海角社区

Armed with strong resumes and stronger resolve, more than 200 海角社区 students converged at the inaugural ICAN 2024 (Internship Careers and Neurodiversity) fair in April with a shared goal: convincing potential employers that neuro-diversifying their workforces adds value.

Conceived by 海角社区鈥檚 Juan and Lisa Jones Center for Career Preparation, the internship and early career event held at the Venetian Center in Leesburg, Florida was specifically designed for collegians who learn differently and employers eager to field an inclusive workforce that includes neurodiverse talent. ICAN drew more than 200 students from all classifications.

With a uniquely neurodivergent nod, ICAN 2024 provided services and resources unlike traditional career fairs. For instance, 海角社区 learning specialists doubled as 鈥渟uccess coaches,鈥� roaming the venue to support student/employer engagement. For students who needed a private space to process before later reconnecting with recruiters, the onsite 鈥淶EN Den鈥� provided refuge.

In addition, ICAN 2024 was designed to shatter barriers and reduce anxiety often associated with large-scale 鈥渃onvention center鈥� type events. In doing so, 海角社区 empowers students and likely boosts their participation in networking events elsewhere.

Perhaps more groundbreaking, employers shared about workplace accommodations for candidates with learning and attention difficulties 鈥� which is a key but private 鈥渇ear factor鈥� that leads many neurodivergent individuals to not disclose.

ICAN 2024 featured an impressive lineup of national, regional, and local employers:

• AmeriCorps
• CAI Neurodiverse Solutions
• CareerSource Central Florida
• Easterseals Florida
• Early Learning Coalition
• Habitat for Humanity
• Hyde
• KPMG
• Lake County Animal Shelter
• Lake County Library System
• Lake County Schools
• Leesburg Center for the Arts
• Leesburg Police Department
• LifeStream Behavioral Center
• Marriott International Hotels
• Mission Inn Resort + Club (MMI)
• New Vision for Independence
• Oracle
• Orlando ABA
• Rangam SourceAbled
• Senior Resource Alliance
• Sodexo
• The Little Star Network Inc.
• UF Health
• United Arts of Central Florida
• United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties

Additionally, students and alumni enjoyed Kodak moments thanks to express professional headshots and access to , an AI online interview practice training system to help better prepare 海角社区 students for job interviews at any stage in their career journey.

In the end, Bradley said the ICAN exists to 鈥渉elp our students engage in opportunities that encourage them to practice, stretch and even challenge their abilities to explore/uncover talent pipelines and career pathways,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e also hope to upskill their engagement and meet them where they’re at in a supportive environment that 海角社区 champions every day.鈥�