Andy’s Employment Journey

Last December, Andy Kwiatkowski, who serves on The Arc Pikes Peak Regions Board and has autism, graduated from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs with a degree in communications and filmaking. When he graduated, he immediately began searching for a job. In an interview with The Arc-PPR, Andy answered questions regarding his experience in job searching, the ups and downs of applying to jobs where you must disclose your varying ability before you get a chance to interview, and advice he would give to others with varying abilities about to embark on the job search journey.

WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE AFTER GRADUATING COLLEGE AND SEARCHING FOR A FULL TIME JOB?

It was difficult. The industry in my degree field, Communication/Filmmaking, is highly competitive. Each position I applied for on Indeed received a minimum of 100 applications. After five job interviews and submitting 60 job applications over a period of six months, I received no job offers. As a result, I applied for jobs outside my degree/career field. I even applied for jobs outside Colorado that were not remote jobs, including jobs where a degree was not required.

While working full-time at Copy Experts, my dad would send me job postings to consider. He would research opportunities for me during the day and assist me with applications in the evening. After five unsuccessful job interviews, I changed my interviewing strategy to be less animated and be more relaxed. As a result, I was offered a job the same day I interviewed with Apogee Components Incorporated as a Shipping/ Receiving/ Production Clerk … with benefits!

DID YOU EXPERIENCE ANY DIFFICULTY IN FINDING A JOB BECAUSE YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE IDD COMMUNITY?

Sometimes, I feel I do. When applying for jobs, almost all applications ask the disability question: Do you have a disability?—yes, no, I do not want to answer. I always answered “yes”. In hindsight, after 60 job applications, I felt most of my applications were not considered by employers where I believe I was fully qualified. I just started a new job where this question was not part of the application.

 

WHY IS AN INCLUSIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT IMPORTANT TO YOU?

 It’s important that an employer looks past people’s disabilities and treats them as fully functional team members. The workplace culture must embrace people with disabilities as valued colleagues. From my experience at Copy Experts and Apogee Components, I have been a highly regarded team member, and my ideas and opinions are valued. My work ethic and dependability have been recognized. An inclusive work environment is important because I know my work contributes to the company’s success.

 

IF YOU COULD GIVE ADVICE TO SOMEONE WITH IDD WHO IS ENTERING THE WORKFORCE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

When applying for jobs, don’t be discouraged about the lack of responses to your job applications.    Know your strengths. Know your challenges and what you’re doing to address them. I recommend asking for a prioritized list of tasks to be done for the day. Obtain a point of contact for any questions. Request frequent feedback to reinforce training and build confidence.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL A BUSINESS WHO IS CONSIDERING HIRING INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD?

To attract employees with disabilities, the business should advertise and show they are a disability inclusive workplace. That would pique interest.

To retain employees with disabilities:

1. Introduce them initially to various employees and say what they do for the company and what the new employee will do.
2. Assign a long-term “work friend” (peer) to advise the employee about the day-to-day processes, answer questions, and be there to lean on for support and friendship.
3. Be patient, express gratitude, and provide frequent positive feedback.

 

The Arc Pikes Peak Region is so proud of Andy! Not only did he not give up after applying to multiple jobs without an offer, but he advocates for himself and others with varying abilities so workplaces can be more inclusive. Good jobs change lives, and all workers—including workers with varying abilities—deserve the opportunity to prepare for, obtain and succeed in them. Reflecting this, “Access to Good Jobs for All” is this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM) theme. Learn more at dol.gov/NDEAM