Career Advice

[GodBetoGlory]

I have issues with finding and keeping work with my condition. I have skills, a degree, and everything, but I cannot seem to keep working. Every job I find lets me go for either no reason or due to my condition. I am looking for some advice from people who also have ADHD, how do you all keep and find work that is meaningful and holds your attention?

[STEM_Dad]

I don't really have good advice, because I tried to follow all kinds of career advice given to me over the years, but it didn't get me anywhere.

I sort of stumbled into my current career in Information Technology. Now I've been at it for 11 years. But I started in this field in my mid-30s.

I tried different things, different job fields, 5 different college majors...still no degree. After I ran out of financial aid, I looked for work, and I got hired at a Computer Help Desk. I've been doing IT work ever since (besides a brief stint as a cashier, when I was between tech jobs).

Why does this job field work for me? I like helping people, I like solving problems, I'm interested in making tech work better for people, and I've found that I have a talent for it.

But I tried several other things before finding my way into this field. I also tried different roles in IT, and found that my focus is on customer service and support. (The behind the scenes roles we're my cup of tea.)

[STEM_Dad in reply to STEM_Dad]

GodBetoGlory TL;DR

Finding the right career for you isn't easy.

Factors to consider:

* What interests you

* What your talents are

* What motivates you

* What do you need from your employer, from the person you report to, from your colleagues, etc

Think about any work you've done so far...what parts were good, what were bad? Think about the work that others around you do/have done ... have you thought to yourself "I'd like to do that"?

[Hidden in reply to STEM_Dad]

oh man from the million jobs i did, working in IT for me was the best thing to keep my mind busy. i had about 80 clients on site to manage and multitasking was key. i was a machine XD . but as things go, after 2 years corporate decided to cut all on-site ITs country-wide and i was let go. atm ive just been recruited for a new cyber-security team. ive already informed them of my condition. it was the first time i brought it up during a job interview, and they were kind of confused at first. but i briefly explained it was the very reason im very good a things like thinking outside the box, wich they said it was the very reason they reached to me.

it will be a nice change since for the past 3 years ive been living month by month doing whatever i could

[STEM_Dad in reply to Hidden]

By saying that you were recruited, I hope that means you got the job.

Good luck to you!

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(I've known of a number of neurodiverse people who work in IT, or related tech roles like web design. I recently thought that there ought to be a forum for us neurodivergent people in IT & Tech industry. Or maybe a more general work/career forum, with an IT/Tech channel.)

[GregorysMom]

I am 72 , discovered by accident in late 50s I probably had ADHD while struggling on the job. Then it took years to get any counselor or psychiatrist to give a damn enough to even allow it to come up in conversation. More than 12 years later, retired in another state, I finally am getting some decent care from both a psychiatrist and a psychological counselor after paying a bunch of them a whole lot of insurance money for about 50 years to keep me from jumping off a ledge (hyperbole....I am not suicidal).

I was lucky to get a decent paying job and hold on to it till I could get a pension and benefits before retiring after 30 years of work. In fact I'm the biggest success story in my family.

But I did my share of job hopping. Of course the market was nothing like it is now. In the beginning of my career I didn't have AS MUCH difficulty. I was a teacher.......a very good one in a good field where there was need. But my personality was not for every administrator. Then I got kicked up stairs into training and administration. I worked for the state, then back to school districts in administration. Those jobs depend very much on political skill, personal fluidity. With ADHD they were never my strong suits. I made up for my disadvantage in that area (not knowing what it was , believing it was a character flaw) , by outworking everyone around me. I became too good to let go in lousy districts. They really tried to unload me unsuccessfully. But don't mistake that for skating. It was hell on earth but I hung in there. I will say in the latter part of my career, with impeccable credentials and experience ( we ADHDers are not dummies), I must have applied for more than 1000 administrative jobs for better money but was not successful. Still I know I am lucky in many ways. I even feel guilty about it often.

Job instability now is compounded by the economy. I'm a baby boomer. So our time is passing. I thank God every day I am not just starting out now. But remember

Some basic tips I have:

1. Learn everything you can about your condition (ADHD and it's pals like anxiety and depression,e tc. I find myself now knowing more than many "professionals." Don't give up until you get good ones.

2. Don't expect meds to solve your problems. ADHD is new, researchers are just learning what different things can do for you. Big pharma is building the plane as they fly it to some extent as well. And they WILL charge you for it. I'm sure I don't have to tell you what mental health services are like in this country. Always make sure you have decent, knowledgable focused talk therapy , either group or one on one, to accompany meds. If possible make sure your psychiatrist and/or counselor knows what ADHD is. MANY, THE MAJORITY DON'T although they all think/say they do. Keep looking till you find them.

Remember that the best meds can do is help you cope and manage your life; not fix you. You have to work at that any other way you can. Get outside into nature, get plenty of sunlight, etc.

3. Don't tell a lot of people, maybe none or almost none on the job about your ADHD. Word will easily get to ears that should not know and who can misinterpret and use it against you. Many "educated" people don't consider ADHD a real ailment and many even resent it. Your bosses don't care how smart you are if you get loud or hyper, or why you might be anxious and depressed . Work on timeliness, meeting deadlines, your social skills, getting the job done and then some. As a woman I learned too late that we manifest ADHD by excessive talking. I was like, "Now you tell me," when I learned that.

4. Be as positive and patient. That's all you can do right? I've always been told to meditate. Right. It's hard for non-ADHD people. For those of us with it, good luck. I'm working on mindfulness ; that's just step 1 and I'm 72.

Good luck to you. Know your territory. Try to avoid the landmines. In the words of the Grateful Dead, "Keep on truckin'"