How Employers View Cancer

[Kane Weinberg]

In the near future, I will start looking and applying for summer internships and one of the things that will surely come up is my cancer treatment. I still go to the hospital for infusions once a month and so I will have to explain to employers that I will have to miss some time in order to adhere to my treatment plan. I would imagine that most employers wouldn’t mind if I missed a little work and would consider being a cancer patient or survivor a positive, as it shows resolve and fortitude, but I fear that some employers might consider it a negative because they think the quality of work would be affected.  I guess if they consider it a negative that is certainly not someone you want to be working for anyway. Regardless, I still wonder: do you think employers consider a prospective employee being a cancer patient/survivor a positive, negative, or are they indifferent?

[Jackson David Allison]

I think we all hope that it will not have any impact whatsoever.  Luckily, they view it positively.  However, I know I'm not alone is saying that I do not like being treated differently, whether it's positive or not. 

[Lexi Chopp]

In my experience, employers and internship partners have been nothing but supportive and understanding. I think you are totally right in thinking that they should view your experiences as a positive.  Go in with confidence and I have no doubt that everything will work out fine.