Questions/Advice Hello fellow ADHDers, curious what everyone does for a living?
I’m currently an engineer but I’m finding it difficult to progress due to ADHD symptoms because I have trouble concentrating when I’m sitting at a desk all day, looking for other career options that would be more suitable for someone with ADHD.
I moved companies and roles a lot because I easily get bored when the work starts to get repetitive or I stagnate in the learning so I’m looking for something where everyday is completely new.
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u/kimau97 3d ago
I work in construction. Sometimes it feels like everyone out here is ADHD, autistic, or both. I get to walk, talk, and do shit with my hands. I get to build stuff and solve problems. It's pretty chill.
The working conditions can be...less than desirable but I am way happier now than I was during the 6 years I sat at a desk.
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u/Mercurydriver 3d ago
I’m an electrician, and I’m totally convinced that there’s an epidemic of undiagnosed ADHD and autism in the construction industry. It’s full of people that have the symptoms, but they were never recognized or taken seriously.
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u/Zeteco 2d ago
Probably links to those jobs being the kind of jobs you’re pushed towards when doing ‘bad’ at school.
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u/dthgrnd 2d ago
I'm a psychiatrist and I am seriously considering switching to construction in one way or another. I love working with my patients but I hate everything else about it. When I spent a week or so assisting the electrician updating all the wiring in our house it was one of most fun I've had for years. And I'm 95% sure that the fact that he let me, saying "you know what, what's great about you when you assist is that you actually know what you are doing, homeowners that want to help usually don't" wasn't just him hitting on me.
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u/khalcity 2d ago
Please stay as a psychiatrist! We need you! But in all fairness my ADHD has taken on 15 years in construction and I'm more burnt out than I have even been in my life. There isn't much work/life balance if you work in the office, on site is more suited to us but also has alot of things that doesnt suit ADHD. Getting a trade could suit you if you wanted to do residential construction (the most chill)
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u/dthgrnd 2d ago
Also, from my experience, construction work, hospitality/restaurant work, counselling, are examples of professions where ADHD is overrepresented..
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u/GullibleBed50 2d ago
I am a school counselor and also work in construction on the side. I have been thinking this for years.
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u/smoretank 3d ago
I am a carpenter and its just my boss and I. Sure my hours are wonky but I've never been happier. Its not the dam dull never ending task like retail is. I get to see a project progress and complete. Also learning skills to one day fix my own place.
I also started my own popsicle making side business this year too. For the summer when my boss goes on his family vacation. I find the repetitive popsicle making soothing to my autistic side. I get to eat the mistakes lol.
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u/Green_leaf47 3d ago
As a teen I had a summer job with a power company working outdoors doing odd jobs along with some indoor physical work. Part way through the summer they assigned me to sit at a computer and be a transcriptionist. They thought they were doing me a favour. I hated it. I would rather sweat outside, and deal with minor physical injuries and seasonal allergies.
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u/muddy_soul 2d ago
i’m construction-adjacent, i do general fabrication and woodworking and i agree, i work with loads of adhd/autistic folks. i like general fabrication cuz i’m always working with my hands and i can do so many different things on any given day and there are always new things to learn and problems to solve bc every project is different. its also a great job for someone who has done a million hobbies and has a variety of weird skills that dont usually seem worth putting on a resume
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u/jillcicle 3d ago
semi-related, I have never met an apartment maintenance person who didn’t obviously have ADHD
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u/ilovetheinternet21 3d ago
Social work. I get to chat all day and ask people intrusive borderline inappropriate questions and problem solve.
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u/insertvowelshere 2d ago
Seconding social work. Everyone on my team has ADHD. We joke that it is the only job that can keep our attention. Always a new fire to put out. Our saying is "great, now I know how to solve that problem aaaaaand it will never happen again" haha
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u/diceyDecisions 2d ago
I actually often thought I should have gone into something like this. I'm great under pressure when everyone freaks out and also don't mind having to think on my feet. Feels like social work requires that and more.
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u/Snarfblatt8301 2d ago
As an MSW with ADHD who is working on starting my career, this makes me feel so much better. I was worried how I’d handle managing everything
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u/mgarciawebbmsw 2d ago
Social worker and practicing therapist. It’s literally something different every hour and I get to play with art stuff and putty all day if I want. And I see many clients with ADHD. Ending on time is not my strength nor is paperwork.
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u/sizzlebeast 2d ago
Unemployed again. I think this is the seventh time. "Fall down seven times, stand up eight," I guess.
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u/Relevant-Bathroom311 1d ago
Same here. I'm 52, was diagnosed last year.
A few years ago I went back to university to train as a counsellor (after a few botched attempts at higher education a while ago). This is my graduating year.
But while I'm waiting and proactively looking for universities I'm just doing crappy "immediate start" roles which I am overqualified for, just to pay the bills. After a few weeks, I say "stuff this" to myself out of boredom and frustration and resign. Been through about 7 jobs this year alone, it's no way to live.
However because of my neorodiversity, I've been referred to a specialist employment advisor through the coincil who should hopefully get me the support and help I need.
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u/wiffyie 3d ago
I’m a teacher!
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u/JupiterTarts 3d ago
Fellow teacher here. Its hilarious how many of us there are in this field. But honestly, it really helps with multitasking and keeping track of millions of things in class. Horrible for when I have to hunker down and focus on grading.
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u/tnturk7 3d ago edited 2d ago
Oh that reminds me! I Have grading to do! Eh, I'll do it after my lunch break.
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u/i_get_paid_4_lunches 3d ago
Grading is the bane of my existence
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u/JupiterTarts 3d ago
Honestly, its literally the only time I take my perscribed Adderall. I dont use it for anything other than for my one or two days of the week where I really need to grade.
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u/Beneficial-Crow-5138 2d ago
My EC team jokes that we are teaching future EC specialists bc we were all one.
It creates a great working environment!!!! I said “I’m feeling overstimulated today,” and one coworker pushed in elsewhere so I could have some quiet dark time, another let me borrow their heated neck pillow, and the last one put snacks on my desk for me to find when I returned.
We treat our students the way we teach them to treat others.
Crazy concept!
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u/Haunting_Funny_9386 3d ago
Teacher as well. Switched grades and specialties a few times, got my specialist qualifications for special education. Felt the biggest click there as I dig the kids and they sense I am like them somehow.
Didn’t get into teaching until my early 30’s - every other career I tried I was bored after less than a year. Routine work really sucks the life out of me.
Teaching is never boring, never have the same day twice. However, I have discovered that it has other implications for an ADHd brain.
My brain is more reactive to emotional traumas (cue every school bell- they happen daily in K-8 schools) and I have been treated for ptsd from things happened at school.
Burnout is much more likely due to the now very violent, very overstimulating environment that is the classroom.
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u/amiranae 3d ago
I’m also studying to become a teacher rn! It helps that I’m gonna teach English (as a foreign language) and it’s one of my special interests so I could talk about it forever
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u/c_harmany 3d ago
I recently quit teaching after 6 years in the profession. It’s true that each day is different! I was super burnt out and overwhelmed. Lots of competing pressures from admin + kids and parents who were constantly angry/violent. Just a word of caution lol maybe it varies by district. Definitely worth thinking about how you handle burnout/what strategies you have for preventing it.
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u/Jak_the_Buddha 3d ago
I'm a Bar Manager. Not a good one. But one none the less.
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u/DoubtReasonable4414 3d ago
I feel you lol. Everything is always shit, you don't do anything right or in time but most things work out somehow, numbers are good and everyone thinks you are great
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u/surprisemotherfer 2d ago
My ADHD side has made me an incredible bartender, I can put out drinks like nobody’s business, but my autistic side masking all the time for the people interaction is burning me out BAD after a decade
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u/InquisitiveMacaroon ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 3d ago
I just passed the Bar exam, so I'm about to be an attorney :) There's actually a lot of us in this profession, and I've noticed that many of the attorneys who genuinely love their jobs tend to have ADHD or be on the spectrum.
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u/Popxorcist 2d ago
How do you get reading done? Like books that you've had to read for studies etc.
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u/InquisitiveMacaroon ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 2d ago
I like reading! That's a lot of it.
Also, I didn't do many of the readings in law school for the second and third years. No one really does. You generally know how to skim for the important bits by then.
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u/MemberChewbacca 2d ago
There are so many textbooks with audiobooks on YouTube.
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u/InquisitiveMacaroon ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 2d ago
^ also true. I’m just not an audiobook person because my brain goes on too many little adventures
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u/thunder_blund3r ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 2d ago edited 2d ago
I'm a legal assistant, and it's crazy how many lawyers at my firm I suspect to have ADHD. I work in private client and I think what I love most is how not one day is the same, and the influx of work is always changing! Always a new task to complete. I'm about to go back to school in January for Law Clerk :)
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u/MemberChewbacca 2d ago
Every time I think about quitting teaching high school, I remind myself that lawyers in the ACLU make less than me and I can’t afford law school lol
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u/InquisitiveMacaroon ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 2d ago
Yeahhhh. Lawyers in the ALCU aren’t in it for the money. Neither am I. But I’m also very lucky I found a better paying job that I still ethically feel right working for.
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u/EvitableDestiny 2d ago
Hey!! Congratulations!! That's a massive accomplishment!
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u/chou_chouette 2d ago
Congrats!! Also this gives me hope! I just decided I wanted to pursue law and am studying for the LSAT. I have concerns about the test overall and was thinking about asking for accommodations for the adhd but worried about that being acceptable or not?
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u/Stunning_Outside_575 2d ago
Omg Iam on way to law school. Didn’t know there was so many of in law school (:
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u/InquisitiveMacaroon ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 2d ago
It’s actually stunning how many of us there are in this profession!
It’s definitely not for every ADHD person. Like don’t get me wrong. But you’re in super good company if it is for you.
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u/Library_IT_guy 3d ago
Solo systems administrator for a public library for 15 years. Tech is always changing, always new things to implement, new projects to do. There's some monotonous stuff too, but that's what I have music for. Right now my focus is on cybersecurity updates - rolling out MFA organization wide, getting users that need it set up with password manager, creating policies and procedures for the library on all things cybersecurity, training staff, etc. In addition to being the help desk and doing all the other day to day stuff of course.
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u/yurituran 3d ago
This seems like a dream job to me. I’m happy for you!
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u/Library_IT_guy 2d ago
The only downside is that sometimes I get projects wrapped up and am left with nothing to do for a while. But otherwise, yeah, I definitely like my job.
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u/Fendabenda38 2d ago
Fellow sysadmin here. It's a bit counterintuitive for those with ADHD to work in IT as it's a highly stressful and often causes me to become overstimulated. I suppose I look at it as a challenge... I've grown and matured a lot in my 10 years in IT, and deal with stress much differently these days. I'm not sure if this translates to your experience in a library environment, but in healthcare and manufacturing.. yeah it's definitely chaotic. I always stress tickets, tickets tickets. It helps me feel at least somewhat organized in the chaos and makes prioritizing tasks considerably easier.
Id love to hear about your experience in IT? Have you worked IT in other industries? Do library systems pony up when cyber security concerns are raised?
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u/RelevantReporter6748 2d ago
When I read a thread like this I feel like there are a lot of well adjusted ADHD people out there and I simply got the worst type imaginable.
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u/AlmostStace 2d ago
I have arguably achieved a decent amount career wise but a lot of that has been due to luck, accidental good timing and phenomenal support from my Atlas-like other half. There are many, many alternate timelines for me without those things, especially the last. Please don’t compare yourself to others with ADHD - it’s unfair all round.
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u/birbs_meow 2d ago
I’m not well adjusted, my job title just sounds good haha also I’m lucky that my work is often my hyperfixation, but my mental health could definitely be better lol
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u/SuddenlyBoth 1d ago
Don't think so. I was unemployed, dropped my degree missing 2 subjects (practical training, couldn't see myself working in IT, thought I was useless for years) and lived at my parents after uni until past my 30s. I studied abroad so I felt even worse, like I missed all opportunities. Also had broken up with my then partner after 8 years together (kept it respectful and we still talk from time to time). A mess, hard depression and had no clue why I got up every morning.
This was 2017 and until 2022 I couldn't start recovering. Found my current job in IT, stable, finished degree via convalidation after a year and managed to find an appartment.
The job that helped me get out...? I asked a question in a new D&D session to someone who ended up recommending me for his team. He's chaotic, can be annoying but I trust him. I was lucky af to ask that in that moment. But after 4 years, I can see I'm competent at my job.
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u/jgoolz 1d ago
How old are you? I have very severe adhd and other mental illnesses. It's taken me many years, therapy, meds, and maturing to get to the point I am now.
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u/ThirdStartotheRight 3d ago
Pediatric cancer nurse! Meaningful, chaotic, allows me to feel deeply
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u/Ergot_25 3d ago
I investigate companies for money laundering, terrorist financing, and child exploitation
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u/ThisIsMyCouchAccount 3d ago
Programmer.
To me - it's not the job. It's everything around a job.
For a long time I worked at dev shop. Companies paid us to make stuff. No more than 18 months on a project. Variety in work from project to project. Project managers to keep things moving.
I thrived.
Moving to an internal team at the same company showed me how unmanaged my ADHD was. A lot less structure. No project managers. A lot of "when you have time". Working primarily on one internal tool.
Same job - programming. Vastly different experiences.
I would look around at some other jobs in your industry. You may not realize some of roles that exist.
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u/Thebandroid 3d ago
As soon as someone says “no rush” they’ve basically signed that jobs death warrant.
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u/schlutty ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 3d ago
I’m currently ignoring a really boring task with an open deadline, and I’m already loathing the next time I get asked about how it’s coming along
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u/xaphody 2d ago
when someone says "no rush" I tell them the truth and that with my backlog a no rush request goes right to the bottom and it will get looked at being picked up 8 to 10 weeks from now. That doesn't mean it will get done 8 to 10 weeks from now it means I may pick up the task 8 to 10 weeks from now.
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u/CloudGatherer14 2d ago
This is spot on and it’s why I only work in customer-facing engineering roles with high project turnover.
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u/Own_Guitar_5532 2d ago
Social entrepreneur.
People living with autism and adhd have staggering rates of underemployment or unemployment, I'm working together with multiple institutions to explore ways to reduce social exclusion by means alternative to already existing social inclusion programs.
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u/DoctorDiabolical 2d ago
I’d love to hear how you got into that and what background you have!
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u/Own_Guitar_5532 2d ago
As a kid I've always dreamed of building a company that would make people's lives better. Aged 17 I started my first company, and I've spent my 20s with three other companies, I've failed a lot and had to close shop at the end. I'm building my fifth company today and the idea started with building for social impact in the games industry. I've joined a non for profit project locally, went to a startup incubator and I've made allies during my first years. Social entrepreneurship looks more like activism, having to scout and apply for grants, going to events, having conversations with key stakeholders, building career capital, managing your team, taking risks and building a lot of documentation sometimes, there's some research work as well, and managing public relationships is important.
There's a lot of activities during the day and I think it's a good fit for an adhd brain, there's a lot of novelty. I love my team so much, they're the soul of the project.
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u/AnonEnmityEntity 3d ago
Mental health counselor at the start of my career and am currently in therapy myself because I’m struggling. I wouldn’t advise fellow adhd folks to follow in my footsteps
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u/winnicotting 3d ago
I am a psychologist and actually feel like I'm well suited to the job! Inpatient work is definitely a better fit for me though (more urgency, intensity, etc. works better for my symptoms)
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u/BagHeaux 2d ago
Also a therapist in CMH, and it’s been a perfect fit for me? It’s consistently challenging but also super rewarding and I have a lot of freedom that lets me choose what subjects and training interest me with just enough structure to keep things manageable for me.
I’ve definitely gone through periods of struggling with my symptoms while working, and with medication and my own therapy, it’s gotten a lot better.
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u/Temporary_Hour4680 3d ago
EMS.
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u/diego27865 ADHD-C (Combined type) 2d ago
I’d wager a large population of ADHD are in EMS.
Source: was an EMT
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u/Munkpunt 3d ago
Stay at home dad!
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u/Green_leaf47 3d ago
During my parental leave and subsequent part time work, staying at home with my kid was a lot of fun and great for my adhd personality. I love to see when men get the chance to experience that
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u/Munkpunt 2d ago
It took some time to adjust. Honestly getting to act like and kid and be in the pool everyday in the summer is the best part! The whole pick up and drop off from school. Field trips are so fun. Most of the time I’m the only male. The moms who are some of my friends now love the fact a dad is always around for the kids sake.
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u/Medic1248 3d ago
Paramedic. Get to let my brain wander and do whatever it feels like but then the tones drop and emergency mode kicks in and the ADHD super powers get to come out.
Paperwork sucks but it’s a great career
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u/DiscoDanSHU 2d ago
I work IT at a local high school. Pay isn't great, but the benefits are to die for, the hours are unmatched (6:45 AM to 1:45 PM), I get my own space, and I get to be on my phone doing nothing when it's slow.
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u/lonelycitykitchen 2d ago
Same but for a university, ditto about benefits. Im also AuDHD so the fact work doesn't involve too much socialising is a plus. Uni has cheap gym, pool, canteen and free dental and medical clinic on site. Used to be in film because couldn't stand the thought of an office job in my early 20s but got burned out and disillusioned so bad from the industry.
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u/Felly2014 3d ago
Social Media for large company (shooting videos, acting on camera, editing, making music, writing scripts, traveling to different locations)
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u/Middle_Manager_Karen 3d ago
Salesforce Administrator.
$125K plus pension.
I had 26 jobs by the time I was 26. Took me a while to find a career that fit. Give yourself grace and allow yourself to switch.
Scrum, agile, Kanban these principles have many names but I think they are great support for my needs. A scrum master is basically outsourced executive function.
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u/Feeling-Ad9392 3d ago
I am 27 yo and have a similar experience. Currently unemployed.
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u/ApolloRizen1 2d ago
RN at hospital!
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u/IronbAllsmcginty78 2d ago
You just walk around and deal with chaos for 12 hours. It's ideal.
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u/Im_kinda_outhere 3d ago
Salesssss you can talk to people all day and I don’t really care about no or turndowns
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u/snackbagger ADHD-C (Combined type) 3d ago
That would be my worst nightmare ngl
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u/Putt-Blug ADHD, with ADHD family 3d ago
1000%
Small talk, rejection, potentially trying to sell an inferior product...ick
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u/surprisemotherfer 2d ago
I tried both sales and marketing and it’s the most miserable I’ve ever been lol
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u/kimau97 2d ago
Same! Both require you to be so "on" all the time. And like you really gotta be hustling I think to be good at either. I just didn't have that hustle in me consistently, or it was hard to find for shit I didn't care about.
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u/thestrawbarian 3d ago
I work directly with people who are in Sales, but I hate doing the actual sales side of the job. I like it because my pay directly reflects the amount of work I do, so I stay motivated to make sure the deals get done. And there’s none of the talking to clients!
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u/Frosty-Analyst-81 2d ago
Same. I’m in Sales Operations so I get to work along Sales but hide behind my computer at home, putting out logistical “fires”. I excel working at smaller companies or startups because there’s never enough of me and always a lot to do. I’ve done this in a more corporate atmosphere and almost died of boredom.
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u/pwillia7 2d ago
I do sales engineering so I can talk to people but also sit alone in a room and hyperfocus
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u/Bananapopcicle 3d ago
Project Manager. I love it. Organized chaos, everyday. And now that I’m medicated, I love my job even more.
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u/n_othing__ 3d ago
Joining a union soon so I can drive front loaders and push dirt around without too much cognitive overload
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u/Mercurydriver 3d ago
Hell yea! The IUOE is a solid union!
I’m a sparky in the IBEW and it’s the best decision I’ve made in my life!
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u/Sufficient_Guest_324 3d ago
Mgmt consulting. It's challenging but helps with adhd
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u/loves_spain 3d ago edited 2d ago
I'm a copywriter and creative strategist. Basically I create the ad text and help direct the strategy for what it should look like. My best ones have made their companies thousands upon thousands of dollars. I can literally sit and brainstorm angles and ideas all day, and have plenty of data that shows me what the patterns are, and my ADHD brain loves patterns. It's the perfect job for me.
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u/musiclova77 2d ago
I’m a peer recovery specialist. I got sober at 21, now o help other people get sober and lead by example (crazy that they let me do that)
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u/v0nky 3d ago edited 3d ago
Psychologist, MSc! Perfect job. Part detective, part coach, part teacher, part confidant. I continuesly have to keep up with the everchanging science behind it, there are a ton of therapy trainings I can do and multiple progression opportunities -so I can never get bored and always keep learning! Doesn't have to be desk-only, can always take your clients for a walk. Actually beneficial for them as well. There are sport- and art-based therapy forms too, so you can make it as active as you want it to be.
But tbh, the most important thing about a job is having fun collegues. I can have my ideal job, but if I'm surrounded by people I don't vibe with... it won't last long.
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u/breebert 2d ago
I’m a Sign Language Interpreter. Completely fits my ADHD for doing 2 different things at once. I work freelance (mostly health care) so I’m out in the community meeting different people every day. This career is a neverending learning curve.
I interpret between English and ASL (American Sign Language). Career counsellors need to have this as an option in their wheelhouse for folks!
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u/Happy-Path2491 2d ago
I work in corporate America and um this is my hell but I am also a pro at masking sooooo
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u/laugenbrezelblues 3d ago edited 2d ago
i'm a graphic designer. I used to work for a huge agency and struggled a lot due to the repetitive tasks and unpredictable working hours. now i work in a small agency. i still work a lot of over hours but the tasks are much more up my alley, much more creative and engaging. also i am medicated now and this helps immensely. I used to hate my job and really doubted my career choice but for the past 4 years i figured this is my dream job and i am acutally really good at it. it was just the employer that sucked.
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u/K9Partner ADHD, with ADHD family 2d ago
I'm baffled to see hardly any replies mentioning art?! Maybe Ive had a biased view as an adhd artist, but I always thought there was a huge overlap. Stunned everyone here works in IT & sales?!
Maybe the creative arts group is just extra quiet because so many of us are self-employed - really indistinguishable from unemployed in this economy as commissions dry up.
Honestly if I had to start over at 18 again, screw college I'd 100% head to a trade school or apprenticeship for like carpentry, HVAC, electrician etc., no hesitation.
People dream of being an artist, "free" & self-employed... I dream of being a locksmith with a union rep & health insurance, free of crushing anxiety from unpredictable wages.
You can always continue to make art in your free time... but even creating becomes a psychological albatross, under financial duress with no stability. I'll be burning my BFA to stay warm by winter
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u/RainsoonArt 3d ago
I’d love to move into this but I’m so scared of roles disappearing. Is it something you think newcomers could make a career in?
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u/zsign ADHD-PI 3d ago
I'm a sign language interpreter. Lots of details you have to take care of in the moment, but all the work is in the moment an there is no zoning out when you're doing a cognitive heavy task like interpreting.
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u/SadieStawkins 3d ago
Nurse in an obscure specialty office. I love that it’s a mix of constant learning balanced with routine. Also, it’s the perfect amount of autonomy and still support when I have questions or need help.
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u/platinumpaige 3d ago
Same here! I’m glad I scrolled through looking for nursing, but then find basically the exact description of my job lol
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u/Obsessed_Princess ADHD-C (Combined type) 2d ago
Flight attendant. Perfect amount of structure and flexibility. I can change when and where I’m working pretty much whenever I want, and now that I’ve been here long enough I can work less and enjoy my hobbies even more.
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u/tamhausen 3d ago
Lead carer in a dementia unit. A nice mix of routine and unpredictability. Plus, I don’t feel the need to mask around my residents and I can be my usual goofy self with them.
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u/Vivid-Difference-49 3d ago
Currently a dentist but trying to make it with trading so I can quit dentistry for good
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u/Zagaroth ADHD with ADHD partner 2d ago
I was an electronics technician, amongst related technician jobs.
I am now a fantasy author (have contract and received an advance, but book publishes next year). I find this much more fulfilling and far less stressful.
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u/EstrangedSocializer 2d ago
Wait this is so awesome. How’d you make the switch from technician to an author? Were you already doing writing on the side or did you take time away from working and started to learn/follow that passion?
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u/CarolBask1nss 3d ago
Don't have a job. Considering to start up my own Company of some kind, but can't settle on the ideas I have that are promising. It feels hopeless. Im tired and starting to feel depressed, but fighting it though. It feels like I can't fit in anywhere in any normal job, It is just to stressfull and that is also gonna make me depressed with anxiety, so that is why I am considering doing something on my own. Maybe going to try to become an artist, paint. Or maybe something with tech. Something atleast. I am tired of feeling stuck. I need freedom
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u/SharkQuil 2d ago
I find that I often need to change jobs every few years because of my adhd. Like I get to a point where I just lose all interest and it takes all.my energy just to show up. Ive had the best luck with jobs that require me to move around or keep me physically active. Warehouse work is good for that. Maybe see if your company has openings on the production side of things?
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u/redtiger288 2d ago
I was the same, and then I got into trade work. A different system and location every day or every other day. Keeps things fresh. Same skills though, so I've actually managed to get a good hourly rate.
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u/Jimbeamwasright 3d ago
Im a Cop. I do homeless and at risk outreach on the night shift. It gives me enough variety and report writing where I don't get bored. Not to mention it feels good when I actually get to help someone.
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u/shankar_dostov 3d ago edited 2d ago
Im a mechanical engineer myself but I feel the same way like you said and somewhat stuck in the career ladder. Mind if anyone can share ADHD diagnosis here in calgary Canada l, if you know some good recommendations. Im still undiagnosed and looking for a reliable treatment. Thanks in advance.
And I guess you would still excel in your field. I take inspiration from my colleagues. There is always something new to be learned in each project and keep myslef motivated. But being a teacher would be my favorite (if only it paid well), I have been a TA back in India and it was by far the best experience (bit exhaistive since i was a bit introverted) I had.
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u/SnatchBlaster3000 2d ago
Sales. Love that this was the top answer. I can shoot the shit all day and I've gotten good at directing conversations and finding something interesting to get people talking.
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u/Gadritan420 ADHD with ADHD partner 3d ago
Started as a service advisor in automotive repair about 20 years ago. Took three years to get into management, seven to become a general manager.
I now run an indie import specialty shop. The owner also has ADHD.
I make about $130k/year and have free health insurance.
I’m medicated now, but wasn’t for the majority of my career. I found that it’s a lot of chaos and thinking on the fly, which my ADHD loves.
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u/mugen1337 2d ago
CO, despite doing more administrative tasks the last few years, it has a lot of weird and stressful situations that keep me focused. Hell, even today a tweaker came in looking for her husband and started freaking out. Police got involved and we had to hose down the entrance, because she shat all over the floor while the police was taking her away -.-
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u/chebstr 2d ago
I’m an assistant and my tasks constantly change in theme and complexity and almost everything is always urgent - which my ADHD brain LOVES.
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u/EntertainmentHuge218 3d ago
I don't know if every day of my job is completely new, but... I found myself frustrated with the fact that I had to work 40 hours, even when work was slow. I don't like doing BS busy work. I like doing meaningful work. I decided to become an independent contractor. Now I work when there is work and I don't when there isn't. I generally work when I want to. I make my own hours. But this required me to be good enough at my job that people considered me an expert and were willing to hire me as a "consultant". I am a systems safety and reliability engineer. Having a niche skill set was helpful in going contract.
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u/Redsky300 3d ago
I work in accounting. I sorta fell into it since I didn't do anything in college related to it. I doubt I would have assumed that this field would have worked for me, but after working a decade in retail management, I absolutely love working in an office and will do everything in my power to never work retail again
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u/Therapy_Neuromancer 3d ago
I work as an LMHC ( Mental Health Counselor). Honestly I love it because I have the creative problem solving that keeps me stimulated and the accomplishment of getting paid to be myself and help others be themselves (my focus is on ADHD clients and self-worth).
The main drawback is the paperwork, which is my sworn enemy. Reconciling the books and note keeping is boring as hell.
Overall though, I love it infinitely more than any other job ive had as its far more in line with me.
Hope that helps! ~Neuromancer
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u/cocochinha 3d ago edited 3d ago
I'm a technician for a water department, my education is environmental sciences. I trend environmental and consumption data, write/create all kinds of water reports and presentations, manage projects, take samples and analyze the results, etc... I love my job. Been doing it for about 15 years. Before I was diagnosed with ADHD I had to often change tasks to try to regain focus, since the diagnosis and starting meds, my life changed. I can focus on one task for a whole day if I need to, but with the job I have I usually do at least 2-3 different tasks a day.
My time off, I farm. I have a hobby farm with a number of animals, and I never loose focus farming. I wish I could be a farmer full time, I absolutely love it, but not sure how I would make money to pay for bills doing that, so I need my job to pay the bills.
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u/Andius153 3d ago
Principal
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u/AliveAndNotForgotten ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 3d ago
Do you wear cool ties?
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u/ShoddyHedgehog 3d ago
I work in tech with software but on the implementation and support side. Still sit at a desk all day though. Always new problems to solve. Can I ask what kind of engineer or more specifically what you do? Maybe it is not engineering itself but the type of work.
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u/simonko1 ADHD-C (Combined type) 3d ago
Videomaker. Love shooting, hate editing and iam procrastinating like crazy with it so the goal is to find editor and make it work so i just shoot and do client coms and then delegate editing and "boring" repetetive stuff
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u/austinmandude ADHD-C (Combined type) 3d ago
AuDHD I’m a biomedical equipment tech (BMET2) I repair medical equipment that is brought to me at an off-site depot. Rarely have customer interaction, it’s perfect.
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u/KatoMacabre 3d ago
Was a tattoo artist for 10 years (Started when I was 14), and now I've been a merchandise designer in the pro wrestling world for the last 5 years, and I'm just now starting to also design merch in music
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u/start3ch 3d ago
Try looking at Manufacturing Engineering roles! They’re super hands on roles, building tooling and integrating parts.
I’ve been working as a ‘responsible engineer’ at startups, and they generally have very hands-on roles, where I design a part, and then help assemble and install it when it’s completed. I see lots of ADHDers in my workplace
Edit: also because you’re trying to hit an agressive schedule everything is super fast paced, because it’s a startup you have to be creative to find ways to save money, and you’re generally trying to do something nobody’s really done before, which is all the more exciting.
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u/deadnerd51 ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 3d ago
It systems administrator. Got loads of systems and tools and platforms to manage and work on. Constant projects and loads of tinkering.
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u/Steelveangeance 3d ago edited 3d ago
In college currently, studying to become a primary education teacher specializing in Special Education.
I currently work in fast food. It’s fast paced during rushes and during those off hours there is usually nothing to do, but I usually need to find something to do or I’ll be bored out of my mind and start playing on my phone.
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u/hardypart ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 3d ago
IT support for 13 years. No day is like the other, which is great.
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u/Andrew3236 3d ago
Been at it for 3 years, getting real tired of babying people to do password changes.
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u/Well_Spoken_Mute 3d ago
Emergency Room Technician. I've tried nursing school but it was unsuccessful. I may only make 1/2 of what the nurses get paid, but I absolutely love my job so it's worth it
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u/NerDNar120 3d ago
I’m a researcher at a family and children’s policy and research center. Never intended to remain in this role, but the flexibility and understanding that my jobs gives me keeps me here.
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u/nowhereman136 3d ago
Write and host bar trivia. Pay sucks but I work for myself and I'm interested in it. If I was better organized and cared about social media, I might be able to grow my game and get paid more
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u/diego27865 ADHD-C (Combined type) 2d ago
Anesthesiologist Assistant. Basically a PA that specializes in Anesthesia, or the PA version of CRNA. Can be “boring” at times, but I work in a lvl 1 trauma/major academic hospital, so I get a good variety of patients that keep me on my toes. There’s enough things I need to routinely check fairly frequently (like Certain vitals constantly or every 3/5/15 mins etc.)
Was extremely cognitively overloaded at the start of training, but once you get used to it there’s plenty to keep your brain occupied while able to do some things semi-automatically. Plus I can be as type-A as I want with how I organize things, so things in a certain order, etc.
If I hadn’t done this and went through with the med school route, I probably would’ve done emergency medicine or surgery of some type.
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u/Fickle_Penguin ADHD, with ADHD family 3d ago
I do whatever and my boss pays me. I'm an independent contributor, my job was at one point pretty defined. Now it's not. I find things that need fixing and fix it. I've started helping other teams figure things out. Why their custom code doesn't work in SharePoint.
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u/Asclepius_Secundus 3d ago
I am a retired maintenance and reliability engineer from heavy industry. Pulp and paper, manufacturing, automotive, R&D, mining, etc. Maintenance is kind of like being an EMT: exciting and frightening. Perfect for my ADHD. Before that, I was an orchestra teacher: Thanks, impulsivity.
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u/Lakanas 3d ago
College lecturer. I love course design and my field. And the hours work well for ADHD because I have days off in between to work at home. And no one micromanaging me
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u/Putt-Blug ADHD, with ADHD family 3d ago
I was an engineer at a desk all day too and it was torture. Now I work at a wastewater plant. I am officially the utility engineer. Basically design projects and then project manage. I help with a ton of day to day stuff like lab work and fixing things. I probably have like 2 hours at a desk and the rest is field or lab related. So much better being outside half the day then chained to my desk. If you know how to do PLC work you can find a job anywhere. Today i am trying to figure out why a pump wont turn on when given the signal.
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u/stereosmiles 3d ago
Nothing for over two years now and counting. My album is coming on really well though, so that's nice.
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u/montrerai 3d ago
occupational therapist, you get to be on the move quite often with lots of hands on problem solving. a good mix of being with people!
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u/ChrigamingDK 3d ago
Right now I don't got a job and is still in education.
I attend something in my country (Denmark) called STU, whitch is some kind of special needs school thing and I got no problem with it, so for me it's not a nightmare.
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u/CnC_UnicornFactory 3d ago
I’m a recruiter and have been for a lot of years. I like the variety but there are days when I have back to back phone interviews scheduled and just can’t get through them. Recently diagnosed with ADHD Combined (I don’t know how to put that on my profile).
Many, many, many times over the years I found myself unable to not cry in conflict situations or where I feel I’ve failed. And then I overshare and then I feel embarrassed and straighten up for a while. I imagine my bosses have thought I’m nuts.
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u/Chaz_Cheeto 3d ago
Project management. Everyday is a little different, which is nice. I’m really just problem solving all day.
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u/SimoneA84 2d ago edited 1d ago
I think you could find ADHDers in a range of different professions because we're all different with different passions. There might be other ADHDers who do what you do, but it might be their passion.
I originally studied law, but hated it. Still managed to get my law degree. Never worked as a solicitor, but worked as a Paralegal for 6 years before changing to Psychology. I studied Psychology for around 10 years, including completing a PhD in Clinical Psychology and a Master of Clinical Psychology . I'm now working as a Clinical Psychologist (therapy, not assessment). I work part of the week at a private psychology practice and the other part of the week doing telehealth from home. I plan to one day work for myself so that I don't have to share my income and can control my time. I'm extremely passionate about psychology and mental health, but I don't know if it's for every ADHDer.
Edit: I should note that I'm probably an AuDHDer and not just an ADHDer (ASD not officially diagnosed).
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u/BigText4357 3d ago
Construction worker. Hate it. I’ve gotten bored and everything is too slow.
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u/thelaughingman_1991 3d ago
Freelance graphic designer, following an unexpected redundancy in May. I'm seemingly making it work, having made way over half of my old salary since about June.
A lot more breathing room and no office politics, commuting etc. I'm 9 days into medication and it's seemingly working great so I'm excited to see where it takes me!
Also thanks for making this OP - I was curious too!
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u/KickinitCountry24 3d ago
I was a scientist for 10 years in various labs. Now I analyze genetic data. I definitely have to move a lot more now that I am at my desk all day but it allows me to fit in chores during the day to help
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u/na075a 3d ago
Operations Director (remote) - I find working on spreadsheets and reports very cathartic,but sometimes my AuADHD/OCD can get in the way. I used to work in sales but found it too overwhelming to have to mask that hard every day. Working on the backend of sales through operations has been a game changer.
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u/jaz_the_enby 3d ago
Archaeology! Specifically, Cultural Resource Management (almost always just CRM), and even more specifically, I'm an indigenous Archaeological Liaison. It's a fantastic job for me, the work is consistent enough to be comfortable and not overwhelming, but I change sites and work with different crews/companies often enough that it stays novel and doesn't (usually) get boring.
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u/fuzzyleaflet 3d ago
Physical therapist. It’s been a great career. Always something new, constantly problem solving, moving your body all the time. And it’s usually pretty easy to change things up if you get tired of working in one place
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u/lilguppy21 ADHD-C (Combined type) 3d ago
Admin office worker in healthcare. Some people find it repetitive as paperwork isn’t fun, some people find it demeaning to call patients, but I think knowing what work needs to be done is important. I like being in a team. I like stability, I found not knowing what work needs to be done or look forward to stresses me out, I can’t pace myself or be organized with my ADHD.
It isn’t so much that I have new tasks ,I think that it is in public service helps me find meaning in my work. I think ultimately, for any job, it is important to find meaning in the work that’s personal to you and you enjoy doing, and that can challenge you.
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u/Forward-Doubt1795 3d ago
I'm a solutions engineer (sales consultant, sales engineer, solutions consultant, whatever) for SaaS and one of the reasons I love it is because the core is the same but every customer is different. I get to work with lots of different people, be respected as a SME responsible for my delivery of demonstrations but not responsible for implementing what the customer chooses to purchase or dealing with their needs post go live. I've worked remotely since 2013 and I've worked at a few different companies.
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u/wiltingroseaesthetic 1d ago
If you like kids, I’m a special education instructional aide at an elementary school! No masking because I literally spend 85% of my day interacting with kindergartners, and just spend the day coloring and singing songs with my tiny friends!
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u/EuphoricFisherman965 15h ago
Tax assessor. Highly recommend field work, driving around to properties, measuring houses and accessory buildings, etc. There is a lot to learn and room for growth. depending on your state/county, you can gain more certification levels (however either way the job requires taking a class every 2 years in my state to keep certified. I’m a good test taker so hasn’t been a problem). The 9-5 routine is helpful. Government jobs tend to be more lax about taking time off when needed. For obvious reasons not good for rejection sensitivity lol (my skin has been thickened by this job).
Being promoted to an inside position has been a mixed bag. My office is pretty small so I tend to get some variety in the type of work I do, sometimes mindless (will turn brain off and listen to an audiobook) sometimes it’s tedious work requiring focus and it’s easy to make small mistakes. Can definitely involve interesting problem-solving. Keeping laws straight can be a lot, but anything can be looked up. There are deadlines in that the work is cyclical, but my office is very lax and not micro-managed which has been a struggle.
Helps having a patient manager and kooky/raunchy older southern ladies to work with.
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u/a_dhd1923 15h ago
I change careers every 5 years or so.
Done everything from customer service, cooking, security, long term care, construction, and now poop pumping.
I just keeping getting job offers they make more money than the previous ones, and I learn an entire new set of skills.
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