I have been doing a lot of Internet research in regard to ADD Friendly Jobs. Mostly looking for coping strategies relating to job boredom. You are probably getting tired of my posts by now as they all have to do with my on the job boredom. Any advice that I do find is so generic. For example one site suggested, “Finding a job with stimulating responsibilities and minimal routine tasks”. OK, on what planet? I need a list. I’m left wondering what jobs fall into this category. When I try to imagine a job that has stimulating responsibilities I come up blank. Stimulating responsibilities? I don’t have a clue. What I’d really like is to not have ADD. But that’s not going to happen. It stinks quitting one job after another because of boredom. Feeling like a failure. Feeling helpless and hopeless. Letting people down. I don’t know many “normal” people who really like their jobs. But I am envious of their ability to cope. Stimulating responsibilities and minimal routine tasks. That’s a good one.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

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EBJ

Hi EBJ:

I, too, am interested in finding job information about possible employment opportunities for ADD/ADHDers.

I have just begun my research. I will post any information I find.

My current job is in a state of flux directly related to my ADD.

I just had another thought (surprise) -- what are the qualities of a survivor because ADD/ADHDers have to strong to survive?

Boredom--is it really boredom you are fighting? My reason for asking is that I find having ADHD such a struggle that I am not often bored.

Plus, as we grow older, we are less easily amused or enthused.

Take it easy, Ann

Restaraunt and Hotel jobs are very stimulating. No two days are the same.

Working with kids is very stimulating.

A lot of the linux system administrators where i work are add/adhd. The job requires the ability to think outside the box and the ability to multitask. In fact, I'd say that NT's have a harder time dong the job. Plus, having a collection of leather jackets and black T-shirts is helpful...

Me :D

I was at Corning a couple of years ago as a cad drafter. They gave me a project to design an apparatus to hold a glass disk in place in a vacuum chamber. They were afraid that they were asking too much from me considering my background and lack of education. They wanted a complicated fixture designed. Instead I designed a small metal clip that would be snapped onto the glass in three places to hold it into position. I had a ball doing it. My boss said that he would come back in a couple of days to see how I was doing. I went to him after 45 minutes with a three-dimensional drawing of my design. I impressed the **** out of him. I used to love that stuff. One time I did a drawing of a mechanical part with the solid model view, and all the orthogonal views with all the dimensions and detailing in 35 minutes. There were two drafters in the department, me and another guy. After I came along I received all the work and he just sat there teaching himself another cad program. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

My ADD is all or nothing. If I'm interested I excel. I tear through projects. I get a feeling of exhilaration. But lately nothing interests me. I could care less. I lost something after I turned 50. I just go through the motions. And I am so BORED.<o:p></o:p>

I’d love to get my drive back. I’m stuck in a rut.<o:p></o:p>

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You may need spomething new to get excited about.

I am 52 and still get excited. I can recall times when I was NOT so excited. I always find a way to rebound.


Me :D

I know one ADDer who quit a very good job to become a long distance trucker. He loves it.

I was in retail for years and had a lot of success; luckily I was young when I had to go through the entry level stuff.
The constant interruptions and distractions supercharged me and I was always able to juggle half a million things. I’d get so “in the zone” I’d always be moving forward.


This was pre-diagnoses and before I started Adderall. I don’t think I could do it on medication; my brain just can’t switch gears like that anymore.

I don't know if these ideas help anyone else, but recently I did a brainstorm of "jobs that might not suck too bad" which I reposted here: http://www.fthisjob.com/node/1251


poker pro
gaming industry (dealer, floorperson, middle management, ???)
project mgmt
software trainer, preferably contractor
non-profit consultant
software professional, but only well-run "Agile" projects
software usability expert
full time ministry
sociological research, somewhere like Barna (http://barna.org/)
truck driver
marketing analyst of some sort
IT work somewhere like Hot Topic
career counselor
school guidance counselor
Libertarian politician/analyst/activist/commentator


I'd appreciate any feedback if any of these seem particularly good or bad for an ADD person. I can't promise all of them are 100% serious, but none of them is 0% serious either.

I think the best job for ADD/ADHD or for anyone for that matter.

Is finding something you really like doing and where you are happy as a person...Pretty much using your passions to make you own work, or find work that is for you..

I know i wanted to be a nurse's aide, i went back to class, got work for 3 yrs and got fed up of it...

I did the same thing for a lot of other work. I accept now that i will probably wont ever have one job for life, unless i find something where something new will come up pretty often with no routine.

I don't know if these ideas help anyone else, but recently I did a brainstorm of "jobs that might not suck too bad" which I reposted here: http://www.fthisjob.com/node/1251


poker pro
gaming industry (dealer, floorperson, middle management, ???)
project mgmt
software trainer, preferably contractor
non-profit consultant
software professional, but only well-run "Agile" projects
software usability expert
full time ministry
sociological research, somewhere like Barna (http://barna.org/)
truck driver
marketing analyst of some sort
IT work somewhere like Hot Topic
career counselor
school guidance counselor
Libertarian politician/analyst/activist/commentator

I'd appreciate any feedback if any of these seem particularly good or bad for an ADD person. I can't promise all of them are 100% serious, but none of them is 0% serious either.
Actually, I think Politician is the best job for ADD. You dont even have to remember what you said in your campaign speeches because nobody is going to hold you to your promises. Of course this would work best if you are a republican I would guess. I find working on the campaigns best of all because there is ALWAYS something different to do. You get bored with one job, you find something more interesting to you at that given point in time. Lots of hussling and bussling, talking and walking, ripping and running.
Most ADDers I know tend to have thin skins though, so to be a politician you'd have to get over that....
Just a thought

TV Meteorologist is a good one too.

You never have to be right, just tell a good story with lots of pretty pictures and catchy animations.

with me, it is the day in day out stuff, and like the routine of a job seems so monotonous, its like rubbing your hand in the same place-how do you get over that-it just is the worst thing-guess I need a lot going on but I can't handle that either-that is why I can't find a job I like cause I'm too inconsistent with what works and what doesnt? confused in IL

I don't know if these ideas help anyone else, but recently I did a brainstorm of "jobs that might not suck too bad" which I reposted here: http://www.fthisjob.com/node/1251

poker pro
gaming industry (dealer, floorperson, middle management, ???)
project mgmt
software trainer, preferably contractor
non-profit consultant
software professional, but only well-run "Agile" projects
software usability expert
full time ministry
sociological research, somewhere like Barna (http://barna.org/)
truck driver
marketing analyst of some sort
IT work somewhere like Hot Topic
career counselor
school guidance counselor
Libertarian politician/analyst/activist/commentator
I'd appreciate any feedback if any of these seem particularly good or bad for an ADD person. I can't promise all of them are 100% serious, but none of them is 0% serious either.
I fully agree with this list. Most of them are jobs I considered in the past. I'm a software developer and I left my job in hope to find another one better organized. We didn't have any clear objective and we had 3-4 projects running at the same time we no priorities...

I plan to become a job recruiter specialized in Computer science someday. I think it's a good ADD job.

My major jobs have been personal training...great job in the sense that I get to be w/ a bunch of different people all the time, and while we're always training...it's different enough to keep me interested. Plus, there's always lots of activity in the gym to watch. Two downfalls to this for me...all that activity was distracting :p ...as much as I enjoyed it...my eyes never missed a thing. And the studying/continuing education was always a chore, reading boring anatomy texts and all the scientific stuff was really hard for me to concetrate on. But as a whole, I enjoyed that a lot.

I have worked in an office in a call centre type setting. This was brutal. Like stab me in the eye just to stimulate my brain kind of brutal. It was also a negative situation to be in...w/ nasty people yelling at you...not exactly the best environment for someone w/ depression and ADD:eek:

And I have been a painter...as in interior/exterior homes...not artist painting pictures. This to me is my ideal job. It is so satisfying. And while the basic application of paint never changes...my environment changes weekly as I go to different job sites, the people I meet change just as frequently, the colours I work w/, the actual walls and architecture I work on changes...while painting, I get to listen to music and get lost in my thoughts for 8 hrs a day. It's like when I was sitting in the office daydreaming ...only I don't get in trouble for it here...I can do it all day long. You don't have to think about painting...you just do it...so your thoughts are free to roam. And the fact that you must cut a straight line and make it look professional adds just enough "perfectionism" to keep me happy. My absolute best part of each job is cutting a straight line along the trim. Perfection :D I love painting :D

Good reply

I used to have the ability to let my mind wander. I could sit at a metal stamping press banging out the same part over and over 8 hours a day. In my head I was some where else. Then something changed. I would give anything to go back to the way I was.

EBJ

I think the best job for ADD/ADHD or for anyone for that matter.

Is finding something you really like doing and where you are happy as a person...Pretty much using your passions to make you own work, or find work that is for you..

I know i wanted to be a nurse's aide, i went back to class, got work for 3 yrs and got fed up of it...

I did the same thing for a lot of other work. I accept now that i will probably wont ever have one job for life, unless i find something where something new will come up pretty often with no routine.

In addition to considering environmental issues (distractions, etc), or finding ways to cope with them.

My first lov was computer science but I couldn't possible handle sitting at a desk for eight hours. I went with my second lov...children. I am an exceptional education teacher, and it's a great job! The only problem I seem to have is being told I am not a team player :( I help with I am not excepted too.

I was a mechanical designer too. Loved it for the most part. It did get a little boring sitting there indoors and little human interaction.

My problem now is, of that list I posted above, I want to do 3 or 4 at once!!! :-D That's so typical me -- I go from being down because of my perceived lack of viable options to wanting to explore all of them.

Regarding one of the items on there, at a poker table in Atlantic City the other day I asked the dealer (who seemed chatty and possibly ADD) if she thought her job would be good for someone who's ADD. Suprisingly she said no -- she volunteered that she has some kind of drops she puts in her morning drink that help her remember things, but that in general she finds her job tough because of the details to remember. But memory is a strong point of mine, especially when I'm motivated. I'm actually thinking that would be a fun job, but part of me feels like I need to be more "responsible", and I really do like the guidance counseling idea too at present.

Right now I work for a temp nursing service and am working mainly with mentally handicapped and autistic children in an institutional setting. I honestly can't believe I am getting paid to do this job!!!!! Its fun and definatly a learning experiance that will go far in my nursing career once I graduate.

It doesn't hurt that the pace is always changing, the kids are fast so the hours fly by.

I work as an interpreter (Japanese & English). It's perfect in that a high level of concentration is required to do the actual interpreting, it requires immediate response so forces me to focus, and every single job is different, so there's the fun (for me, dork that I am) of studying and preparing for each meeting, remembering new words, and practicing.

Down side? I have 6 months' worth of business trip expenses because after 2 years here I still can't figure out the farking computer expense report programs. I can't find any of my files because I have no filing skills.

My biggest grief is that I want to study more to increase my knowledge base, but without the spectre of a big job looming, I have no motivation to study. Bummer!

I have a job similar to herekittykitty's -- I am a Japanese to English translator. Some good points:


No bosses (freelance)
No underlings (ditto)
Set own schedule
Get to pick and choose work/clients
Get paid for work done, not for time clocked
Lots of freedom as to where you can live
Cons:


Set own schedule :)
Lack of routine
Anxiety about whether work will (continue to) come in
However, being a translator/interpreter is hard to just jump into, because you've got to have a lot of skills up front that take years to develop...

The other career I think is suited to me is computer programming, but I would have trouble in the corporate slog. However, many software houses are very ADD-friendly.

I have a book "Rapid Development" that talks about handling programmers, and it pretty much assumes a lot of ADD features. For instance, the author recommends getting programmers to "sign on" (get them interested/fired up), and assuming that a time estimate given to you by a programmer is overly optimistic :)

Uminchu,

What kind skills do I need to start in the computer field?

Do I need to be talented with computers?

Because I don't know if I am, most likely not, or maybe don't know if I am.

But, is everyone able to learn and be successful in this field?

Or you have to born with that talented?

What would be the best first step?

Certificate?

Tech School?

College?


Thank you !!!

Brazil,

Without stealing Uminchu's thunder, I can give you a couple of observations from several years in IT doing software testing. In general technical fields tend to be very merit-oriented; in other words, they don't care nearly as much about what degrees you possess as your proven ability to get the job done. That said, your big obstacle starting out (like any industry) is going to be a track record of success.

I don't have any tried-and-true ways to overcome this barrier, but I do have some ideas. For what it's worth I was lucky to join a company that hired people directly out of college into tech support/training roles, then I migrated into testing over time. If you don't mind phone work, you might be able to get in the door in a similar kind of role -- especially since my inference is that you're a native Portuguese speaker and this skill will be really valuable. Try searching dice.com for "Portuguese".

If you want to judge whether you even enjoy this kind of work -- and I don't recommend pursuing it if you don't -- try installing some free software that lets you do script development, and see if you enjoy learning how to use it. For example, Python has a great page at http://www.python.org that has downloads, tutorials, etc. I find Python a fun and useful language, and it's all free -- you can find thousands of pieces of sample code to hack around with. If this seems overwhelming, that's OK because you can learn step by step. But if learning about all this doesn't seem interesting, then IT/development might not be for you.

Anyway, those are just some thoughts. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

CynicallyNaive,


Thank you so much!!!!

I am going check that!!!!!

The computer/IT field can be both ADD friendly and unfriendly. Right now I'm in a very unfriendly job. I've had others that were wonderful. True to form, I keep procrastinating on finding another job.

What you often need for this type of work is good diagnostic skills, intuition, firm grasp of logic. Creativity and outside the box thinking also come in handy.

For me what I don't like is you often work with complex software packages, and when trying to solve problem A, you encounter problem B, which creates a diversion. On your way to fix problem B, you run into problem C. While tackling problem C, problem D crops up, etc. By this point you've probably forgotton what problem A and B were. I've had this happen way too frequently in the past couple of years, and it has really killed my enthusiasm for this type of work. Now when I approach something new, I always worry about cascading problems like that, and it causes me to procrastinate on starting them.

For me what I don't like is you often work with complex software packages, and when trying to solve problem A, you encounter problem B, which creates a diversion. On your way to fix problem B, you run into problem C. While tackling problem C, problem D crops up, etc. By this point you've probably forgotton what problem A and B were. I've had this happen way too frequently in the past couple of years, and it has really killed my enthusiasm for this type of work. Now when I approach something new, I always worry about cascading problems like that, and it causes me to procrastinate on starting them.
I hear you. I sell software as a side business, and making development milestones (even ones I had set for myself) can be a real issue.

One thing I have found very useful is to clearly distinguish development from research. To take your example, using a new software package would fall into the research area, while implementing some feature that you are already familiar with would be development. At a month out from a scheduled release, any research is pushed back until after the next release. If that means a feature doesn't get implemented, so be it.

I also use a lot of agile development practices, and that helps with my problems in planning, getting lost in my work, etc. I swear, the extreme programming (XP) movement must have been created by a bunch of ADDers. :)

What kind skills do I need to start in the computer field?

Do I need to be talented with computers?
In addition to the great advice by CynicallyNaive, if you have Microsoft Word I would recommend trying to write some macros for it. You can get something useful very quickly, and the linear programming style is easy for novices to pick up.

If you like that, I would recommend taking some classes at your local community college. If you find that you like it, just go where it takes you.

For getting a job, a university degree is usually preferred, but skills will pull you through most times.

I'm a paramedic, its incredibly stimulating, and no two calls are ever the same. EMS as a whole also has a very high rate of those that have ADD/ADHD in the field because of the nature of the job. Those with ADD/ADHD do well in fields that require them to work well under pressure, if you think about the nuerological aspects of ADD/ADHD it makes sense as to why you work well under pressure (the ADDer first must learn how to handle stress, after that though, the ADDer can hyperfocus in a stressful situation whereas someone without ADD may not be able to nearly as well).

I also used to be a cook in a professional kitchen, this is also a great job for an ADDer as long as they can learn to deal with the stress properly, you can excel in a face paced kitchen, preferably working on a line, not doing prep work.

I think the best job for ADD/ADHD or for anyone for that matter.

Is finding something you really like doing and where you are happy as a person...Pretty much using your passions to make you own work, or find work that is for you..

I know i wanted to be a nurse's aide, i went back to class, got work for 3 yrs and got fed up of it...

I did the same thing for a lot of other work. I accept now that i will probably wont ever have one job for life, unless i find something where something new will come up pretty often with no routine.
I've gone through many jobs myself, including several different majors in college. Now I am a CNA, which has nothing to do with anything I've done or studied. I love this job. It does have routine which can become boring and tedious but there is never a dull moment, you never know what the residents will do or say. The routine is actually a bit comforting because I know what I need to do and usually don't find it to be overwhelming. I do take adderall and welbutrin which helps me to stay focused and be more allert than without it. I can't imagine going to work without the meds! I've done it and it was complete chaos!

I'm a CNA/MA and returning to nursing school. I'm a little nervous but I just want more and to be frank I am tired of informing charge nurses that a residents condition has changed and then nothing being done about it, half the time they don't even check on them. Makes me mad.

I'm a CNA/MA and returning to nursing school. I'm a little nervous but I just want more and to be frank I am tired of informing charge nurses that a residents condition has changed and then nothing being done about it, half the time they don't even check on them. Makes me mad.
yeah I understand, that can be frustrating

I know going back to nursing school can be scary, but it can also be very exciting, I mean if it's your dream then you're on the way to making it a reality and helping people along the way!!! So I say way to go and good luck in school, you can do it!

I am a little nervous but am lucky enough to be going back to school with my eldest sister. lol

After raising 5 boys she is like a drill sargeant and will probably do me a lot of good.

I think I flunked out my first time around because I honestly had no concept of FUTURE at 19 you pretty much live for today. I've done everything I can think of to ensure success this time around, I started meds today, made sure my husband was behind me 100%, my kids are willing to take on more responsibility and I don't know I feel like its TIME lol really not sure how to put it.

Hey if you need any suggestions or help with study or test taking techniques, I've got a few.

I flunked my first time around in college, and then came back, brought my GPA up from a mere decimal to the dean's list, and all at a much more academically rigorous institution than I had initially flunked out of.
I am now currently part time adjunct faculty and teach EMS courses at a few local universities and colleges. I have also tutored a few EMT and paramedic students with learning disabilities. So if you need anything let me know. :)

Thanks Andi and I just noticed your from Omaha lol

I'm from the Kearney county area myself.

I think I have everything I need right now. I'm keeping it simple just Algebra (my scores were high enough on the COMPASS test to go without but I wanted to really freshen up before I hit Chem). And A&P I and lab which honestly does have me really nervous but I noticed today I can make some sense out of the chapters where a few days ago I couldn't even make it thru two paragraphs. I'm hoping the meds will really help as I've never been on medication for ADD before if I can just get past the nausea (which is strange in itself because I'm not feeling ill until I try to eat).

Have you tried taking the medicine with food? I found that taking it with food not only helped with the nausea, but it also effects the absorption rate of the medicine, usually, it helps the medicine to absorb better.
Sorry if I'm talking too much, one more tip, and then I'll be quiet, when I was going through school I found it helpful to know when I was going to hit my peak effects with my Adderall, that way if I had a big test that day or something important I knew that I should take it about 1.5 hrs. before hand (my peak effects are at about an 1.5 hrs for Adderall-XR 25mgs), you also may want to make sure you know how long you will feel the effects of the med, if you'll be up studying late (initially I only took it once a day, and it only lasted eight hours, and when you need to be up studing or focusing from 0730-2330, that doesn't cut it, so my psychiatrist changed my dosing a little)
-Ok one more tip I promise, and thats it, I have found green tea (make sure its caffinated) to be one of the best focusing tools especially when you need to be up late, it doesn't make you jittery like coffee and it has lots 'o' antioxidents in it

I just get so excited when people that have been frustrated with school previously, decide to go back, b/c I know how it feels, I guess.

I did take it with toast but am wondering if I don't need to add a little protein such as peanut butter. I took the advice of another member who sets her alarm an hour early so she can take her med and go back to sleep. I did bounce right out of bed, ready to attack the world when it generally takes me two hours to hit the shower. I was also started on Mirapex .125 mgs at bedtime due to restless legs syndrome and I cannot believe how great I felt this morning my joints didn't hurt, I didn't stumble around the house knocking small children and appliances over. I'll have to look that med up because I took it on an empty stomach and am wondering if what I am feeling today isn't a little left over from that med as it made me kind of nauseas as well. I'll try taking it with a protein snack tonight or milk and see if I don't have any improvements.


Are you kidding me? I love talkers, I'm a talker, rambler myself so please don't appologize or I'll feel the need to start appologizing. lol

I read this and jumped over to the Strattera section and started a journal before posting back to you so I can keep track of things. I'm used to forgetting pretty quickly. lol

I take 3 10mgs tabs 1x a day but do have a PRN for Monday's since I have a late A&P and lab after. I was going to stick with 30mgs a day for a couple of days and then try the PRN just to see what the negative and positive effects are.

Usually by this time of day I have drank a six pack of 24 oz Mountain Dew bottles but I've only had 1 1/2 so far. And I can only take about 3 puffs before I start gagging on my ciggarrette I am NOT in any way shape or form complaining about those effects. I honestly hope that side effect is long lasting. lol

I've never tried green tea though I have read many wonderful things about it. I suppose its just the fear of trying something new but I'll give it a go what can it hurt?

I am a little perturbed with sound issues-everything seems louder or maybe just more defined if that makes any sense. And I'm really really bored I had all my housework and weekly bills paid before 9am this morning now i'm looking around what do I do what do I do. lol I'm sure I'll get used to it.

Thanks for the advice,
Cherity

origanially posted by nucking futs Are you kidding me? I love talkers, I'm a talker, rambler myself so please don't appologize or I'll feel the need to start appologizing. lol



LMBO,this must be a adder thing cause I am very bad about this!!!

It could be that is probably why we are good at jobs that deal with large numbers of people we have to converse with. Except of course scripted conversations such as telemarketing, etc I hate those conversations.

If you decide to go into Information Technology. Pls. let me know. I working on a campaign to help you and would love to address your needs or concerns.

Ok no one gets to go oh you're one of those now! Keeping in mind someone has to do it!

I had the same problems most of you had.
When I went back to work after my last child was old enough,
I took it because it paid well.

Well I love it!
6 years later and now I'm a supervisor.
So where do I work,
At a creditor's rights law firm.
I'm a legal recovery supervisor.
There are some tasks that are repetitive (sp), but for the most part,
I am able to multi-task one day, hyper focus others.
Talk to a lot of people, or not at all.
So for me it's never the same thing , day in and day out.
The hardest thing for me is getting up and getting to work everyday!
That's the grind.

Just my 2 cents

Pro snowboarder/skier/skater/mountainbiker/surfer/wakeboarder/whatever.

Best job in the world. Paid to: travel, train for/participate in high energy, demanding, somewhat dangerous, and exciting sports, all while promoting and testing specific gear from different companies, as well as meeting and engaging with other people. And you're in a certain public's (not the mainstream) eye, so you get to say "Ya, I'm famous in Whistler/Japan/Mammoth/colorado/cali/bali/the alps/whereever". EGO BOOST!

The side benefits are rad too. You'll get to write for magazines, have a shot a creating art for graphics or just for the sake of art (a lot of pros cross over into art/music later on..DJs, photographers, painters, whatever), and you get to apply creative problem solving to design issues (How can we make the venting on this jacket better?...for example).

Pay isn't bad either. The average pro snowboarder makes probably around 50 grand a year, with paid expenses on top of that. For what? Basically, to snowboard, look cool, travel, play, party, and be a public face/walking billboard for companies.

Best ADHD job EVER.

The only problem is that you've gotta be damn good and sacrifice nearly everything in order to have a shot at getting there....And knee surgery isn't fun once you've hit your third or fourth.

Public Relations professionals would seemingly be a good ADHD job as well. Especially crisis relations/management. High stress, intense, very on/off, irregular, fun, completely unpredictable, did I say intense?

I did software for a summer, it wasn't bad either, but the intensity and irregularity weren't there for me.

I recently graduated from a culinary arts program and I find out of all the things Ive done in my life as an employee, becoming a chef was my best choice. I have adhd and working as a chef is very stimulating and not so boring.

I was happiest and most successful when I was troubleshooting electronic systems at remote locations. I like the adventure of travel, and a highly focused task at the destination.

Hi all,
I havn't read all the posts, but here is what I think:
The idea of ADD friendly jobs is a myth.
Isn't it true that us ADDers can excel at a task that we are passionate about?
If it has meaning to you and you feel you are making a worthwhile contribution, then it will be good.

What I find are ADD friendly CHARACTERISTICS of a job are:
-supportive managers/bosses
-recognition of effort
-being told staight up where you're messing up, and realizing that we don't always know where we're messing up

...I had the most awesome boss at the pool I worked at for 5 years through university. I worked as a swimming instructor and lifeguard. I was spacey and forgetful, late a lot, but she understood that I was making efforts. She learned that I needed to be told straight out the consequences and reasons why I needed to work on punctuality.

What helped for me was to be upfront about it, be educated, toos in an explanatin including the impressive sounding phrases like: "prefrontal cortex where the executive functioning skills occur is affected by ADHD" executive functioning skills are the stuff like TIME AWARENESS. NO, IT'S NOT being late or lazy of whatever... it's the fact that THE PART OF MY BRAIN THAT FUNCTIONS AS THE INTERNAL TIMER IS MESSED UP.
It throws things like task management off, so I will need support in that.

Recognizing that prioritzing is really hard is also great. With my job, I basically had to ask what things were priority, and if I was doing something that wasn't as important, my boss would tell me.

Memory issues: Write things down. I had to constantly tell people to write things down or I would forget it. It took a few times for them to get the message, but eventually they clued in... I wouldn't get something done, they would be annoyed, and I would ask did you give me a written paper about it?

My boss was really really really good at mentioning my strong points: she said that she admired my people skills - that she had trouble knowing how to deal with people herslef; she told me that it was great that I was so dedicated about making sure my students learned a skill - I would stay after my last class for a few minutes to help a kid work on something a bit more. I often gave parents really specific feedback about how their child was doing. I wrote really detailed report cards and took my job seriously. And that was recognized by her.

What helps is to state your issues up front...
I have trouble with time awareness. this is how I have handled it.
is there anything the company can do to help me out?
I have trouble with identifying the urgency level of a task, is there anything/anyone who can help me sort through the incoming items?
I work best when I am on my feet, speak my ideas, and get frequent breaks...
would it be possible to have a lecturn so I can pace while thinking? Can I get a voice recognition function put on my computer for word processing?
I have a hard time processing audio information, if you can make sure you write things out in point form for me as supplenment when you want to discuss things that would be great. As well, if you can give me a few moments to think things through before expecting my reply that would be great.
I am a visual learner, so it helps me to write notes or draw out verbal discussion, so please don't be offended or nervous if you find me doing so. What you're saying is important and I want to understand your message.

Simply saying "I have ADHD" brings forth the image of a frazzled, hyperactive, disruptive, immature person.

Does this make sense?
You can make ANY job ADD friendly.
The important thing is COMMUNICATION and not to make apologies. You go in there with the confidence that you can deal with this, then it will work.

I recently got a new job as a youth worker. My reference was my boss from the pool. She did have to mention my difficulty with time, and the interviewers mentioned that, but my reference did empahsize that all the rest of my qualities outweighed my difficulty with time awareness.

If you have trouble getting started, maybe start off the day with some discussion with an assistant if you have one, or a co-worker's opinion.

Or work out flow chart for decision making.
David Allen, author of "getting things done" is a GREAT resource and has a good flowchart for incoming "stuff" and how to make the decision of what to do.

Also recognizing the EMOTIONAL component to getting things done helps a lot in the process. I get revved up for a stupid task like e-mailing the coordinator for my program to see if I can get exempt from a course by thinking about how much I love the field of work I'm in and how I want to do well in the class. How keeping in contact with her will help her to recognize I'm serious about doing a good job.

It's a lot of psychology and realizing HOW you think, and knowing how to say things so people don't fall into the stereotypical thinking regarding ADHD.

Let me know if you have issues, maybe I can help?

NO APOLOGIES for having it.
Would someone say, I'm sorry I have diabetes. I apologize for my lack of focus if my insulin gets too high or too low.

I'm sorry I have a hearing problem so it might take me a moment to understand what you're saying if it's loud in the room?

Hi Slowpoke,
thank you for your post! i am 43, recently diagnosed, and have had trouble with working forever. i usually don't have problems getting the job, its staying that i have trouble with because i get bored, overwhelmed, and frustrated. i have of course, never mentioned the ADD because, as i said, i just found out. i am like you in that i have to have instructions written down, i have very poor short term memory from verbal instructions, and i have felt so ashamed, stupid, and embarrassed about that so many times.
i have a HUGE fear of job interviews because i always stumble and fumble with my words, so i am an expert at practicing avoidance behavior and will go unemployed till i'm just about penniless and in crisis before i'll get the nerve to even apply. i feel so frustrated and afraid, and so overwhelmed on how to handle myself. i'm upset too, because i have spent my whole adult life wondering what in the world is wrong with me? just feeling a bit down and spacey today. anyways, i so appreciate your post. i am going to jot down the highlights and try to incorporate them.
also, do you think its appropriate to say that i have ADD during the interview? or wait till i get a job, and then mention it? see, i don't even know what to do at all. i'm depressed today about all this.
thank you,
Nita

the army.. ADD aids in awareness and I don't think anyone will call it a boring job, dangerous yes but defiantly not boring.

I am also a chef and would have to say that the industry is great for people with ADD. As with and EMS no two days are ever the same. I have tried many facets of the industry and while i have not found that "one" that is best for me I still lvoe it. Always on the go, always something new to deal with, people, questions, food to eat and so on.

Well, according to my understanding, firefighting is definitely ADD friendly. So is a lot of work in law enforcement. Same with a lot of people in the livestock industry.. A lot of people that do these jobs definitely have a lot of ADD characteristics.

I have been doing a lot of Internet research in regard to ADD Friendly Jobs. Mostly looking for coping strategies relating to job boredom. You are probably getting tired of my posts by now as they all have to do with my on the job boredom. Any advice that I do find is so generic. For example one site suggested, “Finding a job with stimulating responsibilities and minimal routine tasks”. OK, on what planet? I need a list. I’m left wondering what jobs fall into this category. When I try to imagine a job that has stimulating responsibilities I come up blank. Stimulating responsibilities? I don’t have a clue. Stimulating responsibilities and minimal routine tasks. That’s a good one.ffice:office" /><o>:p></o>:p>EBJ


LOL......I really love this board.

The longest single job (without changing positions) I ever held began when I was 20. I worked for a Limousine service transporting Flight Crews. That's all we handled.....Continental, Delta, United, American, Pan Am, Air Canada, British Air, Sabena, Lufthansa......you name it, we carried them.

Looking back on my life and knowing what I now know about myself, I understand why I stayed there for 10 years. It was the perfect job for someone who has ADD but had no clue at the time that he had ADD. It was a very stimulating job in many respects. One of those "stimulating" aspects of course would be the fact I was hanging out with flight attendants all day, every day. My entire social life during that time revolved around that lifestyle as I dated nothing but flight attendants, right until I met my ex-wife who also happened to be....(take a guess....)...yep, a Flight Attendant. You don't have to be ADD to understand the stimulating aspects of that job!

Aside from the social benefits, another ADD-Friendly aspect of the job was that I was outside. Driving is a great way to keep your mind active and stay away from the mundane. There's always something going on, something to look at, to look out for, etc. I also love to converse with people and I learned enough about their jobs that I could easily carry on conversations that would interest them. That also helped quell the ADD symptoms.

However, I DO remember when ADD would almost always kick in while I was driving. We would have to travel through a mile-long tunnel to get to and from the airport. When traffic was bad and I was just sitting in the tunnel and not moving, I would start to "zone out". No pun intended, but I would really slip into "tunnel vision" and be driving solely on reflex action. I remember countless times exiting the tunnel and not remembering the entire drive through the tunnel.....that was scary.

Anyway, there's my ADD-Friendly job......and I recommend it for any single ADD guy in their 20's....:D

I suppose "stimulating responsibilites would be like some kind of CIO...?
the worst advice I read was "to hire an assistant"
1) as if everyone was a manager in an office
2) I AM an assistant! I can't hire one, that's my job!!!

It's funny you have this topic up,I just quit my job (which I loved ) 2 weeks ago .I worked at a pharmacy and my boss new I had ADD she had no sympathy and was completely uncaring!.I was constantly striving to do my best but she pointed out all the "bad" things I was doing and the day I quit she humiliated me in front of customers and said "I was not a person when I was there I was a pharmacy associate" I sucked it up and waited on a few other costumers before I decided my job was not worth the stress and being unappreciated .I am currently looking for a new job but I keep procrastinating because I am to afraid failure.I need to go back to school and get my GED but it's a super scary thing and I tried it for a few months took the classes and learned NOTHING!.I wonder if there are teacher for people with ADD ....

It's funny you have this topic up,I just quit my job (which I loved ) 2 weeks ago .I worked at a pharmacy and my boss new I had ADD she had no sympathy and was completely uncaring!.I was constantly striving to do my best but she pointed out all the "bad" things I was doing and the day I quit she humiliated me in front of customers and said "I was not a person when I was there I was a pharmacy associate" I sucked it up and waited on a few other costumers before I decided my job was not worth the stress and being unappreciated .I am currently looking for a new job but I keep procrastinating because I am to afraid failure.I need to go back to school and get my GED but it's a super scary thing and I tried it for a few months took the classes and learned NOTHING!.I wonder if there are teacher for people with ADD ....

I'm recently laid off and 43 years old. I've struggled with feeling unappreciated my whole life. My previous job was one I had for about 2 and 1/2 years.

Thats about the normal length of time for me. Either they get tired of me or I get tired of them. (bored)

I am in college now, an older student, I am so happy I am doing something for me. I strongly encourage you to pick yourself up again and get your GED.

I've taken algebra twice and math twice and english twice. I have passed them with good grades.

Realize that things will be more difficult, go to the learning center and ask them to get you what you need to succeed. I use a DVD reader that allows me to listen while I read.

Regards

I make video games. I'm the director of a game development studio, so I get to do more or less whatever I feel like at the time - art, sound, code, game design, ect. I have my hand in everything.

Alot of people would say - 'oh, wow, you're living you're dream'..and all that. But really, I have the most severe add of anyone i've ever heard of. I get overstimulated so easily that just about anything will push me into shutdown. I can't really drive safely, and just about every routine task requires extreme effort, if I'm able to do it at all. For the past several years, I've been almost completely disabled (and without any sort of diagnosis!).

Admittedly, I've always wanted to make games for a living, but the real reason why I started was because I simply wasn't capable of doing most anything else. I went through a number of jobs were either I couldn't stay on task or I could rarely even show up for work. I wasn't 'bored', I just couldn't follow any sort of routine to save my life.

Out of pure desperation, I started up my own game studio. Everyone thought I was crazy (they weren't far off). It wasn't just a 'wow, this would be neat to do' thing, at that point I was so desperate I would do just about anything to support myself. That was about a year ago, and now it's paying dividends - the game industry is growing like crazy right now, while all the rest of the economy is going downhill.

I just got diagnosed with ADD a week ago. I just got on meds, but they're not doing anything yet. I'm working on structuring my life to be more 'add-friendly'.

Moral of the story: do what you gotta do to survive, but that may be very different what most people have to do.

I'm pretty sure I could do acting for a living. I've done community theater before and found almost every role I took on I could do.

Honestly I believe it's because I've done so many of the roles in real life jobs.

I have little fragments of memories of every job I've ever had. I feel I could write a book.

Then again sometimes I feel like a book full of knowledge sitting on a shelve. What good are books that are never read all the way through.

Many of these 'pie in the sky' dreams are only that way for NTs, and they tend to convince ADDers that it's true for them also.

It took me a while to figure that one out.

Here's an example:

Person A: Cracks jokes all the time. Has trouble sitting still.
Person B: Likes to sit in a corner and do boring stuff all day.

Job A: Standup Comedian
Job B: Office Drone

Now for person b, being an office drone is a normal job, that they could do without much effort. For person b, being a standup comedian is an unattainable dream, something they might like to do but could never pull off.

Here's the important part:
Person b tells person a, "You could never be a standup comic, why don't you just get a normal job like everyone else?"

What he really means is: "I could never be a standup comic, so I just got a normal job like everyone else."

The truth though, is that for person a, being a standup comic *is* the normal job, the one they could do without much effort. For person a, being an office drone is an unattainable dream, something they might try to do but could never really pull off.

I think that's kinda the whole point of this thread. It really wouldn't surprise me if most everyone in the entertainment industry has ADD. In fact, for many of these jobs, having ADD is almost a prerequisite.

I think it's that way with a lot of entertainers. People just assume that entertainers can do anything, that's how they got to where they are now. Truth is, many of these actors, musicians, artists and comics may be really good at what they do, but they may not be able to hold down a job at the kwik-e-mart, even if they wanted to.

My job description is basically 'come up with weird ideas all day.' That's something I do anyway,and something I've always done. In the past it has gotten me in trouble at work, now it's a requirement. I really don't think I could do my job at all if I didn't have ADD.


So I guess, just try to figure out what sort of things you do by default - the things that just 'happen', without you being told to do them. Then go find a job where these behaviors are required instead of prohibited.

My job description is basically 'come up with weird ideas all day.' That's something I do anyway,and something I've always done. In the past it has gotten me in trouble at work, now it's a requirement. I really don't think I could do my job at all if I didn't have ADD.


So I guess, just try to figure out what sort of things you do by default - the things that just 'happen', without you being told to do them. Then go find a job where these behaviors are required instead of prohibited.

Well put!

It seems like those unusual jobs would be more available then too, if most of us are all looking for that NORMAL job.

I'm going toward a Graphic design degree, plan to use it as a transitional career while I continue onto educator of Graphic Design.

Why do I feel like I have to try everything once?

It seems like those unusual jobs would be more available then too, if most of us are all looking for that NORMAL job.
Keep in mind, ADD people are a minority for a reason. Yes, the majority of jobs aren't add-friendly, but the few that are are near impossible to do if you don't have add.

I'm going toward a Graphic design degree
Make sure that you do okay in a school environment. I personally can't stand school - I never went to college and I barely made it through high school. That doesn't mean don't get an education, just make sure the way you're being taught fits the way you learn, instead of the way most people learn.

Why do I feel like I have to try everything once?
Because you have ADD....

You know,this got me thinking. No offense to whoever started this thread, but asking what jobs are add-friendly just isn't a very good question. It implies that add is strictly a disability, that add-friendly jobs are jobs that anyone could do, but that aren't quite as difficult for people with add.

What we should really be asking, is what jobs are add-required? I'm sure there's a number of jobs that you absolutely could not do unless you have add. The quick thinking and hyper awareness that come with add could prove essential to certain tasks - jobs where you constantly have to make quick, innovative decisions and expect the unexpected. The ability to clock in at exactly 9:00, sit at a desk for eight hours and clock out at exactly 5:00 can't possibly be the most sought after skill in the job market...

teoma, rephrasing the question that started this thread implies that the rest of the world has the disability! Quite frankly it's sort of a "damned if you do damned if you don't" situation as far as being PC goes. And ADD isn't a disability unless it's disabling; it's technically a disorder (which is SOO much more appropriate a word, lol!)

OK, got that grammar and usage nazism out of my system for the time being. I love jobs where I can hyperfocus in on what I'm doing, like writing and editing! Editing especially because I'm FIXING it! C:< And I fix it GOOD, better than a lot of NTers will do, because I'm NITPICKY! *superhero theme music*

I agree with a couple of the jobs mentioned above-paramedic for sure, and military too! I was both of these-a combat medic was the perfect job for me. I loved it. The military told me when and where and what to do, as well as how to do it, so there were not mistakes. And I didn't have a choice was the beautiful thing; I HAD to be there on time! It was such a boost to my self confidence. :)

The medical aspect was amazing too. You've got to go in under fire at times, drag someone twice your weight back (I was only 115 lbs then, all muscle from Basic but when someone's two hundred or more...yeah. XD It's hard!) and then decide the best course of action-which has already been told to you! And if you mess up, someone dies, so you don't mess up! :D Perfecto. I was already showing symptoms of a back injury by the time I got to training but I remember people in my platoon telling me that I was one of the smartest medics there and that I was one of the people that tried the hardest.

Another great job is writing. :) I'm loving the nonfiction stuff! I research the heck out of a subject and then rewrite it in simpler terms that everyone can understand. So my ability to 'conceptualize' is utilized and my nitpickiness with the English language is used, too. LOL, the only thing is that if I'm not feeling like writing...I can't write! Everything I write will be crap if I'm not feelin' it that day. :P So definitely not a job for someone that HAS to have a set schedule, but definitely for anyone that loves learning (usually self-teach but occasionally you can get an interview from an expert) and who's halfway decent at writing.

I'd also like to add that most of the medical field is excellent for ADDers; there's an infinite complexity to the human body, and I've noticed we ADDers tend to be more "attuned" to our patients. We tend to guess diagnosis before test results come back and in emergency situations we're just the best to have! Plus, once you have the learning material, you've got a 'dummy' right there-you can feel all those philanges, count your vertebrae, take your own BP, etc.



EDIT: All you mechanical designers-how do you get to that position? It sounds like fun! But I was never any good at logic puzzles or spacial logic, will that be a problem? Lol.