The Bath Employment Support School for Autism/Neurodiversity (BESSA) is a free two-day event for autistic students or graduates (with or without a diagnosis).
It is open to students and graduates from the University of Bath, as well as other universities and higher education institutions.
BESSA aims to help with the transition from university to a range of opportunities such as:
- internships
- placements
- graduate employment
The event is organised by the Centre for Applied Autism Research (CAAR) at the University of Bath, and JP Morgan (JPM).
If you're an autistic student or graduate (with or without a diagnosis), you can attend this event, where you'll get support and guidance for the transition from university to work.
For an in-depth look at the autism-related workshops and activities we run at Bath, read our case study.
Day 1 - 20 October 2021
Location: 10 West 2.47, University of Bath campus.
This is a provisional schedule. Some details and timings may change.
| Time | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8.30 - 9.00 | Registration in 10 West. Meet outside 10 West 2.47 | Maps and guidance will be provided |
| 9.00 - 9.10 | Welcome and introduction to BESSA CAAR | We will welcome delegates and outline the plans and objectives for Day 1 |
| 9.10 - 9.25 | Autistic and neurodiversity strengths | An outline of autistic/neurodiverse strengths (with activity) Delivered by CAAR |
| 9.30 - 10.45 | Employment skills session 1 | Finding the right job and company for you. Includes CV activity. Delivered by Careers Service |
| 10.45 - 11.00 | Tea and coffee break | |
| 11.00 - 11.25 | Disclosure and reasonable adjustments | Delivered by NAS |
| 11.30 - 12.25 | Employment skills session 2 | Virtual recruitment and interviews. This will include a live interview. Delivered by Careers Service |
| 12.30 - 12.45 | Mentoring | Delivered by Next Steps |
| 12.45 - 13.00 | Networking skills | How to network effectively over lunch. Delivered by Careers Service |
| 13.00 - 14.30 | Lunch break | A catered lunch will be provided. During this time you will be able to network with employers and have your CV reviewed |
| 14.30 - 15.00 | Lived experience | Delivered by three autistic/ neurodiverse speakers |
| 15.00 - 15.45 | Autism @ Work Programme | Delivered by JPMorgan |
| 15.45 - 16.00 | Plenary Session | Summary of the key points of Day 1 and preparation for Day 2 |
Day 2 - 21 October 2021
Location: JP Morgan Bournemouth Corporate Centre. Return travel from Bath to Bournemouth is provided.
This is a provisional schedule. Some details and timings may change. Refreshments will be provided on arrival.
| Time | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 7.30 - 10.00 | Travel together from Bath to Bournemouth | Specific details will be provided nearer the time. |
| 10.30 - 10.45 | Welcome and Introduction to BESSA Day 2 | We will welcome all the participants and delegates to BESSA Day 2, outline the plans and objectives for the day. Refreshments will be provided. |
| 10.50 - 11.40 | Site tour | Participants will split into smaller groups and have a tour of the campus including high performance workspace, dining facilities, social areas, atrium and surrounding green environment. The tours will be run by employees of JPM, some of whom are autistic, and they will share their experiences of working in the campus environment as part of the tour. |
| 11.50 - 12.30 | JPM programmes, roles and job families | Participants will split into smaller applicable groups (to their year of study and discipline) and cover information about the different roles, job families, programmes (graduate, internships and placements) available at JPM and aspects of the interview process for each applicable programme. |
| 12.30 - 13.15 | Lunch | A catered lunch will be provided. |
| 13.15 - 14.15 | Interview techniques | Participants will split into their smaller groups, observe example mock interviews taking place and have the opportunity to discuss the interview process and feedback as well as discuss example answers and interview techniques. |
| 14.25 - 15.10 | A day in the life of a JPM employee | Run by JPM autistic employees and a manager of an autistic employee, this session will provide an insight into what it is like to work at JPM when you are autistic. The employees will be from different lines of business, performing different roles and at different stages of their career. They will share their experiences on social aspects and team interactions, followed by an interactive question and answer opportunity. |
| 15.15 - 15.30 | Summary of Day 2 | Key messages from the various sessions during the day will be highlighted. |
| 15.30 - 17.30 (rough estimate) | Travel back to Bath |