Bank Finds Autism Spectrum Hires Make Great Technologists

In the five years since starting its Autism at Work program, global investment bank JP Morgan Chase has discovered there’s almost no job someone on the spectrum can’t do.

An autism spectrum candidate was interviewed for a developer job that required Java. It turned out it was a language he didn’t know, said Anthony Pacilio, the global head of the bank’s autism program.

“We interviewed him on a Friday and although he didn’t know Java he said he would be able to learn it by Monday,” Pacilio told eFinancialCareers. “He did that using a few books and YouTube tutorials and by Monday he was proficient enough in Java to get the job.”

Since starting the Autism at Work program in 2015, JP Morgan now hires some 180 people annually, placing them in a variety of jobs, many in technology. From initially hiring into quality assurance, people on the autism spectrum fill jobs in coding, cybersecurity and compliance.

“For the most part, a person on the spectrum can do any job that you give them,” says Pacilio.

They also outperform neurotypical hires. “We have also found that autistic people have an incredible approach to problem-solving. They are very granular and see things in completely different ways to neurotypical employees,” says Pacilio.

He says that autism program employees in just one technology role, for example, were as much as 140% more productive in completing tasks than their neurotypical colleagues, and they did it with no mistakes.

“That is almost unheard of,” Pacillo noted.

The bank has invested in training recruiters how to interview people on the spectrum and teaching managers new skills to accommodate their different styles and ways of communicating.

“Our recruiters have been trained to understand that a person on the spectrum may not make eye contact, or could take longer to answer questions than other recruits,” says Pacilio. “We are trying to get beyond the idea that when we hire we are looking for people who are gregarious and outgoing and look you in the eye.”

As cybersecurity specialist Jake Richard said in an article on the company website, It’s great knowing I have a support system here and that people understand what my strengths and challenges are. It’s very gratifying.”

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Tips for Creating Effective Corporate Videos for Social Media
General Interest

Tips for Creating Effective Corporate Videos for Social Media

The Power of Video on Corporate Social Media
General Interest

The Power of Video on Corporate Social Media

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Antonia Piazza
General Interest

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Antonia Piazza

Strategies for Equitable Employee Development
General Interest

Strategies for Equitable Employee Development

Anthropic Unveils Claude 3: Redefining AI Chatbots with Enhanced Capabilities
Information Technology

Anthropic Unveils Claude 3: Redefining AI Chatbots with Enhanced Capabilities

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Mike Bosco
Accounting + Finance General Interest

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Mike Bosco

Marketing Strategies: 2024 Trends and Strategies for Success
General Interest

Marketing Strategies: 2024 Trends and Strategies for Success

The Essence of Marketing Strategy: Driving Business Success (Part II)
General Interest

The Essence of Marketing Strategy: Driving Business Success (Part II)

The Essence of Marketing Strategy: Driving Business Success
General Interest

The Essence of Marketing Strategy: Driving Business Success

Mastering Task Prioritization for Stress Reduction
General Interest

Mastering Task Prioritization for Stress Reduction

Crafting the Future: Delving into AI as a College Major
General Interest Information Technology

Crafting the Future: Delving into AI as a College Major

Mary-Kate Bula Selected as Assistant Coach of the USA Women’s Flag Football National Team
General Interest Pharma

Mary-Kate Bula Selected as Assistant Coach of the USA Women’s Flag Football National Team

Leveraging LinkedIn Polls: A Strategic Tool for Business Insights
General Interest

Leveraging LinkedIn Polls: A Strategic Tool for Business Insights

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Kyle Gierke
General Interest Healthcare

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Kyle Gierke

Essential Strategies for 2024: Remote Training
General Interest

Essential Strategies for 2024: Remote Training

Steps to Nurture a Multigenerational Workforce
General Interest

Steps to Nurture a Multigenerational Workforce

Tips to Cultivate a Compelling Employer Brand
General Interest

Tips to Cultivate a Compelling Employer Brand

Green Key Names 3 New Partners in 2024
General Interest

Green Key Names 3 New Partners in 2024

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Samantha Desena 
Accounting + Finance General Interest

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Samantha Desena 

Why Companies are Already Recruiting Interns for 2025
General Interest

Why Companies are Already Recruiting Interns for 2025

Latest Blog Posts
View All Posts
Tips for Creating Effective Corporate Videos for Social Media

Tips for Creating Effective Corporate Videos for Social Media

In a previous article, we explored the definition of corporate video and delved into its numerous benefits for businesses looking...
Read More
The Power of Video on Corporate Social Media

The Power of Video on Corporate Social Media

In an era dominated by digital content consumption, corporations are constantly exploring new avenues to captivate their audience's attention...
Read More
#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Antonia Piazza

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Antonia Piazza

Welcome back to #WeAreGreenKey, where we shine a spotlight on our powerhouse recruiting team.  Recently, we met up with Antonia...
Read More