For 18-year-old Holly Coviello and her mother, the typical questions about finding employment have loomed large. Holly is autistic.

“We are trying to figure out the best post-college scenario for Holly,” says Holly’s mother, Amy. “We’re picturing a hybrid situation, where she will take some college courses, work for a period, followed by more classes. The job interview part of this plan feels overwhelming.”

Amy learned about Dr. Helen Genova’s research with adolescents on the autism spectrum, which focuses on strengthening interview skills to showcase their talents to potential employers. “Holly’s had practice jobs throughout high school, but she’s never had a formal interview,” explains Amy. “We quickly signed her up for the study.”

Thanks to the support of Kessler Foundation donors, Holly gained valuable interview practice. “In the practice sessions, I learned how to answer questions and tell the virtual interviewer about my skills from other jobs I’ve had,” Holly says. “I didn’t get nervous because the interviewer wasn’t real.”

Holly says she likes school and looks forward to college, but she enjoys working too. “I’d love to find a job in musical theater because that’s my passion. Getting a job is hard for everyone, but my chances are better now because I practiced. Thank you for helping me learn the best way to tell an employer what I can do.”