Jobs for people with ADHD

[Mimiandme]

Hi 👋!

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 :-)

@Mimiandme I've just left a wfh job to go back into an education safeguarding role. It is manic and literally non stop but I've just realised I need that otherwise I just cease to function. My previous role was the 'dream job' for a parent of a young child - wfh/term time/reasonable pay/a lot less stress so I was loathe to go but I was miserable in the end.
I need deadlines and interaction.

Teaching is where you need to be! Absolutely manic all of the time.

Reading this makes me realise I also cease to function if bored and things aren't manic & stressful & demanding

Teaching.

I am looking for a job now and interestingly have weird feelings about old roles (started a thread about that today)
Really struggling to find something that appeals.
Don't have a formal diagnosis but the more i reflect and learn about adhd it completely fits .
I used to have a job that involved replying to emails like a help desk for a specific time only. Was a bit like air traffic control
Loved that as was super involved when on, always new challenges, dopamine hits on closing cases.
Wonder how I can get that again

You can study just fine with ADHD, you just have to be obsessed with the subject. I’ve been able to complete an OU degree in a subject I could hyper focus on and do in my own terms/time.

I currently work as learning support in a SEN further education college. I like the structure of the day (lessons, breaks and lunch). I’ve had other jobs whereby I can’t manage my time, I definitely do need structure.

Trouble with teaching is the admin. I can do you amazing lessons which engage and inspire but I can't get them on paper, I can't do you a mapped out sequence of lessons, I struggle to keep up with marking and the endless reports we have to churn out. Teaching got me into severe burnout and on the edge of a full breakdown.
Now, I do some tutoring with kids with additional needs and am writing and creating stuff for a new website.

@Pharos

Yes teaching could lead to burnout for a lot of people with ADHD. Plus all the data can be mind numbingly boring. The creativity and fun has been totally zapped from teaching.

I’m a nurse, specifically a mental health nurse. I’ve worked in acute inpatient and PICU for most of my career. It’s often unpredictable and dynamic which I love. I find the subject fascinating which helped with my studies however I still left everything to the last minute academic work wise as I can often only perform well under pressure! I write myself a lot of lists so that I don’t forget to document anything!!

I have trouble focusing - my job involves short appointments with the public. So anything that structures your day will help keep you on track and organise you without you needing to worry about not doing a job. Things like a receptionist job, call centre work, phlebotomist, etc

Stay at home jobs

Ask for reasonable adjustments to wfh, apply for access to work.

when I'm in my office I schedule meetings back to back

I’m a teacher who hated mainstream, and never progressed up the career ladder.

I now teach one to one in Alternative Provision. It’s brilliant. No two days are the same, I often have to think/plan on my feet depending on what’s going on with our young people, and I have to think of creative ways to make the curriculum accessible depending on the needs of the student in front of me.

It’s perfect for someone like me, who has the long-term strategising abilities of a moth.

@DuncanBiscuits Are you actually me?
Your post is exactly what I would have written. I love teaching in alternate provision.

It feels like proper teaching without all the data bullshit and Ofsted hoop-jumping. Bliss.

A chef in a busy high turnover kitchen. The individual I know thrives on it, no time to think about anything other than the next ticket, and no time to procrastinate or get distracted.

I work in R&D, co owner of a SME.

I run research & operations. Good mix of practical & varied, problem solving & distinct deadlines. I love experimentation and let's give it a go and see what happens, we can learn from even the worst outcome. Just have to write everything down!

I've nearly always got a qualification on the go too, love learning.

Procrastination is my biggest issue, and I hate routine tasks..ie expenses forms, time sheets etc. Being able to manage my own time helps, and I tend to structure a later work day. I don't start until 10 ish but will finish later, and will often do a half day on the weekend. Also, quite clumsy- I have a reputation for tripping up & dropping things!

Emergency services in front line response roles. Fast past, varied each day and no option other than complete the tasks as it's life or death.

I'm sorry though you can't do it from home.

Would there be an option for you to retrain when kids are a bit older?

Struggling to think of anything from home tbh.

Technical lead in business development- so developing high value 'solutions' to social problems, writing the tender and leading on negotiations. Totally suits my need to completely focus one thing very intensely, having a very high stress intense period then not dealing with the follow through/delivery. Worked best when I worked alongside someone who managed all the processy bits.

My brain is really good at 'seeing' solutions as well so it worked nicely.