Spanning a career of more than 30 years as a program manager and HR professional, AASCEND  past-president Jack Fagan has screened thousands of resumes, interviewed more than 500 job applicants, and hired over a 100 job seekers. At AASCEND’s May 4th Job Club, he’ll share his insights on getting into the minds of hiring manager with suggested do’s and don’ts for cover letters, resumes and more, plus secret advantages for a strong interview performance.  

Here’s your chance to cash in on some serious hiring experience! Come with your questions about how to impress a hiring manager. As always, attendees on the spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program.

Special thanks to the Autism Studies Department at SFSU for volunteers!

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat May 4, 10am – 1pm
Where: The Arc of SF 1500 Howard St. @ 11th St. SF, CA 94103 map

For more information about employment on the autism spectrum, join us at:Spectrum Employment Community by AASCEND on LinkedIn

Parking is usually available in the garage at 255 12th Street, with a reasonable flat rate for Saturdays. There is also metered street parking for $2.25/hr.

UPDATE: The hike was a blast! Frigid blustery weather kept all but the hardiest at bay, and those who turned up were champs. Great conversations, with plenty of sun to go along with the gale, were had by all!

Be sure to check out hiker and AASCEND member Isaac Haney-Owens’ April 28, 8pm interview on KGO radio, where he’ll be talking about his work at Creativity Explored.

Now for something completely similar! At AASCEND‘s April 20 meeting we’ll be reprising our popular Spring hike (more like a walk) at San Francisco’s beautiful and easy-walkin’ Lands End. Come revel together in the calming natural world so many autistic people enjoy.

The hike is as always a chance to all get to know each other better and to enjoy El Niño’s spring bounty (no kidding!) in one of the more gorgeous places on Earth – right here in San Francisco! There is food at the Lookout Cafe and Visitor Center where we’ll meet, but you might want to bring a snack.

When: Sat Apr 20, 10am – noon(+)
Where: Lands End Lookout Cafe and Visitor Center 680 Point Lobos Ave, SF, CA 94121 – located in the parking lot near 48th Ave & Pt. Lobos Ave. map

There is parking in the mentioned lot by the Visitor’s Center and also a smaller lot across the street and along El Camino del Mar. The 38 bus line stops at 48th Ave & Pt Lobos Ave. about 100 yards up from the Lookout.

At the April 13 Job Club (rescheduled from the 8th), AASCEND  hosts Ken Pontac, an American writer who has written for children’s shows like ToddWorld and LazyTown. He also writes for the dark humor cartoon Happy Tree Friends. Pontac’s company, Danger Productions, employed a staff of one hundred artists and animators. With this company Pontac created, produced, wrote and directed the ABC TV animated program Bump in the Night. 

Danger Productions also designed and produced the characters for the best-selling video game ClayFighter for Interplay, as well as creating animated assets for Microsoft Office 97 and My Personal Tutor. From 1990 to the present Pontac has written scripts for animated television episodes that have been translated into a dozen languages and shown around the world. During that time he has also worked as a director for the UPN prime time animated program Gary & Mike, for which his episode Phish Phry won an Emmy for Best Art Direction. 

Don’t miss this rare view into the life of a professional creator in animation! Come with your questions for this experienced and engaging presenter. As always, attendees on the spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program.

Special thanks to the Autism Studies Department at SFSU for volunteers!

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Apr 13, 10am – 1pm
Where: The Arc of SF 1500 Howard St. @ 11th St. SF, CA 94103 map

For more information about employment on the autism spectrum, join us at:
Spectrum Employment Community by AASCEND on LinkedIn

Parking is usually available in the garage at 255 12th Street, with a reasonable flat rate for Saturdays. There is also metered street parking for $2.25/hr.

Due to a special Autism Advancement* Month meeting of the AASCEND Board of Directors the regularly scheduled Job Club will NOT be held April 6. Stay tuned for further developments.

*Our little joke. We think Autism Awareness and Acceptance are great, but at AASCEND we aim for Autism Advancement!