In collaboration with the Disabled Students Program & Services (DSPS) and the College 2 Career Program, the career center hosted \u201cThriving Beyond the Degree Career Insights,\u201d an event meant to advocate and inspire neurodivergent students and students with disabilities on April 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Career Counselor Lucy Vu organized and introduced the event for attendees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe’ve been trying to increase more inclusive career exposure and development for disabled and neurodivergent learners,\u201d Vu said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event featured guest speaker Jessica King, a former community college student, neurodivergent individual and advocate for students with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This event was the first time King had shared her personal journey with autism publicly, although she often advocates for general autism representation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
King aimed to create a comfortable and validating space for students to feel heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hope that you can find comfort in my presentation today,\u201d King said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She discussed her educational background and how significant it is to her, King is currently in her last semester at Cal State Long Beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
King also spoke on the stigma surrounding students with disabilities not being able to complete their education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStudents with disabilities are capable of finishing their education and pursuing their dreams,\u201d King said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
King communicated her journey and how she had felt a lot of different emotions when she was diagnosed with autism in 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She went on to describe how she struggled with burnout and an unknowingness on how to navigate her life with autism.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGetting diagnosed was difficult emotionally, physically, and mentally,\u201d King said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As time passed, King began to research her diagnosis and started forming a passion for advocating for disabled and neurodivergent individuals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
King is now in the process of starting her non profit organization \u201cWhite Dove Disability Advocacy\u201d (WDDA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her nonprofit provides scholarships, internships, and information for people with disabilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
King\u2019s goal when creating the WDDA was to benefit her community and be a source of help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe hope this event can bring more awareness and representation for disabled students,\u201d said Rossini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
King\u2019s presentation created a place for students and attendees to ask questions and learn more about the neurodivergent community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hope I can be an example of how beautiful the disabled community can be,\u201d said King. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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