Sharing the Secrets to Success

Starting a new job can be thrilling — but it can also be nerve-racking. For Anthony Moffa, who was hired as an associate software engineer at JPMorgan Chase in December 2016, this was especially true. It was his first job where his employer would know he was on the autism spectrum from the start.

Moffa — who joined JPMorgan Chase as part of the company's Autism at Work program — wasn't sure how this information would color his work environment. But from day one, he was met with overwhelming support from his teammates and managers. “Staying true to myself has boosted my identity, confidence and self-esteem,” says Moffa.

When Marissa Matchey began her college search, she knew she wanted one thing above all else: the ability to get a job when she graduated. Sounds simple, right? Something every college should tout? Except colleges aren't on the same footing when it comes to preparing students for the working world. According to a 2018 study by McGraw-Hill Education: only 43 percent of college seniors say they feel prepared for their future careers.

Determined not to become a grim statistic, Matchey did her research, seeking advice from college students and conducting surveys on her own with graduates who were able to secure jobs with their newly-minted degrees.