ADHD Jobs & Careers?

[EmmySparkles]

So, I’m 27 years old and I have severe ADHD. To give some context as to how severe my symptoms are, I’ll tell you that I’m not supposed to drive without my adderall. The adderall helps a lot with various symptoms, but it doesn’t “cure” me, so to speak. Basically, I still exhibit symptoms and I just have to try my best to cope with them. With all that said, I’ve struggled my whole adult life with finding a job I can do adequately and feel good about. I have a bit of college credit- about two years worth. Does anyone have any suggestions for job/career ideas? I need some type of employment ASAP, but I’d also like to be able to set a long term goal somehow where I can earn more money.

[emisme]

Hello! Can you share a bit about what you wen to college for and what your current qualifications are. What have you done for work so far? If you’ve been fired or laid off, what were the reasons?

Providing this info might help you get some helpful answers.

[Chips101]

When you're in the world, what can you focus on naturally? Are you insatiably curious? Do you like to take things apart? Do you spend hours reading on the internet? Do you like build things?

Find the things that feed your brain and keep you focused. If you need a degree, take courses that have aspects that feed your ADHD mind. I hated reading for classes but have always been curious, so I learned pretty quickly that being present in classes, doing assignments as soon as they needed to be done and working with my teachers and professors helped me get through uni.

I like reading, films and I'm curious. And I hate failing and maths. Failing was getting less than a B (and I failed only once, getting a C in a statistics course).

I didn't go to the best school, but I got a great education and got my (first) degree. My work now combines a bit of some of the skills I have. I'm by no means the best, but I have work that keeps me clothed, housed and fed decently.

[Inarticulate]

My first job was in a call centre and that was really helpful for me to learn what worked. I only had to respond to calls coming through and what was on screen. Any job which you can deal with immediately and within a single screen etc is good. Jobs with Small short deadlines and immediate responses were good starters. Anything with limited paperwork and nothing to take home with me worked well.

[Zoe1964]

I'd suggest any job where you're depended on for quick results, and where you're responding to events beyond anyone's control. Anything that makes you think on your feet, that's where you'll excel. There are a lot of other people like you in those jobs, you'll find good work colleagues.

[inbetween]

I have been most successful with jobs that give me different options and the ability to oversee my own work. If you get bored or frustrated, then you can always work on something else for a bit. I enjoy working with my hands, anything that involves problem solving is engaging. I currently work as a guitar repair tech, which is a bit esoteric, but I’d still encourage you to find something that involves one of your passions.Being responsible for managing and organizing yourself can be daunting, but it can also light a fire under your ass and lead to great work if you’re providing a service for others.

[lodopo]

Can you say more about your symptoms? I have adult Add and struggle with emotional dysregulation. The best jobs I have had have been working with kids and being a gardener. I hope you find a great job soon!!

[unfocused]

Well, without knowing your particular strengths, I would say to follow your natural inclinations. It may not be possible to find a perfect job right now, so getting something to pay the bills that's at least adjacent to your interests is a start. Pay attention to what feels natural and what doesn't, and try to push your career in the direction of your strengths. I'm quite lucky that after being fired (again) from an office job, I was able to say "screw it" and go to trade school for what I actually love to do. Finally, at almost 40, I am doing the right job for me. If I had known about my adhd earlier, I could have made that transition much sooner and saved myself a lot of grief trying to fit into a 'traditional' and 'respectable' career path. I hope that you can save yourself that grief as well! Be honest about your shortcomings and your skills, and follow what moves you, and you should be able to find what works for you and your adhd. Good luck!

[Rodster in reply to unfocused]

What trade school did you go to?

[Sarava2977]

I’m a hair stylist and the ability to be creative on a short term service has been the only way I can work without becoming bored and tired! I don’t call out much because I wanna make the money, and since success is in my control I try to be the best I can at it. I’m be done this career both medicated and unmedicated. Right now, I’m not taking meds because the meds that work the best are not covered under my insurance. I don’t really like any drugs that make me feel “different” because I have severe anxiety along with severe ADHD.

[MoonlightForest]

Hi. I was diagnosed early this year. I’m 44 and had absolutely no idea that ADHD was the culprit to my behavior. The longest career I held was that of a massage therapist. I’m a “touchy-feely”kind of person and massage has given me the instant-feedback result that my brain enjoys. I started first working for a company and, as you may know, that didn’t last long and I ended up quitting a few SPA’s until I chose to become my own independent contractor. It gave me the freedom to choose my schedule, my clients, and the services I felt like doing at any given time. I am now a nursing student, and medication helps my impulsivity, but not much with my focus. I still struggle. Massage is something that I still fully enjoy, but after 18 years, my body can no longer take it.

I always went back and forth with nursing in school, but I didn’t have the patience to finish school. Now that I’m focusing on that, I’m looking to work in environments that give my brain satisfaction.

Perhaps you can think of your preferences and see the categories of work you can do.

I hope this helps.

[Mini-S8]

I’d try small goals, one at a time. Small changes lead to big changes ❤️.This is what I am trying to do - just putting one foot in front of the other.

I’m 30 and completed 2 years of my bachelor’s degree when I was younger but dropped out. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 28 and was really struggling with life. I am still unemployed but I am focusing on looking after my well-being and taking small steps towards eventually going back into work or education.

It’s also okay to not know what you want to do in your career or life yet. I still don’t know.

I hope you can find a job you like and start moving towards something that’s right for you.

Sorry I can’t be more of help.

A good friend always reminds me that if I have the willingness then that’s half the battle xx