In collaboration with the Disabled Students Program & Services (DSPS) and the College 2 Career Program, the career center hosted “Thriving Beyond the Degree Career Insights,” an event meant to advocate and inspire neurodivergent students and students with disabilities on April 15.
Career Counselor Lucy Vu organized and introduced the event for attendees.
“We’ve been trying to increase more inclusive career exposure and development for disabled and neurodivergent learners,” Vu said.
The event featured guest speaker Jessica King, a former community college student, neurodivergent individual and advocate for students with disabilities.
This event was the first time King had shared her personal journey with autism publicly, although she often advocates for general autism representation.
King aimed to create a comfortable and validating space for students to feel heard.
“I hope that you can find comfort in my presentation today,” King said.
She discussed her educational background and how significant it is to her, King is currently in her last semester at Cal State Long Beach.
King also spoke on the stigma surrounding students with disabilities not being able to complete their education.
“Students with disabilities are capable of finishing their education and pursuing their dreams,” King said.
King communicated her journey and how she had felt a lot of different emotions when she was diagnosed with autism in 2022.
She went on to describe how she struggled with burnout and an unknowingness on how to navigate her life with autism.
“Getting diagnosed was difficult emotionally, physically, and mentally,” King said.
As time passed, King began to research her diagnosis and started forming a passion for advocating for disabled and neurodivergent individuals.
King is now in the process of starting her non profit organization “White Dove Disability Advocacy” (WDDA).
Her nonprofit provides scholarships, internships, and information for people with disabilities.
King’s goal when creating the WDDA was to benefit her community and be a source of help.
Student Success intern coach Caraline Rossini who worked alongside Vu to help organize the presentation was also there to answer any questions students had about the event.
“We hope this event can bring more awareness and representation for disabled students,” said Rossini.
King’s presentation created a place for students and attendees to ask questions and learn more about the neurodivergent community.
“I hope I can be an example of how beautiful the disabled community can be,” said King.