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Jobs for people with ADHD

44 replies

Mimiandme · 11/12/2022 23:08

Hi šŸ‘‹!

I seem to really struggle with work and I wondered, are there jobs that are ideally suited for those with ADHD? I’m curious to know what jobs others have that also have ADHD? Thanks for your help :-)

OP posts:
Heavyraindropsarefallingonmyhead · 11/12/2022 23:15

How is it you struggle specifically?

For example I struggle with procrastination, loosing interest quickly, getting distracted easily and timekeeping/time management

So I usually volunteer for anything going that's above and beyond. Means I can't procrastinate because I have multiple deadlines, I don't get bored because I have a more varied workload, the timekeeping thing I'm still working on and easily distracted his helped by working from home in silence so there is less to distract me.

On the plus side this usually makes me look enthusiastic to my managers, so they tend to overlook my mistakes or messing up timekeeping because they assume its because I'm really busy or I was prioritising a different project.

I work in tech, but I've also done retail, customer service and admin along with a few other more random jobs. I think i do job hop a bit more than most because when I've learnt all I can I get bored and start looking for a new challenge. luckily now I'm in tech that's more normal.

GetOffTheRoof · 11/12/2022 23:19

Hard to say - DH has ADHD and excelled in the Royal Navy. His 3 brothers also have it and one is a car mechanic, one a welder and car mechanic and another a carpenter. None of them have gone to college etc, all learned on the job as it were. DH only got his maths and English GCSE equivalencies in his 40s because he hates formalised education unless it's highly specific to his work and he has a way to put it into practice rather than sit behind a desk.

SantaOnFanta · 11/12/2022 23:20

Go self employed? I struggled in an office with multiple interruptions from junior staff every day. Now I have my own office at home and no interruptions.

moofolk · 11/12/2022 23:21

Hairdressing / barbering

isitdoinasnow · 11/12/2022 23:28

I'm keen to know too. I've had so many jobs and want to just settle into something but it requires study and I still struggle with that.

Itsoktogiveup · 12/12/2022 00:10

I know a builder who manages several sites, whenever he gets bored of one he’s off to another, he’s making decent money, lives in a big house mostly built by his employees and is happy.

chickywick6 · 12/12/2022 00:13

Key with ADHD is loving what you do if you are interested you will probably be able to use hyper focus to your advantage and excel. Figure that out and you'll be fine.

OddshoesOddsocks · 12/12/2022 01:20

I’m a bar maid in a village social club. It’s on the go and constant but quiet enough that I’ve got time to process.

As long as I’ve got my tick list for closing I’m good!

BumbleShyBee · 12/12/2022 01:26

My DH has ADHD and is a partner of a law firm. He needs the intellectual challenge to maintain hyper focus. Having an EA helps with all the boring admin stuff that he would otherwise avoid / procrastinate about. Like another poster suggested, I think the stressful deadlines are helpful for keeping him on track.

Youdoyoubabe · 12/12/2022 01:48

Oooh, party planner, project manager, pa, also almost anything practical.

chappysays · 12/12/2022 01:52

Youdoyoubabe · 12/12/2022 01:48

Oooh, party planner, project manager, pa, also almost anything practical.

PA?! Required great time management and the ability to do a lot of complex tasks that aren't just a one or two step thing

You need to be able to organise things really well and stay on track. Something most people with ADHD struggle with

I spent years as a (terrible) PA Blush

MerryMarigold · 12/12/2022 01:53

I work with young children. It's so varied and you get to play all day! My concentration span is not as long as a 2 year old's though, so I have to force myself to engage in an activity sometimes!

fallfallfall · 12/12/2022 02:29

my mom was a hairdresser, my oldest is the IT manager for a school district, my youngest is a red seal instrumentation mechanic. my oldest needed drugs to finish his uni courses and it took him 8 years to complete a 4 year degree but he got her done ;), youngest did his program part time and took 4 years to complete a 2 year program. son in law, does land development (needs a huge challenge to hyper focus).

Mimiandme · 12/12/2022 18:57

I work from home at the moment and I find that doesn’t help and although the pandemic has meant that I’ve been working from home for almost 3 years, I have this worry that I won’t be able to cope when I’m back in the office. I went back in the office last week just for 1 day and I found it so difficult. I couldn’t get any work done, I had an awful headache and everything was really full on. I do need to find something that I am passionate about. I love the idea of working for myself but I wouldn’t even know where to start. I am good with people (so I’m told) but I find it hard, I put everything into it. I do mask how I really am and how I am feeling. I do have a law degree, I graduated close to 10 years ago, I just never had the confidence to use it. I suffer very badly with anxiety. I just feel a at a bit of dead end. I need a job where I can work from home ideally and one where it fits around my toddler / nursery etc. I also live with an emergency services worker who works shifts so I feel like I’m on my own 90% of the time. I work 3 days a week and 9 hour days, I just find it a lot, I’m miserable by time I finish. It’s every day but I feel trapped, I can’t leave as I need my job. It’s a catch 22 sometimes …

OP posts:
CurlyTop1980 · 13/12/2022 20:26

I've worked with a few social workers with ADHd and they seem to struggle with predicting or mananging any probability of risks. They all state practical work with short tasks seem to suit them better.

BertieBotts · 13/12/2022 20:39

My favourite job ever was retail. I've worked in three different shops and loved it every time. You need to have at least a slight interest in the product being sold, but that was perfect to me because i had an excuse to find out everything about the new models and explain them to customers. Helping people figure out which one they want out of several options was the best part to me. And there's always something to do so you don't get bored. There are usually set procedures for closing up etc and when you go home you can completely switch off.

Downsides are the pay is crap and there's basically no progression, contracts can be shit and if management is poor, which is common then you'll constantly be getting guilt tripped to work extra hours or shifts.

Graphic design was also fun but you have to train to do it, you can't just start from nothing.

I have taught English abroad, loved that too but I was often flying by the seat of my pants and struggled with the lesson planning. I got into a system with it eventually though.

Interestingly a lot of people with ADHD are emergency workers. I met a gynaecologist at the hospital where I had DS2 who told me she also had ADHD and relished the unpredictable, urgent nature of maternity care. My other friend who probably has ADHD used to work in an ICU. Along these lines I've thought about applying for an emergency call handler job if we come back to the UK. I'm good in a crisis and I think it would be good to be the person getting somebody help and knowing what to do. I don't think I could actually cope with front line danger though so police/ambulance/fire service probably not for me, but those are good jobs to train for if you think you'd enjoy it.

I think the thing I like best is finding out answers and then helping people process that information into a form that works for them.

belowfrozen · 13/12/2022 23:46

Interest

belowfrozen · 13/12/2022 23:49

Interesting jobs
Often practical jobs.
Varied jobs.
Over the years I've learnt to do the boring bits. Bit by bit. It's hard.
I worry my DD fancies careers that her adhd will make very hard

ScruffGin · 14/12/2022 14:43

I'm an ED doctor, suits me well!

xhelper · 14/12/2022 14:49

ScruffGin · 14/12/2022 14:43

I'm an ED doctor, suits me well!

How did you manage all that studying with ADHD? If you don't mind me asking Blush

Rosalindisafuckingnightmare · 14/12/2022 14:53

Also came on to say it seems surprisingly common in A&E doctors. And comedians.

LemonLymanDotCom · 14/12/2022 17:35

chickywick6 · 12/12/2022 00:13

Key with ADHD is loving what you do if you are interested you will probably be able to use hyper focus to your advantage and excel. Figure that out and you'll be fine.

Exactly this. I've been fortunate to work in the field I've always wanted to, and have struggled with some things, excelled with others. I am now a Sales Director, so quite senior within a small company, however it was only this year that I got a an ADHD diagnosis, 23 years into my career. So I don't think it's about which industries and careers are best for people with ADHD, it's doing something you love and learning how to channel your strengths, and find coping mechanisms to manage those tasks you struggle with.

Racingadmin · 14/12/2022 17:41

Dd is loving being an accountancy trainee .

Says it's like solving puzzles when doing complicated reconciliations. She likes the logic and that there is a definite right and wrong answer .

That said she has to listen to music on headphones at the same time and her boss sends her on errands every couple of hours otherwise she starts fidgeting / twitching or incessantly talking

FreyaHazel · 14/12/2022 19:21

I'm a paramedic.

Shift work suits me well, always on the go and never know what each day is going to bring. It's also very interesting and I find the pressure of needing to be as up to date and clinically competent as possible for the sake of my patients is a good motivator to read, learn and research. I absolutely love my job. Smile

Newusernameaug · 14/12/2022 19:31

I’m currently studying art and can see this will be a great career for me as I can get totally lost and obsessed in it!