ONLINE TOOLS FOR INTRODUCING NEURODIVERSITY IN JOB INTERVIEWS WITH ENGINEERING STUDENTS
ONLINE TOOLS FOR INTRODUCING NEURODIVERSITY IN JOB INTERVIEWS WITH ENGINEERING STUDENTS

Summary/Abstract: Recently, the business world has evinced a growing interest in the concept of “inclusive hiring” and software and technical – oriented enterprises such as Microsoft, Ford, Hewlett Packard Enterprises, and IBM, have implemented Human Resources neurodiverse talent programmes. According to Harvard Business Review, interviewed employers mention that the benefits of employing neurodiverse people include “productivity gains, quality improvement, boosts in innovative capabilities, and broad increases in employee engagement”. Thus, neurodiverse people are considered a competitive advantage for technical companies because they prove to have excellent digital and mathematical skills, creativity and pattern recognition competencies. Having said that, one must also be aware that neurodiverse employees thrive only when their special needs with regard to the working place are met. The present article looks into the issue of neurodiversity with a view to tackling the way in which the concept can be introduced to technical students who study interviewing skills as part of their English for Professional Communication seminar. After a short overview of the main characteristics of Generation Z, whose education and day-to-day life have been constantly informed by technology, we proceed to the presentation of the concept of "neurodiversity" highlighting the reasons why engineering students should be aware of it and understand its complexity in order to be better prepared for an inclusive work environment. The paper presents various seminar tasks by means of which neurodiversity may be taught using online sources such as companies’ statements on the topic, testimonials from employers or employees or interviewing practices for neurodiverse candidates. Exposing the students to these aspects develops their sense of inclusiveness which is a value they should be able to transfer from the educational context to the professional setting.

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