skip to main content
US FlagAn official website of the United States government
dot gov icon
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
https lock icon
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Search for: All records

Creators/Authors contains: "Vittum, Michael"

Note: When clicking on a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number, you will be taken to an external site maintained by the publisher. Some full text articles may not yet be available without a charge during the embargo (administrative interval).
What is a DOI Number?

Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from this site.

  1. The increasing recognition of neurodiversity (ND) within science, technology, engineeringand mathematics (STEM) fields has led to a growing demand for inclusive educationalpractices that support neurodivergent scholars. This paper explores the impact ofmentorship, career counseling, and the use of strengths-based assessments, such as theBirkmanĀ® assessment, on the career readiness of neurodivergent students at LandmarkCollege’s S-STEM program. Using social cognitive career theory (SCCT) as a framework,we analyze longitudinal data from program participants, highlighting an increase ininternship participation and career confidence. Interviews with recent graduates reveal keychallenges in the post-graduation transition period, the role of professional networks, andthe importance of near-peer mentoring in career persistence. The study underscores thecritical need for structured post-graduate support and proposes a near-peer mentorshipmodel to facilitate career integration for neurodivergent STEM graduates. Findingscontribute to the growing literature on ND inclusion in STEM and offer actionable insightsfor higher education institutions. 
    more » « less
    Free, publicly-accessible full text available March 1, 2026