What job(s) suit the ADHD’er? | ADHD Information

Hey,

I would also like to know jobs that would be stimulating and enjoyable for ADHDers. I get bored soo easily! So many jobs bore me out there. I'm in college and going into computers but don't believe it is the right thing for me at all. It's too "over my head". Anyway, I want something fun and exciting. I have no idea what to do after college. I want a good job and stuff, but I'm afraid I'll get super bored and keep changing jobs. I want to hold down a job I really do. But, what is interesting? i've thought and thought and thought and can't think of what I might like to do for work. Any suggestions? It's scary not knowing. help! :)

I find that I need to be high enough up the ladder that there is no boss breathing down my neck, and enough people under me that I can come up with the bright ideas and have someone else do the really tedious tasks in implementing them

Hi!!

I'm getting my masters in mental health counseling, for a couple of reasons. Most importantly, it is a way to understand (ADHD, but other things as well) and to help others so that maybe they won't have to go through what I did (waiting 30+ years to figure out what is "wrong"). Second reason is that once I graduate and finish 3000 hours of work, I can sit for licensure as a private practice therapist and have at least a measure of the independence I need to function successfully in a professional environment.

[QUOTE=GarbagePailKid]What are you getting your masters in? Maybe something in that field interests you?
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What we should do is all form our own non-profit adult ADD support foundation, and work doing that for a living. Having people like us around would be complete entertainment. We can help others like us and still make a living. It would not be much money, but as long as we all could eat, pay bills, & still be able to goof around on our computers on our off time, then it would be the ultimate fun job.

Hey all,

I am both frustrated by my ability to hyperfocus and the amount of energy I am able to muster up to do something i'm truly interested in, but that does not necessarily translate into the work that I do. I love my present job, mainly because i'm fairly independent and I am not forced to sit for long periods of time (I can't, yikes, would drive me nuts). Anyway, soon I will have to find a new job, as I am in the midst of a masters degree and need something that fulfills internship requirements. The search has made me wonder, there must be individuals with ADD/ADHD who have found jobs that are stimulating and satisfying and i'd love to know some examples of what you've found as the "perfect" work for you.

When you find out, please tell me! 8)My perfect work would have to involve complete freedom from any form of an authority figure.

It would also hav eto be something that allowed me to express my creative side, and not be glued to a desk.

Unfortunately, my present job doesn't equal any of those qualities.

What are you getting your masters in? Maybe something in that field interests you?

Me too! In fact, the only job that ever came anywhere close to doing that was working in daycare centers for 6 years of my life. But my child-like ways always ended up making me seem like a big kid to the children and they didn't listen to me after awhile. They stressed me out so bad I quit & started working in office. Little did I know that was worse.

Ideally, if the ADHD person entertains the kids while a normal one does the discipline, it would work perfectly for them to work in a daycare center.

I've done computer troubleshooting for a hospital, and that worked out well until I was "promoted" under a lousy (ie. hypercritical) boss. I think anything that lacks deadlines, is pretty low-structure, and involves working with the same clients day after day (so they can't be too obnoxious) is OK. I'd like to do something more creative, though.

Isn't someone on this forum in sales?
A multi-million dollar lottery winner[QUOTE=buffalopc77]

Hey all,

[/QUOTE] I love my job. I am a nail tech and I work from my home but I do have other things in my life that allow for that; I have a husband with a descent job and benefits, I live in a house that we are remodeling, and I have many hobbies. But before that I couldn't ever hold down a job. I love all the freedom I have and I do make a descent living. I work for myself and make my own schedule. And if I want to sleep in one morning I can (til I have kids,of course!). It also is my ADHD creative outlet and I am good at it. It took me a long time to be able to say that about a job.I've been thinking of some sort of event coordinator.
I worked at an auction house and at charity, personal property and real eastate auctions and dig that sort of work. got an apprentice auctioneer's license but the company i worked for pretty much disentegrated with hate and rancor all around so it looks like that is a dead end. I liked being a spotter, joking around with people, yelling "YUP!" when I got a bid. Really fun in large rooms with people at tables which is how charity auctions often went.
Anyway there are dozens of meeting halls etc, around and I'd like to possiblt start a monthly indoor yard sale flea market or something like that - still selling junk like auctions but different and 100's of people and details to attend to fast. As long as I can find a normal person to do the paperwork and I can wheel about getting things solved I think this would be great. been speaking to a large furniture company about coordinating a once or twice yearly furniture auction which would be PERFECT. They have a room full of accountant types and a warehose full of heavy lifting types.

TR!

you enjoy it because it sounds like like it is a high energy and fast paced enviroment. Perfect to accomidate ADHD! Something new all the time. Kind of like remodeling my house!!

I have wanted to work for myself many times. Point me to one 8)Let me through a curved ball into the conversation. I think there is an inherent misfit between having ADD and trying to fit into a job. Sure, some jobs may be better than others, but I maintain that ADDers need to structure their own workday/job. My vote would therefore not go to any job, but rather to self employment. Plato argued that the highest ideal to strive for is not military success or even public office but self employment. I think he was right!
I think that is why I am still doing nails is because I can do what ever I want. I also have been working part time for a daycare in the afternoon sense Dec. and I already want to quit. I love the extra play money but I life is to short to be unhappy by choice.I have been reading these boards for the last month or so and I think this is one of the most interesting threads. I am currently in sales and i dont mind it as long as i dont have a boss down my back about quotas. I am currently trying to go to chiropractic school. I am wondering if any of you know any ADD chiropractors that would be interesting to know. But i think its a job that can suit us well, generally you are moving around most the day talking to people and solving thier health related problems.

David
being an HEIR/HEIRESS

I have found that starting my own businesses several times now is good medicine I need the mass distraction and confusion to keep sane. Even if the business is unsuccessful as most of mine I just keep going back in.

I have a double dose of the H factor I have literally worn out my body exerting myself to the limits. At present I am in computers this seems to keep me mentally tired most of the time and I can live with thatI find being my own boss is the answer. I am a stay at home Mom, but sell on Ebay and it's great. I set my hours and it's exciting because of the unpredictability of it all. I buy things at garage sales and resale shops and sell for a profit. What a rush! It's a nice living if you can afford to stay home.Unemployment suits us- just kidding. A job where you are always active. Driving a truck, law enforcement, reporter, actor, fitness instructor....you get the picture.

I was an auto technician for many years. I loved the work but hated the customers, but for a select few. I had also managed a shop on a few occaisions which always proved disasterous. Due to a work related condition (severe arthritis in both ankles from the cold shop floor) I am no longer able to perform the tasks at the level I would need to be properly productive.

I am now working as a school custodian. My shift involves mostly cleaning, and other tedium. I HATE IT!!!!!! Unless of course I find something that I'm able to repair or assemble.

Right now I'm being f***ed with on my job. I was on second shift which I liked a bit better, but have since been setenced to the gulag of the graveyard shift. I sleep all day and never see family or friends. I'm viewing this as a punishment due to preformance issues, although it was never admitted to be that. I don't want to leave for a few reasons.... 1 it's a civil service job and was difficult to procure..... 2 if I leave for just any job that means they win. I will leave, but on MY terms not theirs. I plan to retake the exam to get back on the hiring list. That way I get in a district closer to home, use less gas, and will get paid more for the same work, as the district for which I'm employed is next to the lowest paying in the county.

bcgirl1978, I'm with you. I hear ya'.

For me, I feel good when I can be on my own program and deal with completing a job my way. I can have a deadline but other then that, leave me alone and let me meet it my way.

We make great writers, entertainers, artists, musicians, artists, so maybe somehow incorporating that somehow in what you do some way, and we can be very creative so think about it carefully, but maybe that will help.

We can get very bored and frustrated in non-stimulating work situations.

If you're trapped in an office, play some light background music with NO singing. It helps you stay focused maybe as a white noise that helps with distractions too. goldenmoment38458.6879976852Hi Reizende,

As Buffalopc77 said...it varies a lot! I suspect it is more the environment and ability to structure things your way than the product or service that makes being self employed enjoyable.

I know that there are tons of resources out there (on the net, your local library, local entrepreneur groups for eg) for ideas and knowledge. Just ask some of your ADD friends for their ideas (if they are like me then the problem is not what idea but how to choose from the dozens bouncing around my head all the time!)

[QUOTE=scarygreengiant] I'm about to get fired from my job. My employer is giving me until the end of the month to let me get things sorted out and then I'm gone. I feel like a deer caught in headlights right now. I have no idea what to do. Where the f**k am I going to find another job? [/QUOTE]

Hey, I've been there. I feel for you.

The thing I really wish I had done differently is not let it get me down. Maybe you can turn it into a kind of opportunity. Maybe you can get on unemployment insurance for a while and take the time to benefit yourself while you look for your next job.

I don't know what your goals are - maybe they could be even coming up with a goal but I'd create something that you were doing for yourself as a result of this situation. It could become your turning point.

OK, a couple questions. A.) Does your employer have an HR department? B.) Have you been diagnosed with ADHD by a psychologist or psychiatrist? If both are true, the best course would be to tell your HR that your difficulties at work are do to your medical condition. That will raise the spectre of discrimination and boy do HR departments fear that. They probably will either get you to a different type of work or at least get your supervisor to back off until it's shown you can get things under control through meds.

Another thing to do would be check with your state's unemployment agency. Tell them you have ADHD and are likely to get fired for performance reasons. You can then get the ball rolling to get unemployment if you do get canned, and maybe even qualify for training or something due to your "disability". Hope this helps.

[QUOTE=DKTrades]

im in a sales-type job and i utterly despise it. maybe its the adhd, maybe not, but i feel like im surrounded by idiots. plus im not a big fan of interacting with people; kind of an introvert, you may say. i really dont think that sales is the right job for someone with add/adhd, but thats just me.

ive really been thinking about going back to school to study mechanical engineering. a daunting task im sure, but i need something that will allow my problem-solving, analytical mind to flourish the way it wants to. plus i really like to make stuff (random).

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Do you think that the reason you hate your job is because of the expectations of it? Sales tend to be a very competative job and when I was doing it, I found that it was the anxiety of the expectation that i couldn't work with. Even though you are doing your own thing you still have a boss and you still have to meet requirements. Thats why I couldn't do that job. If I wake up one morning and am having a bad depression day then I just don't work and thats what I needed. What are your interests? What do you think you would be good at?

I'm a graphic designer and my wild brain can work wonders...and sometimes cause problems. However, it's never ever boring.

To be honest, i've worked both for myself and for others over the years, and you are right, I have felt the most comfortable and been the most productive on my own. I have owned a catering business and I also had an odd, but very successful business for many years, I bred show-quality siamese fighting fish. Weird, I know, but i'll tell you, I LOVED that I structured my day, it was detailed and fast paced enough to keep my interest and I never lost interest. Makes you wonder sometimes, why we sometimes feel so compelled to "fit" into the traditional business sense (ie: corporate environments), when in reality we have the potential to be wildly successful doing the things we truly enjoy.

[QUOTE=buccaneer]Let me through a curved ball into the conversation. I think there is an inherent misfit between having ADD and trying to fit into a job. Sure, some jobs may be better than others, but I maintain that ADDers need to structure their own workday/job. My vote would therefore not go to any job, but rather to self employment. Plato argued that the highest ideal to strive for is not military success or even public office but self employment. I think he was right!
[/QUOTE]

For a while in my long and varied corporate career, I had a job handling contracts for a health insurance company. I had to keep several balls in the air at once and it was perfect for my ADHD. Deadlines all over the place, meetings to run off to when I got bored, switching from project to project. Then the Evil Vice President came and took our jobs away...

Now I am at a totally different company doing somewhat interesting but very repetitive work. It is getting harder and harder to focus so I have to find someway to find that hyper focus.

My ideal job would be to finish the novel that I have been working on forever, get it published, and then make a living writing. The chances of that happening are slightly higher than that of a snowball in hell but hey, I have to try.

Jeez, I hate emoticons, why am I doing this. Stop me, please stop me.

MY 16 YEAR OLD SON LIKES TO FARM, WORK ON MACHINERY, AND DEAL WITH CATTLE. HE HAS TO STAY MOTIVATED ALL THE TIME. HE REALLY NEEDS SOMEONE TO KEEP HIM GOING OR HE WANDERS OFF IF NOT TOTALLY INVOLVED. DO YOU THINK PART OF THIS IS JUST HIS BEING A TEENAGER AND NEEDING TO GET DONE TO BE AROUND HIS PEERS OR WILL HE STRUGGLE WITH THIS FOREVER??? HE WOULD LIKE TO GO TO A TRADE SCHOOL AND LEARN EITHER DEISEL MECHANICS OR CAR RESTORATION. HIS DIG DREAM IS TO BE ON A RANCH SOMEDAY. I TELL HIM HE CAN DO WHATEVER HE SETS HIS MIND TO DO. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS. IT'S HELPFUL TO ME TO UNDERSTAND MY SON BETTER.

When I researched up on ADD,before I got diagnosed, I could barely stop and go to sleep at night. I get so hyperfocused on the research and how interesting it is that I don't want to quit. Maybe I Should be a disorder researcher. Would be so much fun learning about different problems etc. I find it fascinating. I think sales type jobs can be good for the hyperactive talkative ADHDers but not the inattentive, shy people such as myself. I would die! lol. I have a bit of social anxiety so I would really struggle!!

I'm about to get fired from my job. My employer is giving me until the end of the month to let me get things sorted out and then I'm gone. I feel like a deer caught in headlights right now. I have no idea what to do. Where the f**k am I going to find another job?

scarygreengiant38457.6506944444

SCARYGREEN GIANT,

I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTRATION. MY SON HAS LOST A COUPLE JOBS ALREADY CAUSE THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND HIS SPECIAL NEEDS. HANG IN THERE. ARE YOU UP FRONT WITH THEM ABOUT YOUR CONDITION? THAT MIGHT HELP SOME. GOOD LUCK