Honest ambivalence versus expected enthusiasm

Navigating the transition from education to the workplace is challenging for anyone, but neurodivergent individuals face unique barriers, from inaccessible application processes to the pressure of masking during interviews and employment. Understanding what actually helps—and hinders—neurodivergent people thrive at work is crucial for both job-seekers and employers who want truly inclusive environments.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the real-life hurdles and opportunities that come with entering the workforce as a neurodivergent person. They reflect on their own post-college job searches, discuss the emotional and executive functioning demands of interviews, and consider why standard hiring practices can be so exclusionary. The conversation also features guest Jan Coplan from Landmark College, who shares insights about equipping students with learning differences for meaningful employment, and highlights actionable ways employers can create neuro-inclusive workplaces.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

1. Gain honest, neurodivergent perspectives on the struggles of job applications, interviewing, and workplace social dynamics—plus hear practical strategies for advocating for your own needs at work.
2. Learn about innovative recruitment and onboarding practices from Landmark College’s Jan Coplan, and discover specific, low-cost accommodations employers can make for a genuinely accessible workplace.
3. Explore thoughtful discussions on disclosure, masking, intuition in hiring, and the emotional impact of workplace culture—all with a focus on what actually helps neurodivergent people succeed long-term.

This episode offers both real-world stories and actionable advice on transitioning from higher education to the workplace as a neurodivergent person, as well as advice for creating professional spaces where everyone can show up authentically. Learn how small shifts can make a big difference in supporting neurodiversity in education and at work.

More about Jan:

Jan Coplan, M.Ed., has more than 28 years of experience in the field of education and has been a career counselor for the past eleven years. She is currently the Senior Director of Employer Relations and Career Connections at Landmark College in Putney, Vermont, an institution exclusively for students who learn differently, including dyslexia, ADHD, or autism.

Jan is passionately committed to creating greater awareness of the advantages individuals with learning differences bring to the workplace. In the last several years, she has been a contributing author to research published in this realm. During her ten years at Landmark College, she has worked to increase the number of professional work experiences for neurodivergent individuals both locally and nationwide, including placements at Hasbro, JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft, SAP, EY, Prudential, CAI Neurodiverse Solutions, Equinix, Tufts Point 32 Health, and Dell Technologies. She played an instrumental role in Landmark College becoming the first Neurodiversity Hub (a collaborative to create employment opportunities for neurodivergent students) in the United States.

Affiliations:

• National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
• Cooperative Education and Internship Association
• National Career Development Association
• Neurodiversity Hub
• Disability IN
• College Autism Network

Landmark College is seeking employers interested in hiring their students to join their upcoming Career Fair on 10/22/2025. Learn about Landmark College’s Career Support: landmark.edu/academics/career-connections

• Jan’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jancoplan

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✨ Neurodivergent Insights Autistic Burnout Resources

If you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources

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Mentioned in this episode:

Jane

Jane is a clinic management software and EMR designed to be an extra set of helping hands in your health and wellness business. Available online and on any device, Jane has branded online booking, scheduling, insurance billing, customizable documentation templates and online forms, integrated payments, telehealth, and more — wrapped up in one beautiful package that even your patients/clients will love. Backed by our unlimited human support available by phone, email, and chat (even on Saturdays!), Jane is here to help you get back to the work you love. Get 2 months off new Jane subscriptions when you use code DCPOD at signup. Visit: https://janesoftware.partnerlinks.io/divergentconversations

Neurodivergent Insights' Autistic Burnout Resources

If you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources