Dennis Tran, a research fellow and quality assurance (QA) specialist, said that autism, which he was diagnosed with at the age of 27, helped him realize his own strengths and become successful in IT without a technical education.
Dennis Tran, a research fellow and quality assurance (QA) specialist, said that autism, which he was diagnosed with at the age of 27, helped him realize his own strengths and become successful in IT without a technical education.
«I was only diagnosed with autism in late 2020, when I was 27 years old. But as an autistic professional, my skills gave me an advantage in advancing in the quality assurance (QA) field without a technical education,» Tran told Business Insider.
He noted that he had not known about QA in college and that it could be a promising career option. After graduating in 2015 with a degree in health policy, Tran applied for an internship at a healthcare startup, where he landed his first real QA job. From there, he moved into software QA.
«I realized that autism is not a limitation. It allows me to innovate, solve problems, and create systems that better serve people. It is my superpower,» says Dennis Tran.
The IT-professional added that he never planned to work in the technology industry. However, he became interested in it when he monitored the indicators and followed the progress of experiments and optimized the processes of using iPads in tests at the University of California.
He later got an internship at Vablet and, despite not having a technical background, quickly mastered new tools, learned to work with applications and platforms, and gradually built a career in QA. According to Tran, he was able to easily master the platforms in a few hours and days, which helped me succeed in my work. But he had a hard time forming deep connections and friendships, and after college he became even more lonely.
«Despite this, I was doing well in my duties as a quality control specialist, but the work eventually became monotonous, and I needed novelty, innovation, and a challenge,» said Dennis Tran.
He said that 85% of college graduates with autism are unemployed or underemployed, but his brain works differently.
«I could perform tasks in a few months for which employers considered five years of experience necessary, but I did not meet their expectations,» the IT worker pointed out.
Dennis Tran believes that autism allows him to see things that others often miss: inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and trends. It also enables him to do «high-quality, thoughtful work» when it interests him.
«I approach problems differently, with creativity and non-linear thinking, which often leads to innovative solutions,» the QA specialist explained.
He said that he now works in an environment where neurodiversity is valued — as a research fellow at Community-led Autism Research, Engagement, and Service (CARES).
«Instead of trying to fit in, I have found places where my autism is seen as an asset. These environments allow me to fully utilize my skills and communicate my needs more clearly,» Dennis Tran pointed out.
Recall that earlier, 15-year-old Marko Bykhniuk from Lutsk, who has autism, developed his own game that will help preschool children develop their attention. Marko wrote down the concept of the project in his notebook a year ago, which he eventually brought to life together with his dad.
