Benjamin is a Junior Data Analyst in our Melbourne office. Diagnosed as autistic when very young, he has faced countless challenges, but his determination and passion for surveying led him to find a home at ASA. Discover how he overcame adversity, mastered Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and carved a successful career in a field once thought unattainable.
Benjamin Jarrett: I was born and raised in Rosebud, Victoria. My mother was a registered nurse who now works as a receptionist for a urologist at a hospital. My father is a mechanical engineer, and my (younger) sister is studying law after finishing her pharmaceutical science degree. I was diagnosed as autistic when I was quite young, only three. My parents had brought me to the doctor for a routine check, and he noticed that I wouldn’t use non-verbal communication like nodding or shaking my head or hand gestures, which led to my diagnosis.
With my education, I went to a couple of primary and secondary schools. I’d describe this period as a roller coaster with its ups and downs. Some moments were great, but at other times, there were experiences that I hated. There was some bullying here and there and times when I felt I was falling behind. Some schools had good support; others didn’t. However, I made some great friends throughout school and later on at university, including other young neurodivergent adults. I found that I belonged to this group and could have ‘secret conversations in a kind of encrypted code in a safe environment where people were understanding. In fact, there is one person I’ve been friends with since I was three!
I found that my expressive and receptive communication impacted my performance at school and university, as I sometimes stutter. My nonverbal and slow expression and reception have sometimes reduced my confidence in interactions. It would take me a long time to complete an assignment, and I often applied for extensions. This has previously affected my ability to execute simple presentations. For example, topics ranging from a talk about magnets in Grade 6 to my surveying degree thesis on plasma bubbles and their impact on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) communication at university. Communication has impacted my interactions, whether they are a work colleague, a class peer, or even a barista when I order a coffee. It also includes my family and close friends, sometimes reducing my confidence to speak and engage.
My first job was as a produce assistant at a supermarket, which I did casually for around nine years. I only recently left that to work full-time at ASA. At the same time, while studying, I undertook multiple roles with various surveying companies as an assistant surveyor at cadastral and engineering/construction firms.
“I originally got into surveying because my parents recommended the profession. I initially thought no because there’s a lot of report writing, but when I looked into it more, I realised it involved a lot of mathematics, patterns and numbers, which I love, plus I'm into maps. I’ve got multiple versions of Melways, Melbourne's thick paper-based street directories! In my parents’ eyes, they saw it as a perfect hybrid of indoor and outdoor work combined with maps, numbers and my attention to detail.”
However, I found finding and maintaining secure work challenging for several reasons. Mainly, anxiety affected me at the job interview stage. If I was lucky to land a role, I’d have trouble keeping it. Throughout these recruitment processes, I would switch between disclosing and not disclosing my autism. If I disclosed it early on, I was afraid of not landing an interview at all, being declined an offer if I managed to make the interview stage, or if I actually did land something, I was scared of losing my job once I got it.
We all know the cliché ‘fake it until you make it’, but it was hard not mentioning something that’s been a massive part of your life. It’s like walking on a tightrope. Still, despite all of this, I completed my Bachelor of Applied Science Surveying (Honours) in 2023, which I’m very proud of. I have many people to thank for this achievement: my family (who helped me the most), friends, teachers, mentors, role models, and primary, high school and university support staff.
“Some of the workplaces I experienced weren’t exactly neurodivergent-friendly due to the high-pressure environment, which increased my anxiety. I left those roles because the work environment didn’t suit me (for example, dealing with demanding clients and complex procedures), and I found it overwhelming at times. Others involved circumstances outside my control, such as company financial issues and the pandemic. However, the upside from all of this turmoil was that I gained a lot of experience in surveying, and I’m now using that knowledge at ASA.”
I found out about ASA after some people I knew recommended it as a neurodivergent-friendly workplace. I sent my resume through and landed a Junior Data Analyst role. I was so surprised to find a place that embraced such an underrated segment of society! I’m amazed that ASA has grown so big and caters for neurodivergent people. At the start of my ASA journey in 2023, I worked in the Telecommunications and Digital Engineering streams. I found that the Digital Engineering stream did not suit me as there was no work related to my surveying skills. So, I moved to the GIS, geospatial, and geodata streams as I am helping that section of ASA based on learnings from my tertiary education and previous surveying experience. I’ve worked on many projects, including critical infrastructure (e.g., Brisbane Airport, water utilities, roads, rail, defence bases, fibreoptic cable rollout), agricultural mapping, and other diverse projects.
What I really enjoy about working at ASA is that I’m applying my past knowledge and experience from surveying work on multiple projects while providing skills and knowledge transfer to my workmates. I’m thrilled that I work at an organisation where the majority of people are neurodivergent and where I can apply my neurodivergent strengths. My managers and colleagues are very professional, kind, understanding, and lovely people to work alongside. I’ve had great opportunities to present my work to organisations like the Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley Local Learning and Employment Network. Having a structure and continuous practice has helped me improve my presentation skills. I’m still nervous about messing up my words and stuttering, but I am getting there!
“ASA has helped me achieve my goal of obtaining full-time work in the surveying and geospatial industry. I’ve gained more confidence in my skills to execute any project. I’ve also gained confidence in speaking out and sharing my experiences with autism to help any neurodivergent person who is going through the same journey of studying and finding work. I am proud to achieve all these major goals with a condition that creates huge obstacles.”
My experience communicating with neurotypical people has generally been good despite the nerves. I’m a pretty social person, even though, at times, I’m nervous about meeting new people. I prefer communicating face-to-face (in person or online) or via email. It helps that I had experience from interacting with my friends who have a neurodivergent condition.
From my point of view, other workplaces can support neurodivergent individuals by raising awareness of neurodiversity in general. Every place I’ve worked at before ASA has had very little awareness of neurodivergent people and their needs or learning styles. ASA is a great benchmark for all organisations to examine a neurodivergent person’s strengths and interests and how they can help achieve business objectives.
For example, the surveying, engineering and construction industries must be aware of and accept neurodivergent people and provide the right conditions in a fast-paced working environment, including making it safe to be themselves. I love how ASA promotes neurodiversity in the workplace to other organisations via our training modules, not just in the geospatial and engineering fields. I am incredibly grateful to our People Success Officers (PSOs) who help with life’s challenges. They’ve been great mentors and have provided me with valuable guidance.
Outside of work, I have a range of interests. My current hobbies include Dungeons and Dragons and bike riding. I’m interested in all sports, especially ice hockey and AFL. I used to play cricket and do karate, and I even got a first-dan black belt!
In the future, I’d like to keep developing my geospatial skills at ASA in the short term. This includes enhancing my surveying skills and helping others interested in this area. I also want to continue improving my leadership skills and build confidence. In the long term, who knows? I’m happy to pursue my geospatial path and keep my options open with surveying. But I’m definitely better because of my ASA experience.
“Others are benefitting from working with organisations on some of Australia’s most important construction and engineering projects. ASA epitomises what happens when you give people a chance.”