Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed — Greatful Moments is blessed to welcome Dr. Nicole Walters, President of Maximilian Kolbe Career School, as our guest today.
As parents, we spend years helping our children learn, grow, become responsible, and eventually find their place in the world. One of the biggest transitions can be helping a young person move from school into the workplace and, ultimately, greater independence.
But what happens when a young person learns, communicates, processes information, or experiences the world differently from what is considered typical?
You may have heard the word neurodivergent, but you may not be sure exactly what it means.
In simple terms, neurodivergent describes people whose brains work differently from what is considered the typical or “neurotypical” way. Neurodivergence can include conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other differences in how someone learns, communicates, focuses, processes information, or interacts with the world.
Being neurodivergent does not mean that someone cannot learn, work, contribute, or succeed. In fact, young people can have tremendous strengths and talents that may not always be obvious through traditional classrooms, interviews, or other conventional measures.
That is why this conversation matters to families.
At Greatful Moments, we talk often about family, children, education, growing up, and the little steps that help our children become independent adults. Preparing a young person for the workforce is part of that journey.
Today, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Nicole Walters, President of Maximilian Kolbe Career School, to talk about helping young people prepare for employment and independence.
Through Kolbe Works, the school’s hands-on approach gives students opportunities to practice workplace skills, communication, responsibility, problem-solving, and other skills they will need beyond the classroom.
Rather than simply asking whether a young person is “ready” for a job, this conversation asks a bigger question:
How can we help young people recognize their strengths, develop the skills they need, and find opportunities where they can contribute and thrive?
That is a conversation we believe families need to have.
Preparing for the First Job
Greatful Moments: What should young people know before they apply for their first job?
Dr. Nicole Walters: Getting a job is only the beginning. Young people need to learn how to communicate, manage time, work with others, receive feedback, solve problems, and advocate for themselves.
For neurodivergent students, we also focus on self-awareness—understanding their strengths, how they learn best, and what supports help them perform at their best. At Kolbe Works, we believe these skills should be explicitly taught, practiced, and connected to real-world experiences.
Beyond the Traditional Interview
Greatful Moments: How can employers better recognize the abilities of neurodivergent candidates?
Dr. Nicole Walters: We need to look beyond the traditional interview. An interview may not always reveal what someone can actually do.
Work samples, job simulations, skills demonstrations, and practical problem-solving activities can give employers a much clearer picture of a candidate’s abilities. We should be asking, “What does this person bring to the work, and how can we create an opportunity for those strengths to be seen?”
Workplace Expectations and Communication
Greatful Moments: How does Kolbe Works prepare students for the everyday realities of employment?
Dr. Nicole Walters: We make the invisible rules of the workplace visible. We teach students how to manage schedules, communicate with supervisors and coworkers, ask for clarification, respond to feedback, handle changes, and understand what professionalism looks and sounds like.
Through role-play, coaching, and hands-on experiences, students practice these skills before they are expected to navigate them independently on the job.
What Employers Can Do Differently
Greatful Moments: What can employers do to help neurodivergent employees succeed?
Dr. Nicole Walters: Start with clarity. Clearly communicate expectations, provide written instructions when helpful, break complex tasks into manageable steps, and create opportunities for regular feedback and mentorship.
Most importantly, don’t define an employee by the support they may need. Ask, “What strengths does this person bring to our organization?”
Inclusion isn’t about lowering expectations; it’s about removing unnecessary barriers to demonstrating competence.
Advice for Families and Young People
Greatful Moments: Where should families begin when thinking about employment and independence?
Dr. Nicole Walters: Start earlier than you think. Workplace readiness begins with everyday opportunities to practice responsibility, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving.
And for young people, don’t wait until you feel completely ready—readiness develops through experience.
At Kolbe Works, our message is simple: You have gifts. You have strengths. You have a contribution to make. Our job is to help you recognize those strengths, develop the skills to use them, and find opportunities where you can thrive.
Why This Conversation Matters
For families, preparing for adulthood doesn’t begin when a child fills out their first job application.
It begins with the everyday moments when children learn to communicate what they need, solve a problem, accept responsibility, ask for help, make decisions, work with other people, and discover what they are good at.
For a neurodivergent young person, those skills may need to be taught and practiced in ways that recognize how that individual learns best.
And perhaps one of the most important messages from Dr. Walters is that needing support should not cause us to overlook someone’s strengths.
Every young person has something to contribute.
Our job as parents, educators, employers, and communities is to help them discover what that contribution can be—and give them opportunities to use it.
We are grateful to Dr. Nicole Walters for joining us at Greatful Moments and sharing this important conversation about young people, employment, independence, and recognizing the strengths of neurodivergent learners.
About Maximilian Kolbe Career School
Maximilian Kolbe Career School works with students through educational and career-focused programs designed to help them develop practical skills and prepare for life beyond school.
Through Kolbe Works, students have opportunities to practice workplace skills and gain real-world experience.
To learn more about the school and its programs, visit Maximilian Kolbe Career School.
Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Walters. Greatful Moments is grateful to share your message with our families and readers.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
