A more specific thank you to my manager

(because putting it in the goodbye zoom chat would be uncomfortable)

One of the first things my departing engineering manager told me was, “Whatever you need to do — to get your job done or just communicate in a way that works for you — don’t let anyone tell you that you are lesser for it.”

As an autistic person who’s had to do employment-related things a little differently now and then, this meant the world to me. I never formally disclosed at this company, but my manager really ‘got it’ and not only expressed support — he practiced it. And he openly admired and encouraged self-advocacy as well.

I can’t begin to describe what that has meant for my confidence, productivity, and self-perceived potential as a software engineer and individual contributor.

So if you ever see this, thank you, departing manager!