need routines - no matter what. If my routines change, I find myself almost unable to do anything productive, even personally, let alone professionally.”
As a result, Jake was finding that he was coming across as blunt, being mistaken as cold and not knowing why? He was learning that he had set in place calming routines at work that were being deliberately disrupted by others. He was also struggling with his tendency to hyper-fixate on a task which would then lead him to burn out. The distinct lack of support in the attitudes around him made everything all the more difficult.
He felt the need to alter his situation but lacking in self-belief, wasn’t sure where to look or how to get there. He was struggling with his CV and had lost courage in his own ability to apply for new jobs.
Required
Delivered
What did we do:
Through one-on-one coaching sessions, we helped Jake set up weekly tasks which focused on what he loved and how it could become his work. “They stripped away all the what-ifs in my head and focused me on ‘what do I want to do?’ They helped me join the dots together.”
From here we helped Jake find jobs within the direction he wanted to head in – he had a passion for music and a special interest in Britney Spears! We showed him how to examine the relevance within his own experience in order to confidently apply in this field. We helped him with the applications – from cover letters to polishing up his CV – we put in place processes and routines that meant he could eventually take over all these tasks himself. Likewise, through coaching, Jake started to see traits he had been struggling with in his old workplace as assets; his hyperfocus, for example, he now recognised as extremely productive in short intense bursts rather than across an extended length of time.
What happened next:
Combining what he loves with his career, Jake now works in international marketing as an intern for Universal Music.
“I’ve never worked in a place that has been so understanding. I feel like I can completely be myself, especially when it comes to things like autism masking – I feel like I don’t have to do that with anyone I work with. It’s the first time I’ve been able to produce work and stand by it – rather than let anyone or my own anxious mind doubt it.”
Since his referral last year Jake has been on quite a journey – coming to terms with his autism and reframing what it means to him and to potential employers and colleagues. Jake feels like he is on the right path and has hope for it; he is now in a workplace that not only supports him but makes known his value as a key part of their team..
What Jake said:
“A full support team really lifted me up when I felt worthless in my old job. I was on a mental health nosedive. It felt like the whole team gathered me up and put me in the other direction. I feel like I couldn’t be where I am mentally or in my work without the support of everyone at EI, even now they’re still in contact, supporting me. It’s really been life-changing.”
“The thing about EI…. is knowing that there are people that are neurodiverse and share the same feelings and experiences – it gives me a sense of place. I feel like I belong. I’ve not known why I feel like I didn’t belong for so many years.”