Networking, Nerves, and New Beginnings: My Experience at SIC’s Reverse Job Fair
As a late-diagnosed autistic person, it felt like everything I thought I knew about myself was flipped upside down. I have always felt "different" but never knew why, and getting a diagnosis validated my experience but also came with a LOT of skill regression (not fun!) I’d been in jobs where I felt completely out of place- colleagues would understand verbal instructions, whereas I would hear gibberish! It was like I was trying to fit into a world that didn’t quite understand me. I would burn out so fast, struggle with social expectations, and constantly feel like I was missing some kind of unwritten “workplace manual” that everyone else seemed to have.
Ironically, pre-diagnosis, my bubbly personality would land me in customer-facing roles. But the thing is, those roles—despite seeming like a good fit—were actually driving me into the ground. I would get overwhelmed by the social demands, the constant need to keep up with small talk, and the stress of trying to meet everyone else’s expectations. It got to the point where I didn’t know how to move forward. I felt underqualified for other job roles and also lacked confidence from how I was treated previously in the workplace. I felt so stuck.
It wasn’t until I took part in the SIC Reverse Job Fair programme that things started to look a little brighter for me. It gave me the space to take a step back, reassess my skills, and think about what I really wanted to do. I realised that my creativity and passion for advocating for people—especially other autistic people and those dealing with mental health struggles—were actually things I should focus on in my work life.
Sick in the City do incredible work supporting and empowering disabled people with resources and making the workplace accessible to all. The reverse job fair programme was created to help neurodiverse and disabled job seekers who want to put themselves out there and get the experience they need.
During the welcome event, we got to network, learn about apprenticeships and find out more details about what was to come in the programme. It was validating being in a room full of people who understand what I’ve been through, especially when it comes to work and getting the right accommodations for disabled people. The disabled community is full of talent, but so much of it goes unrecognised because of discrimination and a lack of proper support. That’s why the work that Alice and SIC do is so meaningful.
Rianne, showcasing her fantastic banner which she designed herself.
We were paired with mentors who had similar career backgrounds to each of our interests. Since my background is in creative work—I studied fashion design—I was matched with Kate, a marketing expert and a fantastic mentor who helped me prepare for the job fair. She spent an hour with me each week, helping me get ready for the tasks and challenges that were coming up.
Throughout the programme, we attended sessions on a variety of key skills, such as Canva, CV writing, and interview techniques, all led by experts in these areas. It was like attending a masterclass, which equipped me with knowledge of things that I didn't even know I'd need to think about! It helped me to prepare for the job fair whilst also setting me up with tools for my next endeavour.
One of the highlights of my experience was having the opportunity to design my own banner and business cards to promote myself at the event. Design is a big part of who I am, and it was the best surprise that I could use my skills in this way.
Now, onto the main event – the Reverse Job Fair! To say I was nervous would be an understatement. I felt all the nerves, but at the same time, I was confident in myself and my abilities, and I knew I had something valuable to offer the working world. Different organisations attended the event to check out our banners and see if our skill sets were the right fit for their teams. I’ll be honest, I was VERY anxious about the speaking and social side of things. But SIC had set up some preparation tasks beforehand to help us feel more at ease when it was time to start. They really made sure we were all set up for success, which made a big difference.
Once the fair began, I really enjoyed chatting with people from different industries and backgrounds. I was also able to hand out my CV and promote myself and my LinkedIn to potential employers. This was a huge step for me since I’ve always been uncomfortable with self-promotion, but having this opportunity helped me build confidence in that area too. The day was a massive success, and I left feeling incredibly proud of myself and every single person who participated! I honestly felt so accomplished after attending the SIC Reverse Job Fair, and it’s been a key part of my journey to finding the right career path for me.
Looking back, I can see how much I’ve grown. I’ve learned that the workplace doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all. There’s no shame in needing adjustments or taking a different path to find what works best for us. If you’re reading this and feeling like you’re in a similar place, know that you’re not alone. There are opportunities out there, and there’s a place for you in the workforce. I’m no longer afraid to ask for accommodations when I need them, and I’ve learned that asking for support doesn’t make me a burden. None of us are a burden. We all deserve the accommodations and help we need to thrive and be our best.
This article was written by Rianne Walker. If you’ve got a role in mind for a fantastic creative with brilliant design skills, you can connect with Rianne here.
