Being diverse isn’t a bad thing as I’ve certainly found. It makes me who I am, and my network wouldn’t have it any other way. My name is Leora Wilson; I work at Mott MacDonald, a global engineering, management and development consultancy, as an analyst. I co-chair the Department for Education’s London Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, and I am also autistic.
Thriving off structure and contact, when I finished school I knew university wasn’t for me. Instead, I took up an apprenticeship in transport planning with Mott MacDonald – and it’s turned out to the best decision of my life. I work with a mature group of people who not only like me for who I am and help me grow as both a person and professional, but also take great pride in teaching me my latest sarcastic phrase! Yes, I am definitely not your typical office worker. We have quite the issue in my office that when I get excited and jump up and down all the computer monitors shake… oops!
But I’m so lucky to have the most amazing team that value and like my diversity in a typical world. If I had to give one tip to anyone about how to support someone like me, it’s this: invest the time to get to know the person. Teach them coping strategies, find their strengths and make the most of them – because those strengths will be unique to each person. It may take time, but the benefits are worth it in the long run.
For me, that strength was data. Learning how to use Microsoft Excel and Power BI properly from one of my mentors turned me into a whizz! I also had the chance to go on secondment this year into the bus and coach world, after which I had great fun working in transport operations for major events! The client I worked with also took the time to help me develop and grow, giving me greater and greater responsibilities. That support helped me take up more senior roles on new projects!
And through it all, I’ve learned that the workplace isn’t just about tasks and deadlines – it’s also about the people, the quirks, and the culture. From “carrot and stick” to “elephants in the room” (I’m still waiting for the day where someone says that and I actually get to meet an elephant), the working world is certainly a funny place, and I love it. It’s those moments of humour and connection that remind me why diversity matters. Because when we bring different perspectives into a typical world, we make it better, happier, and more human.
