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Original poster

Careers for a quirky boy who always wins board games

47 replies

Biscuitsneeded · 13/02/2023 22:27

I don't know what to do with my DS2. He's just 16, supposedly able to get 7s and 8s at GCSE but is going to get 4s and 5s if he's lucky. He definitely has a degree of ADHD and finds concentrating in lessons very hard. Claims to like history, biology, maths etc but doesn't understand how to revise or what exam papers want from him. He's always been just a little off-beam. However, the boy can beat anyone at Chess. Even the absolute boffins who are going to get all 9s at GCSE can't beat him. He has never lost a game of Monopoly, always wins Catan, and only my brother can beat him at poker. He can also remember random sequences of numbers, lyrics from songs he's only heard once, and can quote entire films verbatim. He's also very, very sharp in his humour. As I said, he is going to get very average GCSEs, but he has a quirky intelligence and I wonder what sort of careers might be good for a slightly left-field, strategic mind like his that won't require amazing GCSEs/A levels. All thoughts gratefully received.

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 13/02/2023 22:30

Project management. Analysis. Law. Accountancy. Programming. Construction.

As long as he gets passes at GCSE, he can go on to study something that grabs him more.

DuchessDandelion · 13/02/2023 22:32

IT perhaps, software development and coding. It needs a creative brain as well as someone who understands logic

What support does he get at school? Teachers should definitely be helping him to understand how to revise and how to answer exam questions.

He might also find a military career fits him as they will channel his skills where they shine

tigerbear · 13/02/2023 22:38

Games designer!
Either board games / escape rooms / virtual / computer or interactive ‘experiences’ (look out for companies like Hidden City who specialise in these).

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

16 year olds General education
Original poster
Biscuitsneeded · 13/02/2023 22:44

He would LOVE to be a games designer, I'm sure. But isn't especially interested in IT.

I think school try to support him and get him to focus but he just really struggles. I tried to do a past paper with him the other day and I saw the issue. His brain alights on one or two words, and off he goes on a tangent, but there are so many competing thoughts in his brain that he can't sort the important ones from the distractions. It sort of explains why he can do strategic games where you have to hold a series of moves in your brain all at once, because life is like that for him all the time, but give him a straightforward task to do and he will do something mad with it because he doesn't seem to have a barometer of what is sensible and what is not.

OP posts:
Original poster
Biscuitsneeded · 13/02/2023 22:46

He has a condition which means he can't be in the forces. And he wouldn't cope with having to be smart. He often has is clothes on inside out, for example, and doesn't notice.

OP posts:
TakeNoTweetsGiveNoQuacks · 13/02/2023 22:48

Biscuitsneeded · 13/02/2023 22:44

He would LOVE to be a games designer, I'm sure. But isn't especially interested in IT.

I think school try to support him and get him to focus but he just really struggles. I tried to do a past paper with him the other day and I saw the issue. His brain alights on one or two words, and off he goes on a tangent, but there are so many competing thoughts in his brain that he can't sort the important ones from the distractions. It sort of explains why he can do strategic games where you have to hold a series of moves in your brain all at once, because life is like that for him all the time, but give him a straightforward task to do and he will do something mad with it because he doesn't seem to have a barometer of what is sensible and what is not.

This sounds a lot like my close friend who has ADHD. She did a medical degree as a mature student and is now a doctor (psychiatric). She actually didn't do very well at school but is very bright. Passed medicine with no problems at all. She said if she'd done medicine when she was younger she may have chosen a different field like a&e or paediatrics.

halesie · 13/02/2023 22:50

I was going to say coding / gaming dev too then saw you said he's not interested in IT.

Playing to his strengths, how about being a chess grand master? Could he make it, do you think? It sounds flippant but a former colleague of mine was one for years (he later became a lawyer which I think was a lot less fun for him!). And/or a chess teacher?

Mintsgreen · 13/02/2023 22:54

I’d get him diagnosed and onto medication which will help him focus in exams etc.

Puddywoodycat · 13/02/2023 22:54

Hi op it's not too late to try and help him how to learn.

It's not something dc necessarily just know or pick up.

It's not really taught, it should be and should never be assumed which is a great shame.

Can you research it and help him ASAP or get a specialist tutor in sen to assist him with the how to learn part.

Sometimes a small win can help spur on bigger gains.

AffIt · 13/02/2023 22:57

GCHQ are crying out for people like him: pattern analysis, gamification, puzzle-solving. Code-cracking isn't just about IT skills.

I think the first step is getting through the civil service entrance exam, then getting on the GCHQ fast-track.

anaa1 · 13/02/2023 22:58

How about an apprenticeship somewhere like English Heritage or the National Trust? They have lots of project work that needs strategic planning etc, and an element of practical work.

ArtichokeAardvark · 13/02/2023 23:01

Seconding GCHQ.

PermanentTemporary · 13/02/2023 23:01

Something about problem solving

I think GCHQ do apprenticeships - what about that?

PermanentTemporary · 13/02/2023 23:02

here

larchforest · 13/02/2023 23:02

He sounds exactly like the sort of person they wanted at Bletchley Park in WWII.

BornAgainViper · 13/02/2023 23:05

Also, maybe get him some other board games to expand his reasoning. There's a great site called boardgamegeek that lists loads of great boardgames that are out of the ordinary.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 13/02/2023 23:09

He could be the next Boris Johnson (I'm sorry, I know that can't be easy to hear).

Dotcheck · 13/02/2023 23:12

AffIt · 13/02/2023 22:57

GCHQ are crying out for people like him: pattern analysis, gamification, puzzle-solving. Code-cracking isn't just about IT skills.

I think the first step is getting through the civil service entrance exam, then getting on the GCHQ fast-track.

They offer apprenticeships too

Hazelnup · 13/02/2023 23:14

Litigation lawyer.

GCHQ.

I know someone with ADHD who does very well in construction because its project based and when one project gets to him he can switch to another.

SweetSakura · 13/02/2023 23:18

I know quite a few people like this (perhaps because I love strategy based board games!)

Some I know who have found career niches where they are happy and valued and can be themselves

  • something in an investment bank (sorry, vague, but I think some sort of analyst)
  • military analyst
  • scientist
  • ecologist

Obviously I think there's a sense of finding the right employer who "gets" you but if you do then that kind of analytical strategic brain power can be hugely valued.

EnglishRose1320 · 13/02/2023 23:19

My ds only got average results for his GSCE's partly due to illness meaning he missed years of his education, but also due to his neurodiversity making it really hard for him to focus in exams.

He wanted to do A levels and luckily the school have let him try. Only having 3 subjects and those being ones he is in to, is making all the difference. I'm still not expecting top grades, but he looks like he is on track to pass with respectable grades. He is also becoming more aware of his limitations/differences but also his strengths, of which there are many.

He has decided himself that he will need to do a foundation degree in his area of interest before an undergraduate one, to help make up the gap from his GCSE results. However he is fairly confident that when he is just studying one subject and one he is very interested, he will improve even more.

He is currently waiting to see if CAMHS will accept him for a ADHD assessment, which along with his other neurodiverisites would explain the issues around focus. He's not expecting a miracle cure, but if they can help with focus even a little bit, it would be a massive benefit.

I think what I'm trying to say in my waffly way, is don't rule out things because of his results. My son is so bright, he just has to find his own path and your ds will as well. Try not to worry too soon.

Sorry if this isn't at all helpful. I just feel your ds will need to work out his own path and career and that in itself will help his focus.

HyacinthineMacaw · 13/02/2023 23:21

AffIt · 13/02/2023 22:57

GCHQ are crying out for people like him: pattern analysis, gamification, puzzle-solving. Code-cracking isn't just about IT skills.

I think the first step is getting through the civil service entrance exam, then getting on the GCHQ fast-track.

This is what I came to say. I believe they might even take apprentices now, but I could be imagining that.

Thesystemonlydreamsintotaldarkness · 13/02/2023 23:21

echoing others: I’m sure that M15/ M16 are looking for people with these sorts of skills

also, definately investment banking/trading

Underminer · 13/02/2023 23:21

My son is very similar, no ADHD diagnosis but he does have ASD. Bright but failed all but one of his GCSEs. By failed I mean he got 3s and 2s.
He is a super recogniser, memory is amazing, he just cannot pass exams. Can’t show working out to get extra points etc.
When he passes his resits we are looking at GCHQ or cyber security due to his ability to analyse complex patterns etc

Alterntively, any interest in sports analysis, working with elite athletes to analyse their and their opponents weaknesses and strength in performing?

KnickerlessParsons · 13/02/2023 23:29

People make a living out of playing poker. Victoria Coren being one.

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