There are still more careers areas for you to explore if you have ADD or ADHD. If you haven’t seen anything to your liking yet, consider these other categories.
Management: At first glance, a managerial position may not sound too ADD-friendly. It requires a lot of attention to everyone else’s work and attention to detail, something most of us ADDers just don’t enjoy. However, if you can bone up your organizational skills and keep focused, you would really like being in control. People with ADD or ADHD also have the ability to “bring people along,”and to excite them such that employees would want to work for you!
Nursing: If you consider all of the different kinds of nursing there are, plus the infinite amount of challenges available, there would probably be few dull moments! You’d also get a degree of autonomy.
Medical: Just like nursing, this field is ripe with opportunities for ADDers. If you have he ability to hyper-focus, then medical school will be a breeze for you, and your job will be very exciting. You would do well, however, to pick a specialty that offers you variety, autonomy, and excitement – think surgeon or gynecologist!
Attorney: The biggest problem with this field is that you would have to learn to be detail-oriented – this isn’t impossible, just difficult. Many attorneys have a paralegal who works with them, and often this person can be put in charge of much of the detail portion. At any rate, a trial attorney, for example, offers excitement, autonomy, and variety.
Insurance: I can almost hear you yawning as you read this. If the notion of working in this field intrigues you, think about a job as a sales representative for insurance or a claims adjuster. These jobs require much less monotonous work, enable you to be sociable, and offer variety as well as autonomy.
Computer: Let’s face it, some computer work is boring, boring, boring – all that sitting in one place doing the same thing over and over! What I am talking about here is different. If you love computers, love inventing new programs, or enjoy taking computers apart and putting them back together again, you may find the perfect job. SImply putting in data will drive you insane!
Recreation: Are you particularly physically talented? Are you athletic or do you enjoy teaching others about health? Maybe you should consider a job as a coach, dance instructor, or a fitness trainer. The health field continues to be one of the more recession-proof areas so it might be right down your alley!
Consultant: Think of a consulting job like you might that of an entrepreneur. Most consultants enjoy being presented with a problem and coming up with solutions. You are energized by trying to “sell” someone your ideas. Often someone else will be in charge of implementing your plan and seeing to the details. This sort of career will offer you autonomy, variety, and stimulation.
Creative: Many ADDers are extremely creative. They enjoy using their imaginations to create art, to dance, to write, etc. Often what is hard, though, is the need for some self-discipline. Many artists are very autonomous, but can get scattered quite easily. However, if you are truly enjoying what you are creating, you can also find yourself hyper-focused. Jobs that cater to the creative side of individuals may include teaching art, working in an advertising office or some other creative venture, or as a writer for a public relations firm.
Well, there you have it – the most ADD/ADHD-friendly jobs and careers around. Obviously, this list is not exhaustive, and there are plenty other of these jobs out there. What you must remember is that you need ot know what your own specific strengths and weaknesses are in relation to your ADD/ADHD. Keep those in your mind as you explore jobs and interview for them. A job may not satisfy all of your ADD criteria, and that’s okay. At least you have an idea of where to begin looking.
If you still cannot figure out the direction you should take, you might consider finding a career specialist or a vocational psychologist. These are professionals who are trained to help you narrow your search, and match your interests and abilities with the right career. Just don’t forget to mention your ADD or ADHD, and be sure to explain in as much detail as possible how it might affect your working life!
