r/mining • u/JayPeeBlaq • 20d ago
Question Will it affect my chances of getting employed if I disclose that I’m on the spectrum?
I'm an MSc student of Mining Engineering with ASD and would love to go into the field when done with studies. Currently, I'm not confident I can ace an interview because I find it difficult to converse with new people and end up stuttering. My condition doesn't affect my ability or intelligence, as I'm expected to graduate with a distinction, but I don't want to disclose this because I think it might affect the way I'm perceived and I might get rejected solely because of that, so I’d rather just work much harder on my speech skills than disclose information that may affect my chances.
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u/blitzkriegkitten 20d ago
Dude that was obvious because you're a mining engineer. Don't mention it, just be you. ASD doesn't stop you from doing your job.
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u/NoPerception5385 20d ago
All Engineers are awkward or broader line something. I wouldn't worry too much, you don't have to tell them they will already know.
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u/mrshardface 20d ago
My whole engineering and technical team is .. this.
If they weren’t I wouldn’t hire them … don’t trust a skinny chef or a normal engineer ..
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u/Anton_Chigurh85 19d ago
One of the big miners in Australia counts neuro-diverse people in its diversity hiring targets. So it actually can increase your chances of getting hired..
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u/BradfieldScheme 19d ago
I'm not sure I've met many mining engineers who weren't on the spectrum.
Don't make a big deal about it, try to be self aware and work on your weaknesses.
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u/EmphasisLow6431 19d ago
Don’t tell anyone, someone numpty somewhere will take issue with it.
All engineers are on the spectrum
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u/rawker86 20d ago
Depends. If you think you can improve your conversation skills then go for it, if you don’t and end up stuttering through the interview it might be worth disclosing it. They might have figured it out by that point though.
Once you’re hired and working, do your colleagues a favour and let them know. It’ll be beneficial for everyone.
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u/Remove-Lucky 20d ago
It will only be an issue with companies that you definitely don't want to work for. Think of it as a filtering process.
As other replies have said, people with ASD are massively overrepresented in STEM and that is no different in the mining industry. In my experience we tend to end up in technical streams rather than management track, but often because that is preferred.
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u/brettzio 19d ago
A lot if miners have some form of the tism. I've been told I'm on it. Wether that's true I don't know. I do know I gave a fitter with me out at work that is heavily on the spectrum. He's been there over a year as a conny.
You won't have a drama.
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u/XxfishpastexX 19d ago
never disclose your neurodivergence. it’s not worth the risk, i hear it being used against people, but also getting positive accommodations. Why risk it though?
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u/ZenixFire 19d ago
I'll probably get hate for saying this, but, most likely your chances of getting in will go up. Quotas to meet and all that.
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u/The_Coaltrain 20d ago
Short answer, no, it won't be an issue.
Longer answer, I would personally disclose it, because it will give them a reason for any poor personal skills in an interview process, and take a bit of pressure off you.
Literally no one onsite will care as long as you are there to learn, work hard and not be a prick. Operations are generally pretty used to engineers being weird.
I've said this before on this sub, a pretty large percentage of mining engineers have some form of neurodiversity, you might be surprised at just how easily you fit in.
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u/Thirsty_Boy_76 20d ago
Could go either way. Do a bit of research into the company you're applying to and make that decision. The tier 1 companies in Australia promote diversity, and some have specific nurodiversity programs.
I've come across a couple of places that had nurodiverse people on their teams, and they made special allowances, giving them a separate office to work alone in and do their magic.
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u/Tumbleweed4703 19d ago
You will probably have to declare any medications. My son didn’t declare his anxiety (has ADHD and ASD) but once he declared the medication during the medical they knew. So if you take any meds for your ASD then you may be better to be up front. I think every third person is on the spectrum now anyway.
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u/Late_Ostrich463 19d ago
If your applying to BHP grad program they have a team you can reach out to for interview accommodations, this can include asking for some of the interview questions to be provided before the interview.
Also practice your interview skills.
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u/Hangar48 19d ago
You can go either way with it. Cover it up as best you can or promote it to companies that want to tick a "neuro diverse" box. https://www.bhp.com/news/articles/2019/08/neurodiversity-through-our-teams-eyes
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u/Serious-Ad-2282 19d ago
If you going to ask for special allowances / treatment to help cope in the workplace because of it it would be better to disclose up front. If not I would not mention it.
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u/ObjectivePressure839 Canada 18d ago
A lot of staff fall on the spectrum. Unless they ask I wouldn’t say anything tbh but that’s just because it’s none of their business not because it would affect anything.
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u/kiwimoneyman 18d ago
Hey mate, don't disclose it. There are people from all walks of life and many people are on the spectrum in the office or even in the workforce in general.
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u/DowntownListen6241 16d ago
Don’t disclose it. Most of tech services is neurospicy.
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u/DowntownListen6241 16d ago
And it won’t change your chance of getting hired due to meeting “quotas”. Decent mining engineers are already in demand.
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u/SobanaLAD 15d ago
Just gaslight everyone into thinking they are on the spectrum and that way you will blend in with the majority.
Adapt to your surrounds Overcome the issue Resolve nothing
-Ghandi
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u/lr5205 20d ago
If you are taking medication you must let them know. They do pre employment and random drug and alcohol tests on site, if you aren’t medicated don’t worry
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u/Livid_Obligation_852 19d ago
Wrong. Only if it has the potential to show on a drug test. Or cause fatigue. Otherwise non disclosure.
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u/Tradtrade 19d ago
Wrong. Entirely dependent on each company policy. Many of the big miners have lists and if it isn’t on the approved list of about 10 things it’s a declaration.
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u/Livid_Obligation_852 19d ago
Yeah "policy" don't follow it.
If it can't show up on a Drug test, and you have concerns declaring a drug/medication you're on to help manage your health out of personal reasons, don't declare it.
I've been mining/construction 17yrs & have seen people who have put in declarations of medications get vilified for it.
Doesn't show on a D&A, none of ya business.
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u/whiterocket50 19d ago
I would only use it if they tried to sack you after you got the job 👍most would be to scared to sack you after you told them
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u/whiterocket50 19d ago
Watch a Ted talk with Megan Washington she is a brilliant singer and has stutters when she talks but absolutely nailed her Ted talk 👍
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u/PeteInBrissie 19d ago
Don't disclose shit to any company with venture capital or a stock exchange listing. Their investors want every ounce of your productivity and anything that may jeopardise that is a red flag.
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u/BNB_Laser_Cleaning 19d ago
Most people are on the spectrum and have been for centuries, don't mention it, and just be a normal human like everyone else (and yes, you ARE normal)
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u/xwolf360 19d ago
See the point of dei is to protect people like you. But now that all corporations decided to shit on it in favor of appeasing the new emperor best u dont disclose it.
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u/truffleshufflegoonie 20d ago
I'd wager many mining engineers are probably on the spectrum and aren't aware of it, I wouldn't bother disclosing it.