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Employer Opportunities

The Olitsky Family Foundation Career Readiness Programs provides opportunities for employers to learn about systemic obstacles that individuals with differences face in professional spaces. The program teaches the value of diversity and accessibility in the workplace, plus the knowledge and takeaways to support and highlight the value of differences in their workplace. The program also provides opportunities for employers to collaborate with the program to offer exclusive opportunities to meet with a diverse group of students through Student-Employer Connect events and professional development workshops.


Employer Training Sessions

Olitsky Employer Training Sessions at Carnegie Mellon University offer valuable insights into fostering inclusive workplace environments. These sessions guide employers on best practices for recruiting and retaining diverse talent, while ensuring a more equitable and inclusive company culture. Join us to learn how to create a workplace where everyone can thrive!

Program Information Session
When: August 13th at 2 p.m. ET
Where: Zoom
Register: https://cmu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIpduGvqD8pGdS7706e--w6zvkOmd1enYTa#/registration

Learn more about the Olitsky Family Foundation Career Readiness Program and how you can take part in its goal of reducing barriers to employment for individuals with cognitive and/or emotional differences! Join us for this virtual information session where employers can meet with Carnegie Mellon Career and Professional Development staff member and Olitsky Family Foundation Carrer Readiness Program manager Amy Tavares to learn neuroinclusive ways to interact with neurodivergent talent.

Workshop: Autism Cultural Responsiveness: Improving Interactions
Who: Sara Sanders Gardner, Autistic at Work LLC
When: February 4th, 2025 from 12 - 1 p.m. ET
Where: Zoom
Register: https://cmu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUrfuGrrjoiG9dxRXuRxVeuTbzq_6IA2UlQWithin a social justice model, this one-hour session will explore autism as a culture, including language use and communication tools for interacting in a culturally responsive manner to improve relational outcomes. We will explore how intersections of identity, the roots of ableism, and concepts of normality continue to affect responses, interactions, and decision-making in the present day. Participants will be better able to recognize and respond to communication patterns and needs of people with autism and will come away with tools to apply these practices in their daily lives and work. Attendees will receive resources for implementation and continued learning.

Student-Employer Connect Events

Student-Employer Connect Events (SECE) are networking opportunities for students and employers to connect. These events promote one-on-one conversations in a casual and flexible environment. If you’re interested in learning more about SECEs or would like to be a part of an event, please reach out to Amy Tavares at atavares@andrew.cmu.edu. 

Reverse Career Fair
When: October 29th from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: CMU’s CPDC Interviewing Center, Cohon University Center Register: https://cmu.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8jminptKcLUDBPg

Get the chance to meet 1-on-1 with CMU talent! This in-person event attracts companies across all industries and provides a great opportunity for employers and diverse Carnegie Mellon talent to connect in a flexible environment and discuss the organization, interests, diversity & inclusion initiatives, and career opportunities.

Student-Employer Connect Event
When: February 25th from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: CMU’s Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion, Cohon University Center Register: https://cmu.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4SL0MPLRBIGhAiy

Student-Employer Connect Events are networking opportunities for students and employers to connect in a casual setting. Employers can connect with students/alumni from all different majors and share their current/upcoming opportunities and the benefits at working at your company. These events are designed to allow 1:1 conversations and are tailored to the strengths of individuals with cognitive and/or emotional differences. To learn more, email Amy Tavares at atavares@andrew.cmu.edu.

How to Collaborate With Us

The Olitsky Family Foundation Career Readiness Program welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with employers on specific networking events or workshops for students. If you're interested in learning more about how you can collaborate with the program, contact the program manager, Amy Tavares, at atavares@andrew.cmu.edu for more information. 

Additional Resources


Building Bridges:
Creating Inclusive Recruitment Application Processes
for Neurodivergent Talent
August 2, 2023

Want to learn more about the program? Email Amy!