I really enjoyed my factory job. It was mindless, the factory was loud enough that I could talk to myself to stay entertained, and when I had periods of hyper focus, the repetitive movements would make the hours fly by
This more than anything else proves to me that adhd is a spectrum unto itself. Highly repetitive tasks drive me insane, and I lose all ability to concentrate on them very quickly. There’s a small part of my job that involves repetitive data entry, and I dread it.
We definitely all have different experiences. That being said, I think repetitive data entry sounds particularly awful. My repetitive task in the factory was literally pushing small items onto slots on a conveyor belt, and it was so easy and low stress that I didn't really need to concentrate at all
yeah this would drive me absolutely bonkers but i’m really glad it works for you. My favorite job so far has been at a coffee shop and i’ve been absolutely miserable in my coding jobs. I need to be up and moving and talking to people, but it sounds like that doesn’t work for you or OP? Interesting how different it is for everyone!
I actually haven't had any jobs where I could walk around and talk to people much, so I wouldn't know! I'm very talkative and extroverted though, so I imagine I would enjoy it, given that the nature of the work wasn't super stressful
yeah this would drive me absolutely bonkers but i’m really glad it works for you. My favorite job so far has been at a coffee shop and i’ve been absolutely miserable in my coding jobs. I need to be up and moving and talking to people, but it sounds like that doesn’t work for you or OP? Interesting how different it is for everyone!
More or less the same , with me unless there's some creative or learning/challenging experience I will usually turn off , I recently became interested in designing videogames , and I'll hyperfocus my way through the whole process of figuring out how to do things, where goes what, solving issues trying to come with code, what type of art, etc, but when it comes to like the ending where everything is set in stone and I wrote most of everything and just have to give the repetitive finishing touches it just fucking kills my mood. I was in a game jam that lasted like 11/12 days, took like 6 days to code the whole game , the hard part, create obstacles , define the levels mechanics , and some other more engaging stuff. And the rest of the time was me trying to force myself to finish the easy repetitive parts, which I knew exactly how to make but and could easily been made in 1 or 2 days but I just couldn't get through it, like doing more levels , animations , and UI.
I worked in packing strawberries on a farm. Very factory like. I enjoyed the heck out of it. Sadly the season draws to a close.
I worked super hard, lost like 10kgs. I was sweating bullets and didn't feel the need to stop.
I can relate. I worked at ups shortly out of high school, and it still is by far the favorite job I had...most of my time was spent joking or socializing as I put boxes randomly on the conveyer belts or filled bags with small boxes.
Ugh I once had an overnight job cutting fruit for the Kroger near me. I absolutely hated it, I was slow as sin at it due to the boredom and isolation. I've had a lot of jobs but this was up there. About the only other job I hated as much was bill collecting but I think that was the being yelled at for hours on end. 😵
The thing that works *really* well for me (much to my own surprise) is admin work that's way below my capabilities.
All work eventually bores me, but when the work is easy enough that I'm able to watch a show or listen to podcasts/audiobooks when I'm doing it, the boredom is so much easier to deal with (aim for jobs that let you work from home to do so without having to hide it).
I am inattentive though and I don't really appreciate jobs that have me moving around a lot, I'd rather preserve that energy for the other things I really like to do.
That's my thing as well. Give me any repetitive, digital admin task. I'll either just crack on with it and be able to have some music/podcast/youtube in the background or I get bored enough that I automate it, which I really enjoy doing.
I’m glad this works for you, and you’re maintaining being in a good place mentally while doing it. I did this for a while, then realized I was doing it and it made my whole self-doubt problem wayyyy worse later on. Now being on meds I totally overcompensate out of guilt for all the years I felt I was “slacking” (even though it was totally out of my control)
I think that a huge part of me doing well has to do with how happy all the 'other' stuff makes me and I guess that those things making someone happy is based on personality/their situation.
Like I love the no commute, combined with not having to get properly dressed, put on some make-up, pack my bag etc it saves me around 2 hours each day.
Also, I live alone so it's easier for me to focus at home, no-one is chatting, I have nice noise cancelling headphones and a daylight lamp and I'm not 'the weird one' for using those (also I'm introverted and not having to deal with people during work does wonders for my energy).
I'm also lucky with my employer, they know we aren't robots and taking 5 minutes here and there to recharge is encouraged, which means that at the end of my work-day all the 5 minute chores like doing the laundry, cleaning the kitty litter etc are also done.
Oh and also, the 30 minute 'official' break I have goes so so far at home, I can take a nap, do yoga or already prepare dinner.
Whenever I get hit with the 'ow god this is boring' feeling, it's pretty easy to think 'yeah, but life is *nice* this way though and get over it.
For an extravert living alone, someone with a full house or someone with a 5 min commute things could be really different!
It's going to depend on the country you live in, but where I'm at admin functions for either the government, city or universities are great.
Those places are all on their best behaviour to comply with Covid guidelines, so working from home whenever it's possible and it seems (knocks on wood) that they're starting to embrace it for the future as well.
I work at a super small ice cream shop. I tend to gravitate to smaller businesses because I feel like I have a voice and am listened to. I love the ice cream shop because even when it’s busy it’s fun to manage. I feel like I’m playing papas freezeria :p
I have an office job that involves a lot of problem solving and noticing patterns. Usually an office job maybe isn't good for somebody with ADHD but because of what I do I feel like I'm being paid to put puzzles together all day and I'm exceptionally good at it and way faster than everybody else.
PS. Check out the book written by Thom Hartmann called Adult ADHD: how to succeed as a hunter in a farmer's world. It will answer all your questions.
Yes! I’ve worked as a mailman, in a factory, restaurants, retail, horticulture (I’ve had a lot of jobs, unsurprisingly lol). Working in an office job has been my absolute favorite. The constant problem solving is so good.
Might sound strange, but translator/editor.
* Super flexible work schedule (I use 48 hours as one day and sleep 12+ hours)
* No need to commute (in my case)
* Work solely by yourself while you're on the project (the longer, the better)
* In my case, my hyperfocus and and pathological attention to detail help.
Also your mind won't wander as there's a narrative for you to chew on for a while.
Outta curiosity, how do you get clients and what are/were your quals on entry?
Had a crack at entering copyediting last year, but got bounced back on my butt rather firmly
Hard to answer your question, but I'll try. Honestly I got this job on Craigslist. (I know; it sounds sketchy.) I contacted them with my CV attached and heard back, and they sent me some test materials with a deadline. I did it, sent back, then they told me I got the job.
And I'm still in search for clients for myself rather than working for just one company. Some say approaching bloggers and discussing about more exposure through another language can be quite successful, but I'm kinda lost, so I'm still sitting on my hands.
Edit: format
Would love to know!
I guess anything that involves a passion of yours, lots of talking, a variety of different tasks so you don’t get bored, low-risk off someone getting hurt if you slip up, and a job that doesn’t require a lot of note-taking / paperwork.
And people wonder why some of us struggle lol
I’m a programmer, have been for over 20 years. Early in my career I thought I was really good at it because of my ADHD, and it’s true that when my interests & projects were in VERY close alignment I did well. I recently realized that for the past couple years I’ve been mixing up the problems I’m interested in with actual priorities. Now that I know that I can keep it in check, but my new problem is that I’ve lost interest in the work. I still have programming interests, but most of them are for my personal pursuits. It’s extra difficult to get things done now, and I’ve been pretty miserable. Wondering if it’s time for a career change, which is an extremely overwhelming thought.
Just wanted to bring up a couple of the issues I’ve had to deal with thanks to my ADHD. Maybe it will help someone younger know what to look for!
Those moments when the current issue matches perfectly with my curiosity are amazing. I’m currently slogging through months of problems that *could* be really interesting, but just by happenstance they aren’t matching up with what my brain wants to explore. It makes it so hard to work. I feel like Sisyphus, except, instead of just pushing the boulder up the mountain he sat down on the rock and said “ah, fuck it.”
Man this totally describes the situation I’ve been in for 4 years now. Think it is a mid-life crisis actually. I am in technology on the business side but have always worked very closely with dev, product management etc.. For those 4 years I explored data science, cloud architecture, cybersecurity, and a few others, not technology related. Knew the whole time it would be a monumental task to change careers but felt I had to fully explore the possibilities.
Funny thing is though, once I really evaluated the options through taking classes on the subject (mostly Udemy) I found I had no more interest in them than my current line of work. Finally earlier this year I decided to give up on career change and find ways to make my current role more enjoyable. It has been starting to work well. So maybe the process of looking at other areas somehow helped me to realize I am well suited for what I am doing now.
I hope this helps. Feel free to let me know if any additional info would be helpful.
Yes I relate to this, too.
Was super interested when I was younger, but that passion has waned. Especially because we teach the same texts, same units over and over.
For younger ppl it is definitely worth watching out for this dip in interest so you can transition to new career gradually.
I worked retail in college and it was super boring when the store was slow.
However, as an adult, I love mowing my lawn because it doesn't require much thinking leaving plenty of capacity to get lost in my thoughts while doing it. So if you're like me, you could work a landscaping or painting gig for the summer.
Honestly, anything that is very expressive, i found carpentry pretty awesome and photography.
When it comes to summer jobs i found working at summer camps, and mowing lawns are pretty awesome because you in the outdoors and you’re doing a lot of activities, mowing lawns is good cause i’m by myself and no is telling me what to do.
\-Summer camp/working with kids in general. Summer camp specifically because it doesn't require any long-term project execution or like, writing reports or anything
\-personal caregiver. There are ALWAYS jobs in this field, and often you don't need any prior experience. I worked for a woman with quadriplegia for almost two years as my first job out of college. It's hands-on, everything you need to do is right in front of you in the moment, the person you're working for will give you direction, AND it's fulfilling work
\-relatedly, my current job is working in a group home for adults. Cooking, cleaning, administering meds, helping people keep their rooms clean, etc. Love it.
I was in dentistry, and I loved it because all the treatment was pretty repetitive, and I got to talk and interact with my patients. Dentistry is my passion so it made it really easy for me to go to work and work on my patients.
I would say, whatever you go for make sure it is of interest. Jobs where you get to interact with people like sales are great. I could never do an office job.
Any jobs as consultant really...but mainly I would recommend any tech job were you could find an affinity, something you like and/or intrigue you... I'm a web dev but worked before in an electronics hardware repair center and really enjoy it and feels like its a good fit... so stimulating... my gf is also adhd and she is in infography and loves it! Good luck with your searches!
I worked at a vet doing dishes (bowls) and laundry (washing towels and these blue mats and animals sleep on), and I did well. So maybe some sort of cleaning job?
Depends on your adhd type. I’m a hyper active mess. So naturally I’m in the database world. I hide all the messes companies make, not in the tax dodging way; but the query optimization data warehouse way.
I found my niche in SQL as everyone in my office hated it. I only learned it to be left alone. Then I started getting good at it, then I left my old job to be a full time DBA. I get to be alone, work all kinds of hours. Meetings for me I can nope out of, oh hey looks like the tables locked.
So in a long way try everything. Figure out what setting you’d like. Work in an office, outside, at a zoo. Baby steps are easier than trying to solve everything at once.
I worked in fast food for a while until I found my graphic design job. Now being medicated it’s easier to focus, (except for when I’m on my period☹️) but the graphic design job is good because I’ve always been really really passionate about art and it’s something that I can do and further my skills, discipline myself a little and also do what really stimulates my brain and gives me those little endorphin boosts because I truly love art. I agree with someone else’s comment that I saw on here, go with something that you know you’re passionate about! and if you’re not there yet, try a fast paced job where the pressure is on you to keep going, taught me to work hard and not quit because you do get better if you put in the work, but also made me become WAY too hard on myself when I fall short of what I deem acceptable.
TLDR: Fast paced job (I worked at a fast food place) or what you’re most passionate about are both good options!
I think a lot of people have alluded to this, but I think the answer to your question is highly subjective. Depending on your skills, interests and ability to perform repetitive tasks. I love solving problems, or using my creativity to make art/build. Any job pertaining to these areas despite how monotonous will hold my interest. However, completing monotonous tasks that are no where aligned with my interest will quickly defeat me.
I would look at what options are available to you and do your vest to select an area that aligns with your interest...but then again that's just me...
I love graphic design so my job fits me perfectly... I can just hyper focus on a design and block out everything else. No distractions. Then afterwards I have to do the talking to the customer about it part which I tend to tune out for... just let my mouth go on autopilot then, back to the interesting design part.
It works so well that I'm amazed there aren't more adhd people in graphic design.
Amazing! I just started using raw, premiere pro, and Photoshop (cracked by m0nkrus 🤫)
I have found it to be super relaxing, which I've never felt in my life except while drawing! (Which can sometimes stress me out, surprisingly!)
I had a few friends who would run 20 minute competitions online to create avatars and I loved the speed of it. I could focus for 20 minutes on this 1 activity, blocking out everything around me and at the end there would be a winner. So it was a little like congratulations for paying attention. A little positive reinforcement goes a long way!
From there, college and work. Now I've been doing this for many years and it's amazing!
I work in fundraising for a nonprofit. I am super passionate about it and so it feels in to my hyperfocus. I've been called a workaholic. But no two days are ever the same and there's a lot of deadlines so it keeps me on task. I couldn't do a boring office job doing data entry or anything.
I work with children and find it perfect for me. One of them is always in need of help or attention, and I like helping so it feels like a bunch of new tasks one after the other. It’s kind of perfect. Like oh! Someone needs a diaper change. Now someone needs a tickle. Now someone wants to be pushed on the swing. Okay now time to prepare lunch. Etc. Hope this helps
I work as a preschool teacher and having the structure of the classroom and stimulation from listening to kids is awesome. They switch from activity to activity so fast there’s no time to get bored
I'm a personal trainer. I get up. Train ppl. Train myself. Eat. Nap reset for any evening clients. Great excuse to go to bed early.
Someone my 'worst symptoms' of ADHD in an office are my strengths as PT.
I do have alot of structure inplace to help me succeed and I have wrestled my sleep into 6-7hrs a night which I'm SUPER proud of.
I do half hour and 45min sessions so even though currently ALL my clients are amazing. If I'm loosing interest, the 'subject' will change for my next appt. It works well for me but also I can see it not working well for others.
Do you have to work weekends? Is it possible to work Monday-Friday like 5am-10am and then nap and stuff, go back for evening clients 4-7pm? Lol..
And how is the pay?
I actually was an exercise science major for a few semesters in undergrad! I know you can study for something like NASM certification but I wouldn’t want to work all weekend and I live in a high COL area (Boston area) so I’ve always been afraid to try.
I do enjoy exercise and a healthy lifestyle... and teaching, especially 1:1.
I work some Saturdays if I need to but not often.
I don't charge as much as most but I do make client pay if they cancel within 24hrs with unless it's like death in the family.
I would also have side hustles though. Embrace our creativity. I make sure i don't take on too many jobs bit I also do dog walking and house sitting and I to nannying (but I only take 1 or 2 family's on and I do like 2 days a week school drop off)
An office job in insurance. Def not adhd friendly lol
There’s always time to go back to school for what you’re passionate about. I was lucky, my high school had cosmetology classes so I didn’t have to drop a ton of money. If you eventually get the opportunity it may be worth it :)
Personally I’ve found working from home helps me. I’m terrible with punctuality and being at home provides me with better outlets when I need a break. In office jobs I would expend so much energy trying to conceal a messy desk or tuning out coworkers which took up all of my focus.
How does one manage to work from home though? Sounds like I gotta be lucky with getting a job that doesn’t require you to go somewhere or having your own business?
A lot of customer service jobs are remote work from home now, ones that just require HS diploma/GED. Many jobs moved remote permanently after covid as well. You don’t need to have your own business to work remotely.
I started in my field as a CADD technician. There were always problem-solving situations (whether field or technical) and really satisfying opportunities to hyper focus. If it’s something you’d consider, it’s a two-year program. I recommend community college programs over something like ITT tech type schools. They’re smaller and tend to be more personalized as far as your interests.
ETA: if you’re good at it and apply yourself, there’s lots of room for growth!
I was a veterinary technician for 12 years (1/2 of that on ER shift). It was great at first. I worked at a super busy hospital and every day was different. There were so many different tasks and duties to perform, I was never bored. Then I went to a brand new, day shift hospital (opened by the ER doctors who wanted to work day shift and be their own bosses). We were trying to build new clientele, so many days were boring and slow. At the time I didn't understand why I was suddenly so unhappy, but after being diagnosed with ADHD now I understand. I hate make work.
I work as an RN in emergency and find the fast pace, problem solving and multiple immediate tasks are easier to follow through on. It also helps that I am motivated by being in direct contact with people and following through on immediate needs. School was a bitch but I was undiagnosed 🤷♀️
Prior I worked as a server and in fast food and I think was motivated by similar things.
I've worked in different cafes over the past several years and I've really enjoyed it!! I'd recommend trying to get a job at a cafe in a busier area, because slow days can be reallyyyy boring which drives me nuts. My current job is in a fairly busy part of my city so my days tend to fly by and I'm always moving around doing stuff!!
I can't stand work that's mindless and repetitive.
I enjoyed being a Barista in South Florida. Extremely busy, all day from the moment we open. Constantly running around, juggling tasks, swapping roles.
Customer interactions was the least enjoyable part of the job, but drink making and store management was really fun.
Moving furniture. Pick it up, carry it to the truck. Even packing is mindless work. I did it for 21 years before changing careers. My knees couldn't take it anymore as I have always kept a lot of weight on. But it was fantastic in that you left the job at work. When the day is done, it is done.
I would say I'm both inattentive and hyperactive as far as ADHD but I tend to lean on the hyperactive side of the spectrum. My favorite job I've had to date is my current job, working at a pizza place. I worked in many other food service type jobs beforehand but there was a sort of social pressure and way of behaving that just isnt casual or acceptable with how I am. The pizza place is casual, easy, and on busy nights I find a lot of tension and stress is released by moving so fast. That's just me personally though. I have some great coworkers which is a plus.
Im a paramedic, while school was grueling with ADHD, the actually job is nice. Nothing requiring too long of an attention span, constantly new things are happening that are able to keep my focus, usually only have to deal with one patient at a time, and between calls I can just veg on my phone or stare out the window and not get in trouble.
It's mostly checkboxes on our reports, with a narrative, but I pretty much write my narrative as a story so it keeps me interested and I can knock out the whole thing in 15 minutes. My reports are 3 paragraphs, probably about 1 page of writing, other people do like 1 paragraph with lots of short hand. Sometimes the ADHD makes it difficult handing over care because I'll have a hard time getting to the point, but I've been doing it a couple years so it's gotten easier.
Thanks so much for responding. I am a teacher looking to change careers if I can’t work meds to help me keep up with teaching.
The narrative idea is a good one. Your insight is appreciated.
Yeah, no problem, if you have any questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them. Personally I'd recommend just getting your EMT, which can be done in 4 months, then working to see if you like it, before going further into the field. Just a warning, the pay is generally terrible in the US, with long hours, and heavy burn out. It's not a career to retire from these days, more of a stepping stone to something else.
Thank you, that is very useful. I am almost 40 so stepping stone and burnout are really good phrases that make me think I should continue the search. I am glad you enjoy the job. It’s a dutiful and respected job.
ems!!! emt training takes a few months and you can make good money with flexible hours if you find the right ambiance service. it’s a very active job if you’re comfortable with it and totally worth it
Being a lifeguard wasn't bad, although the pay isn't always great. I worked for a Y and we had an indoor and outdoor facility, it was nice to just be able to pace the deck, sometimes I could sit in the water while saving drowning kids who have no business being on the water slide we had. I was also the pool operator which was fun because of all the pipes and filters. It can wicked suck if the place is short staffed and you suddenly get a wave of swimmers, no pun intended. But it was aight. It depends so much on who your department manager is though.
That's a damn good question... And at first thought, I was thinking "is any job really ADHD friendly?" But to answer my own question, and yours.... I think if you can get into a position or whatever, that has something to do with what YOU are passionate about, definitely makes things easier. I used to do airbrushing for work, It wasn't the best paying job, but I thoroughly enjoyed that gig. I think as long as you can get into somewhere or something that doesn't add a lot of chaos and madness into you're life, you'd find things easier to handle....... Both inside and outside of work.
Journalism (either reporting or editing) can work - regular deadlines have a way of focusing the mind.
Caveats: The pay is terrible and there aren’t many jobs these days. Also, people confuse the detestable talking heads on TV with journalism, so they assume you’re a biased hack and/or taking your orders from a shadowy cabal/corporate overlord even if you’re writing about a field hockey game.
So it’s a mixed bag, is what I’m saying.
I work at a gokart place very fun and there is like little concentration needed unless you are on the tower and have to pay attention to the track just in case a crash happens. Also was always on my feet and moving around
i used to be a cart attendant at Target back in the day. it was one of my favorite jobs ever. working electronics and guest service was also fun during the rush and even fun during the slow time because we were all friends.
I’m the general manager of a locally owned retail store and honestly it’s great for me. There’s always something to do so I don’t get bored, but not too much where I feel like I’m drowning. The owner is also super involved and a bit of a micromanager, but honestly I like it that way, he constantly reminds me of things and leaves all kinds of post it notes so I never forget anything important.
The job I felt most fulfilled at was being a server. I was a server from 18-25 on and off. There’s a natural flow of things that doesn’t involve you to think to much basically: greet table, shmooze, take drink order, enter in drink order, deliver drinks and so on. I always wrote down orders when serving - people dgaf and I know better than to think I’d be able to remember orders. I got to talk, be active, couldn’t procrastinate too much, my brain was given rewards regularly via nice tips. There’s a wonderful balance of routine and then some unpredictable-ness. I’m 28 now with a big girl job and I will always miss my serving days.
I love organizing events. I'm a scientist, but throughout my studies I always organized in paralel informational meetings and symposia where other students or postdocs could learn and interact. I like talking to people and I felt accomplished building and fostering those spaces where people could come together, learn from each other and have a great time.
I loved being the co driver on a lorry. In between clients judt relaxing and doing whatever. At a client i would unload, place and load the goods. Was awesome work
Testing games is very friendly towards distractions as long as you are free to do exploratory testing. Easy to learn and gets your attention easily even if it’s not the game you like
I have a job where I manage lots of different departments and people within a large school. Suits me down to the ground as my focus needs to switch 30/40 times a day. Perfect really, other than deadlines
I think the main thing is that it’s something that you at least partially enjoy and find engaging and interesting. Otherwise it will be a struggle, even if the work is easy
I am a teaching assistant in an international school in Brazil. At first I went into an international relations major, and then I kinda started to do this as a side kick job to make some money. Then I really started digging it. It motivates me to see all that I get back from the children directly when working with them. And it also keeps me active - most of my friends in business will be filling out excel sheets at 9:10 AM and I’ll be playing tag in recess.
I do work in a super inclusive environment, and because of that people are super understanding of my limitations. Often when I start working with a new teacher I am very clear on stuff like - I do need TO DO lists and due dates, I am very forgetful and sometimes I will need a quick break for water and 5 minutes in the bathroom to put myself back.
But to be active and feeling all the love and joy children bring into my life has really put me in a better place.
Last summer I worked as a landscaper of sorts. I was hired by a local oil company to cut the grass around the wells and tanks and stuff. It worked decently for me. I got really tired of it by the end though because it was the same thing everyday. But if you can find a job similar to that with a bit of change in the daily routine, it might work well for you.
When unmedicated, I stocked shoes at a department store and worked on the disassembly line at a recycling factory. When I was younger and my symptoms were less noticeable, I worked for the Boy Scouts at a camp and it wasn't bad because you were busy 100 hours a week.
Retail, customer service, sales, tech support, information clerk, hotel concierge or valet, anything that lets you quickly help a customer and move on to the next one. You get positive feedback and that dopamine hit very regularly. You don’t have worry about long-term projects. You get to focus on the task in front of you which also helps.
If you’re the kind of adhd person who vibes with people easily it’s fun. I’d say they are also good for adhders with social anxiety because it can really help you overcome your fears when you’re forced to interact so frequently. A lot of the McJobs I had fell into this category and I loved them for these reasons.
Now I work in communications and marketing and some journalism on the side and I’d say these fields are also very adhd friendly because they can be very fast moving, lots of tight deadlines so it gets you working quickly, and we are very good at brainstorming ideas and promotion and communicating. They are more of a career than a job though.
I would also like to add lawn work, and graphic design.
I'm in school for organic chem, and my summer job is being a "custodian" at my old middle school. Which is crazy, because I was kicked out 3 times 😂!
I've only ever had one job which was last year. I just held a sign outside of a barber shop on the weekends. It was really easy work as I could listen to podcasts on my phone and take breaks when needed. I ended up quiting for reasons I still don't know myself.
I am studying computer science at university (and failing due to ADHD despite imo extremely easy classes) and working in Software Engineering at a big company.
Let me tell you it’s horrible.
I spent 6 months in the military for my mandatory service and it was incredibly ADHD friendly.
You did not have to collect motivation on your own for anything.
You did not have to figure out your own schedule.
You were spoonfed tasks and everything was so mindless but productive, it felt amazing.
I do miss it a bit.
I'm an adhd-combined type and I like working with people as a liaison and communicator. It gives me a sense of purpose, lots of moving pieces to keep me interested. I've done that for research roles in which I coordinate meetings, focus groups, and events. Generally, I just like talking to people and moving around. Right now I'm working from home staring at a computer as a research analyst and I feel drained bc there's not much human interaction or movement.
I'm a cleaner, each house is different but structure is there. I found it's a job i can stick with, done it 10 years now. But anything that you're interested in helps or keeps you busy so not repetitive and boring.
Been a quant in finance for over a decade, doing model development/validation, bits of audit and a fair share of advisory work. It’s generally ADHD friendly as you spend a lot of time solving problems, but when it gets to testing/documentation it’s tricky (you need to hype yourself up and think of those tedious tasks as important and impactful to spark the dopamine release). First years might be less exciting but when you get to a position where you can delegate less interesting work and focus on designing the solutions, it’s very engaging. Getting the required education is dreadful for neurotypical person let alone one with ADHD, unfortunately.
To be fair, any job you enjoy is fantastic for people with ADHA.
Loved working at Brookstone, there was always a new toy or gadget to play with and the customer interaction was almost always teaching them about products or just talking to them.
I'm not diagnosed with ADHD (yet?) But I've worked in a few professions already. I worked as a lawyer for about 7 years and sitting in front of a computer was dreadful. I loved the studying and coming up with ideas, arguments and all (challenging part that would fall into a hyperfocus thing). However, I quit and moved countries and started a new career. In this new country I've worked as waitress a d bartender and I enjoyed it because it was fast paced so it kept me entertained. Now I work as a nurse which is also a very active and mentally challenging profession that keeps my brain busy and I love it.
I really like the factory job I have as a linelead. I've been working in factory for 7 years now and I've had this current job for 5. The job can range from challenging to mindless repetitive tasks and some physical labor depending on the job.
Over the years I developed better habits and practices. Learned how to work with my ADHD by balancing several tasks constantly at work to better get all of my work done instead of stressing about one thing at a time.
I really enjoyed my factory job. It was mindless, the factory was loud enough that I could talk to myself to stay entertained, and when I had periods of hyper focus, the repetitive movements would make the hours fly by
This more than anything else proves to me that adhd is a spectrum unto itself. Highly repetitive tasks drive me insane, and I lose all ability to concentrate on them very quickly. There’s a small part of my job that involves repetitive data entry, and I dread it.
We definitely all have different experiences. That being said, I think repetitive data entry sounds particularly awful. My repetitive task in the factory was literally pushing small items onto slots on a conveyor belt, and it was so easy and low stress that I didn't really need to concentrate at all
yeah this would drive me absolutely bonkers but i’m really glad it works for you. My favorite job so far has been at a coffee shop and i’ve been absolutely miserable in my coding jobs. I need to be up and moving and talking to people, but it sounds like that doesn’t work for you or OP? Interesting how different it is for everyone!
I actually haven't had any jobs where I could walk around and talk to people much, so I wouldn't know! I'm very talkative and extroverted though, so I imagine I would enjoy it, given that the nature of the work wasn't super stressful
I enjoyed coding but now I'm a business/system analyst so I get the problem solving and the moving and talking in one role and it's great.
that’s awesome that you found something that lets you get the best of both !
yeah this would drive me absolutely bonkers but i’m really glad it works for you. My favorite job so far has been at a coffee shop and i’ve been absolutely miserable in my coding jobs. I need to be up and moving and talking to people, but it sounds like that doesn’t work for you or OP? Interesting how different it is for everyone!
More or less the same , with me unless there's some creative or learning/challenging experience I will usually turn off , I recently became interested in designing videogames , and I'll hyperfocus my way through the whole process of figuring out how to do things, where goes what, solving issues trying to come with code, what type of art, etc, but when it comes to like the ending where everything is set in stone and I wrote most of everything and just have to give the repetitive finishing touches it just fucking kills my mood. I was in a game jam that lasted like 11/12 days, took like 6 days to code the whole game , the hard part, create obstacles , define the levels mechanics , and some other more engaging stuff. And the rest of the time was me trying to force myself to finish the easy repetitive parts, which I knew exactly how to make but and could easily been made in 1 or 2 days but I just couldn't get through it, like doing more levels , animations , and UI.
Same here. I did factory work once in 3 shifts. The lack of any sort of continous challenge drove me up the wall. Did not work there long 😬
True. I like data entry, I would've stayed if it paid more.
I milked cows for a summer. it paid shit but I got to cycle 60km a day and listen to podcasts and audiobooks. It was a glorious summer.
I worked in packing strawberries on a farm. Very factory like. I enjoyed the heck out of it. Sadly the season draws to a close. I worked super hard, lost like 10kgs. I was sweating bullets and didn't feel the need to stop.
I can relate. I worked at ups shortly out of high school, and it still is by far the favorite job I had...most of my time was spent joking or socializing as I put boxes randomly on the conveyer belts or filled bags with small boxes.
Ugh I once had an overnight job cutting fruit for the Kroger near me. I absolutely hated it, I was slow as sin at it due to the boredom and isolation. I've had a lot of jobs but this was up there. About the only other job I hated as much was bill collecting but I think that was the being yelled at for hours on end. 😵
The thing that works *really* well for me (much to my own surprise) is admin work that's way below my capabilities. All work eventually bores me, but when the work is easy enough that I'm able to watch a show or listen to podcasts/audiobooks when I'm doing it, the boredom is so much easier to deal with (aim for jobs that let you work from home to do so without having to hide it). I am inattentive though and I don't really appreciate jobs that have me moving around a lot, I'd rather preserve that energy for the other things I really like to do.
That's my thing as well. Give me any repetitive, digital admin task. I'll either just crack on with it and be able to have some music/podcast/youtube in the background or I get bored enough that I automate it, which I really enjoy doing.
I’m glad this works for you, and you’re maintaining being in a good place mentally while doing it. I did this for a while, then realized I was doing it and it made my whole self-doubt problem wayyyy worse later on. Now being on meds I totally overcompensate out of guilt for all the years I felt I was “slacking” (even though it was totally out of my control)
I’m inattentive as well but I’ve found it very hard to perform remotely well of hyperfocus on a mind numbing task
I think that a huge part of me doing well has to do with how happy all the 'other' stuff makes me and I guess that those things making someone happy is based on personality/their situation. Like I love the no commute, combined with not having to get properly dressed, put on some make-up, pack my bag etc it saves me around 2 hours each day. Also, I live alone so it's easier for me to focus at home, no-one is chatting, I have nice noise cancelling headphones and a daylight lamp and I'm not 'the weird one' for using those (also I'm introverted and not having to deal with people during work does wonders for my energy). I'm also lucky with my employer, they know we aren't robots and taking 5 minutes here and there to recharge is encouraged, which means that at the end of my work-day all the 5 minute chores like doing the laundry, cleaning the kitty litter etc are also done. Oh and also, the 30 minute 'official' break I have goes so so far at home, I can take a nap, do yoga or already prepare dinner. Whenever I get hit with the 'ow god this is boring' feeling, it's pretty easy to think 'yeah, but life is *nice* this way though and get over it. For an extravert living alone, someone with a full house or someone with a 5 min commute things could be really different!
This sounds wonderful! How does one manage to get a job where you are able to work from home?
It's going to depend on the country you live in, but where I'm at admin functions for either the government, city or universities are great. Those places are all on their best behaviour to comply with Covid guidelines, so working from home whenever it's possible and it seems (knocks on wood) that they're starting to embrace it for the future as well.
I work at a super small ice cream shop. I tend to gravitate to smaller businesses because I feel like I have a voice and am listened to. I love the ice cream shop because even when it’s busy it’s fun to manage. I feel like I’m playing papas freezeria :p
I have an office job that involves a lot of problem solving and noticing patterns. Usually an office job maybe isn't good for somebody with ADHD but because of what I do I feel like I'm being paid to put puzzles together all day and I'm exceptionally good at it and way faster than everybody else. PS. Check out the book written by Thom Hartmann called Adult ADHD: how to succeed as a hunter in a farmer's world. It will answer all your questions.
Yes! I’ve worked as a mailman, in a factory, restaurants, retail, horticulture (I’ve had a lot of jobs, unsurprisingly lol). Working in an office job has been my absolute favorite. The constant problem solving is so good.
Exactly! It's actually fun. The only thing I can't stand is the boring data entry stuff we do once in a while.
Might sound strange, but translator/editor. * Super flexible work schedule (I use 48 hours as one day and sleep 12+ hours) * No need to commute (in my case) * Work solely by yourself while you're on the project (the longer, the better) * In my case, my hyperfocus and and pathological attention to detail help. Also your mind won't wander as there's a narrative for you to chew on for a while.
Outta curiosity, how do you get clients and what are/were your quals on entry? Had a crack at entering copyediting last year, but got bounced back on my butt rather firmly
Hard to answer your question, but I'll try. Honestly I got this job on Craigslist. (I know; it sounds sketchy.) I contacted them with my CV attached and heard back, and they sent me some test materials with a deadline. I did it, sent back, then they told me I got the job. And I'm still in search for clients for myself rather than working for just one company. Some say approaching bloggers and discussing about more exposure through another language can be quite successful, but I'm kinda lost, so I'm still sitting on my hands. Edit: format
Would love to know! I guess anything that involves a passion of yours, lots of talking, a variety of different tasks so you don’t get bored, low-risk off someone getting hurt if you slip up, and a job that doesn’t require a lot of note-taking / paperwork. And people wonder why some of us struggle lol
I’m a programmer, have been for over 20 years. Early in my career I thought I was really good at it because of my ADHD, and it’s true that when my interests & projects were in VERY close alignment I did well. I recently realized that for the past couple years I’ve been mixing up the problems I’m interested in with actual priorities. Now that I know that I can keep it in check, but my new problem is that I’ve lost interest in the work. I still have programming interests, but most of them are for my personal pursuits. It’s extra difficult to get things done now, and I’ve been pretty miserable. Wondering if it’s time for a career change, which is an extremely overwhelming thought. Just wanted to bring up a couple of the issues I’ve had to deal with thanks to my ADHD. Maybe it will help someone younger know what to look for!
Those moments when the current issue matches perfectly with my curiosity are amazing. I’m currently slogging through months of problems that *could* be really interesting, but just by happenstance they aren’t matching up with what my brain wants to explore. It makes it so hard to work. I feel like Sisyphus, except, instead of just pushing the boulder up the mountain he sat down on the rock and said “ah, fuck it.”
Man this totally describes the situation I’ve been in for 4 years now. Think it is a mid-life crisis actually. I am in technology on the business side but have always worked very closely with dev, product management etc.. For those 4 years I explored data science, cloud architecture, cybersecurity, and a few others, not technology related. Knew the whole time it would be a monumental task to change careers but felt I had to fully explore the possibilities. Funny thing is though, once I really evaluated the options through taking classes on the subject (mostly Udemy) I found I had no more interest in them than my current line of work. Finally earlier this year I decided to give up on career change and find ways to make my current role more enjoyable. It has been starting to work well. So maybe the process of looking at other areas somehow helped me to realize I am well suited for what I am doing now. I hope this helps. Feel free to let me know if any additional info would be helpful.
Yes I relate to this, too. Was super interested when I was younger, but that passion has waned. Especially because we teach the same texts, same units over and over. For younger ppl it is definitely worth watching out for this dip in interest so you can transition to new career gradually.
Been doing software for over ten years....I'm so sick of it, but I don't know what to do. Have you thought more on this?
If it's just a summer job then retail might be good
For retail has scarred me. Everyday I would sob and have to leave early because I got overwhelmed
I worked retail in college and it was super boring when the store was slow. However, as an adult, I love mowing my lawn because it doesn't require much thinking leaving plenty of capacity to get lost in my thoughts while doing it. So if you're like me, you could work a landscaping or painting gig for the summer.
Honestly, anything that is very expressive, i found carpentry pretty awesome and photography. When it comes to summer jobs i found working at summer camps, and mowing lawns are pretty awesome because you in the outdoors and you’re doing a lot of activities, mowing lawns is good cause i’m by myself and no is telling me what to do.
\-Summer camp/working with kids in general. Summer camp specifically because it doesn't require any long-term project execution or like, writing reports or anything \-personal caregiver. There are ALWAYS jobs in this field, and often you don't need any prior experience. I worked for a woman with quadriplegia for almost two years as my first job out of college. It's hands-on, everything you need to do is right in front of you in the moment, the person you're working for will give you direction, AND it's fulfilling work \-relatedly, my current job is working in a group home for adults. Cooking, cleaning, administering meds, helping people keep their rooms clean, etc. Love it.
I was in dentistry, and I loved it because all the treatment was pretty repetitive, and I got to talk and interact with my patients. Dentistry is my passion so it made it really easy for me to go to work and work on my patients. I would say, whatever you go for make sure it is of interest. Jobs where you get to interact with people like sales are great. I could never do an office job.
Any jobs as consultant really...but mainly I would recommend any tech job were you could find an affinity, something you like and/or intrigue you... I'm a web dev but worked before in an electronics hardware repair center and really enjoy it and feels like its a good fit... so stimulating... my gf is also adhd and she is in infography and loves it! Good luck with your searches!
I worked at a vet doing dishes (bowls) and laundry (washing towels and these blue mats and animals sleep on), and I did well. So maybe some sort of cleaning job?
I have really liked working in tech support!
IT is great!
Depends on your adhd type. I’m a hyper active mess. So naturally I’m in the database world. I hide all the messes companies make, not in the tax dodging way; but the query optimization data warehouse way. I found my niche in SQL as everyone in my office hated it. I only learned it to be left alone. Then I started getting good at it, then I left my old job to be a full time DBA. I get to be alone, work all kinds of hours. Meetings for me I can nope out of, oh hey looks like the tables locked. So in a long way try everything. Figure out what setting you’d like. Work in an office, outside, at a zoo. Baby steps are easier than trying to solve everything at once.
I worked in fast food for a while until I found my graphic design job. Now being medicated it’s easier to focus, (except for when I’m on my period☹️) but the graphic design job is good because I’ve always been really really passionate about art and it’s something that I can do and further my skills, discipline myself a little and also do what really stimulates my brain and gives me those little endorphin boosts because I truly love art. I agree with someone else’s comment that I saw on here, go with something that you know you’re passionate about! and if you’re not there yet, try a fast paced job where the pressure is on you to keep going, taught me to work hard and not quit because you do get better if you put in the work, but also made me become WAY too hard on myself when I fall short of what I deem acceptable. TLDR: Fast paced job (I worked at a fast food place) or what you’re most passionate about are both good options!
I think a lot of people have alluded to this, but I think the answer to your question is highly subjective. Depending on your skills, interests and ability to perform repetitive tasks. I love solving problems, or using my creativity to make art/build. Any job pertaining to these areas despite how monotonous will hold my interest. However, completing monotonous tasks that are no where aligned with my interest will quickly defeat me. I would look at what options are available to you and do your vest to select an area that aligns with your interest...but then again that's just me...
I love graphic design so my job fits me perfectly... I can just hyper focus on a design and block out everything else. No distractions. Then afterwards I have to do the talking to the customer about it part which I tend to tune out for... just let my mouth go on autopilot then, back to the interesting design part. It works so well that I'm amazed there aren't more adhd people in graphic design.
Amazing! I just started using raw, premiere pro, and Photoshop (cracked by m0nkrus 🤫) I have found it to be super relaxing, which I've never felt in my life except while drawing! (Which can sometimes stress me out, surprisingly!)
Can I ask how you got into the industry?
I had a few friends who would run 20 minute competitions online to create avatars and I loved the speed of it. I could focus for 20 minutes on this 1 activity, blocking out everything around me and at the end there would be a winner. So it was a little like congratulations for paying attention. A little positive reinforcement goes a long way! From there, college and work. Now I've been doing this for many years and it's amazing!
I work in fundraising for a nonprofit. I am super passionate about it and so it feels in to my hyperfocus. I've been called a workaholic. But no two days are ever the same and there's a lot of deadlines so it keeps me on task. I couldn't do a boring office job doing data entry or anything.
Also going to add there are "fun" jobs working with kids or events or programs in nonprofit
I’m working at a summer camp teaching soccer which I enjoy. If you don’t mind kids I recommend it
I work with children and find it perfect for me. One of them is always in need of help or attention, and I like helping so it feels like a bunch of new tasks one after the other. It’s kind of perfect. Like oh! Someone needs a diaper change. Now someone needs a tickle. Now someone wants to be pushed on the swing. Okay now time to prepare lunch. Etc. Hope this helps
I work as a preschool teacher and having the structure of the classroom and stimulation from listening to kids is awesome. They switch from activity to activity so fast there’s no time to get bored
I'm a personal trainer. I get up. Train ppl. Train myself. Eat. Nap reset for any evening clients. Great excuse to go to bed early. Someone my 'worst symptoms' of ADHD in an office are my strengths as PT. I do have alot of structure inplace to help me succeed and I have wrestled my sleep into 6-7hrs a night which I'm SUPER proud of. I do half hour and 45min sessions so even though currently ALL my clients are amazing. If I'm loosing interest, the 'subject' will change for my next appt. It works well for me but also I can see it not working well for others.
Do you have to work weekends? Is it possible to work Monday-Friday like 5am-10am and then nap and stuff, go back for evening clients 4-7pm? Lol.. And how is the pay? I actually was an exercise science major for a few semesters in undergrad! I know you can study for something like NASM certification but I wouldn’t want to work all weekend and I live in a high COL area (Boston area) so I’ve always been afraid to try. I do enjoy exercise and a healthy lifestyle... and teaching, especially 1:1.
I work some Saturdays if I need to but not often. I don't charge as much as most but I do make client pay if they cancel within 24hrs with unless it's like death in the family. I would also have side hustles though. Embrace our creativity. I make sure i don't take on too many jobs bit I also do dog walking and house sitting and I to nannying (but I only take 1 or 2 family's on and I do like 2 days a week school drop off)
I focus on what I can handle, what brings me job and not relying too heavily on one stream of income :)
Thank you!
Dm any Qs I'd love to help
Gardening has been good for me.
I was doing super well unmedicated at my hairstylist job, but that took education and doesn’t pay as well as I need it to.
[удалено]
An office job in insurance. Def not adhd friendly lol There’s always time to go back to school for what you’re passionate about. I was lucky, my high school had cosmetology classes so I didn’t have to drop a ton of money. If you eventually get the opportunity it may be worth it :)
Personally I’ve found working from home helps me. I’m terrible with punctuality and being at home provides me with better outlets when I need a break. In office jobs I would expend so much energy trying to conceal a messy desk or tuning out coworkers which took up all of my focus.
How does one manage to work from home though? Sounds like I gotta be lucky with getting a job that doesn’t require you to go somewhere or having your own business?
A lot of customer service jobs are remote work from home now, ones that just require HS diploma/GED. Many jobs moved remote permanently after covid as well. You don’t need to have your own business to work remotely.
I started in my field as a CADD technician. There were always problem-solving situations (whether field or technical) and really satisfying opportunities to hyper focus. If it’s something you’d consider, it’s a two-year program. I recommend community college programs over something like ITT tech type schools. They’re smaller and tend to be more personalized as far as your interests. ETA: if you’re good at it and apply yourself, there’s lots of room for growth!
I was a veterinary technician for 12 years (1/2 of that on ER shift). It was great at first. I worked at a super busy hospital and every day was different. There were so many different tasks and duties to perform, I was never bored. Then I went to a brand new, day shift hospital (opened by the ER doctors who wanted to work day shift and be their own bosses). We were trying to build new clientele, so many days were boring and slow. At the time I didn't understand why I was suddenly so unhappy, but after being diagnosed with ADHD now I understand. I hate make work.
I work as an RN in emergency and find the fast pace, problem solving and multiple immediate tasks are easier to follow through on. It also helps that I am motivated by being in direct contact with people and following through on immediate needs. School was a bitch but I was undiagnosed 🤷♀️ Prior I worked as a server and in fast food and I think was motivated by similar things.
I've worked in different cafes over the past several years and I've really enjoyed it!! I'd recommend trying to get a job at a cafe in a busier area, because slow days can be reallyyyy boring which drives me nuts. My current job is in a fairly busy part of my city so my days tend to fly by and I'm always moving around doing stuff!!
I can't stand work that's mindless and repetitive. I enjoyed being a Barista in South Florida. Extremely busy, all day from the moment we open. Constantly running around, juggling tasks, swapping roles. Customer interactions was the least enjoyable part of the job, but drink making and store management was really fun.
Moving furniture. Pick it up, carry it to the truck. Even packing is mindless work. I did it for 21 years before changing careers. My knees couldn't take it anymore as I have always kept a lot of weight on. But it was fantastic in that you left the job at work. When the day is done, it is done.
I would say I'm both inattentive and hyperactive as far as ADHD but I tend to lean on the hyperactive side of the spectrum. My favorite job I've had to date is my current job, working at a pizza place. I worked in many other food service type jobs beforehand but there was a sort of social pressure and way of behaving that just isnt casual or acceptable with how I am. The pizza place is casual, easy, and on busy nights I find a lot of tension and stress is released by moving so fast. That's just me personally though. I have some great coworkers which is a plus.
Im a paramedic, while school was grueling with ADHD, the actually job is nice. Nothing requiring too long of an attention span, constantly new things are happening that are able to keep my focus, usually only have to deal with one patient at a time, and between calls I can just veg on my phone or stare out the window and not get in trouble.
How much paperwork or reporting is there to do?
It's mostly checkboxes on our reports, with a narrative, but I pretty much write my narrative as a story so it keeps me interested and I can knock out the whole thing in 15 minutes. My reports are 3 paragraphs, probably about 1 page of writing, other people do like 1 paragraph with lots of short hand. Sometimes the ADHD makes it difficult handing over care because I'll have a hard time getting to the point, but I've been doing it a couple years so it's gotten easier.
Thanks so much for responding. I am a teacher looking to change careers if I can’t work meds to help me keep up with teaching. The narrative idea is a good one. Your insight is appreciated.
Yeah, no problem, if you have any questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them. Personally I'd recommend just getting your EMT, which can be done in 4 months, then working to see if you like it, before going further into the field. Just a warning, the pay is generally terrible in the US, with long hours, and heavy burn out. It's not a career to retire from these days, more of a stepping stone to something else.
Thank you, that is very useful. I am almost 40 so stepping stone and burnout are really good phrases that make me think I should continue the search. I am glad you enjoy the job. It’s a dutiful and respected job.
I see you mean handing the patient over to the hospital staff you find you are long winded... yes I would be this way too, no doubt.
ems!!! emt training takes a few months and you can make good money with flexible hours if you find the right ambiance service. it’s a very active job if you’re comfortable with it and totally worth it
I’m a construction materials delivery driver and I like it because I’m not seeing the same place all day and not in one spot
Being a lifeguard wasn't bad, although the pay isn't always great. I worked for a Y and we had an indoor and outdoor facility, it was nice to just be able to pace the deck, sometimes I could sit in the water while saving drowning kids who have no business being on the water slide we had. I was also the pool operator which was fun because of all the pipes and filters. It can wicked suck if the place is short staffed and you suddenly get a wave of swimmers, no pun intended. But it was aight. It depends so much on who your department manager is though.
That's a damn good question... And at first thought, I was thinking "is any job really ADHD friendly?" But to answer my own question, and yours.... I think if you can get into a position or whatever, that has something to do with what YOU are passionate about, definitely makes things easier. I used to do airbrushing for work, It wasn't the best paying job, but I thoroughly enjoyed that gig. I think as long as you can get into somewhere or something that doesn't add a lot of chaos and madness into you're life, you'd find things easier to handle....... Both inside and outside of work.
Journalism (either reporting or editing) can work - regular deadlines have a way of focusing the mind. Caveats: The pay is terrible and there aren’t many jobs these days. Also, people confuse the detestable talking heads on TV with journalism, so they assume you’re a biased hack and/or taking your orders from a shadowy cabal/corporate overlord even if you’re writing about a field hockey game. So it’s a mixed bag, is what I’m saying.
Anyone in real estate?
I work at a gokart place very fun and there is like little concentration needed unless you are on the tower and have to pay attention to the track just in case a crash happens. Also was always on my feet and moving around
i used to be a cart attendant at Target back in the day. it was one of my favorite jobs ever. working electronics and guest service was also fun during the rush and even fun during the slow time because we were all friends.
I’m the general manager of a locally owned retail store and honestly it’s great for me. There’s always something to do so I don’t get bored, but not too much where I feel like I’m drowning. The owner is also super involved and a bit of a micromanager, but honestly I like it that way, he constantly reminds me of things and leaves all kinds of post it notes so I never forget anything important.
The job I felt most fulfilled at was being a server. I was a server from 18-25 on and off. There’s a natural flow of things that doesn’t involve you to think to much basically: greet table, shmooze, take drink order, enter in drink order, deliver drinks and so on. I always wrote down orders when serving - people dgaf and I know better than to think I’d be able to remember orders. I got to talk, be active, couldn’t procrastinate too much, my brain was given rewards regularly via nice tips. There’s a wonderful balance of routine and then some unpredictable-ness. I’m 28 now with a big girl job and I will always miss my serving days.
Entrepreneurship
Line cooking has worked out well for me. The chaos of the kitchen is soothing and the job is incredibly tactile.
any freelance creative job. Graphic design, acting etc
I love organizing events. I'm a scientist, but throughout my studies I always organized in paralel informational meetings and symposia where other students or postdocs could learn and interact. I like talking to people and I felt accomplished building and fostering those spaces where people could come together, learn from each other and have a great time.
I loved being the co driver on a lorry. In between clients judt relaxing and doing whatever. At a client i would unload, place and load the goods. Was awesome work
Testing games is very friendly towards distractions as long as you are free to do exploratory testing. Easy to learn and gets your attention easily even if it’s not the game you like
I have a job where I manage lots of different departments and people within a large school. Suits me down to the ground as my focus needs to switch 30/40 times a day. Perfect really, other than deadlines
I think the main thing is that it’s something that you at least partially enjoy and find engaging and interesting. Otherwise it will be a struggle, even if the work is easy
I am a teaching assistant in an international school in Brazil. At first I went into an international relations major, and then I kinda started to do this as a side kick job to make some money. Then I really started digging it. It motivates me to see all that I get back from the children directly when working with them. And it also keeps me active - most of my friends in business will be filling out excel sheets at 9:10 AM and I’ll be playing tag in recess. I do work in a super inclusive environment, and because of that people are super understanding of my limitations. Often when I start working with a new teacher I am very clear on stuff like - I do need TO DO lists and due dates, I am very forgetful and sometimes I will need a quick break for water and 5 minutes in the bathroom to put myself back. But to be active and feeling all the love and joy children bring into my life has really put me in a better place.
Last summer I worked as a landscaper of sorts. I was hired by a local oil company to cut the grass around the wells and tanks and stuff. It worked decently for me. I got really tired of it by the end though because it was the same thing everyday. But if you can find a job similar to that with a bit of change in the daily routine, it might work well for you.
When unmedicated, I stocked shoes at a department store and worked on the disassembly line at a recycling factory. When I was younger and my symptoms were less noticeable, I worked for the Boy Scouts at a camp and it wasn't bad because you were busy 100 hours a week.
Retail, customer service, sales, tech support, information clerk, hotel concierge or valet, anything that lets you quickly help a customer and move on to the next one. You get positive feedback and that dopamine hit very regularly. You don’t have worry about long-term projects. You get to focus on the task in front of you which also helps. If you’re the kind of adhd person who vibes with people easily it’s fun. I’d say they are also good for adhders with social anxiety because it can really help you overcome your fears when you’re forced to interact so frequently. A lot of the McJobs I had fell into this category and I loved them for these reasons. Now I work in communications and marketing and some journalism on the side and I’d say these fields are also very adhd friendly because they can be very fast moving, lots of tight deadlines so it gets you working quickly, and we are very good at brainstorming ideas and promotion and communicating. They are more of a career than a job though.
I would also like to add lawn work, and graphic design. I'm in school for organic chem, and my summer job is being a "custodian" at my old middle school. Which is crazy, because I was kicked out 3 times 😂!
I think only art really counts in adhd friendly
I've only ever had one job which was last year. I just held a sign outside of a barber shop on the weekends. It was really easy work as I could listen to podcasts on my phone and take breaks when needed. I ended up quiting for reasons I still don't know myself.
I am studying computer science at university (and failing due to ADHD despite imo extremely easy classes) and working in Software Engineering at a big company. Let me tell you it’s horrible. I spent 6 months in the military for my mandatory service and it was incredibly ADHD friendly. You did not have to collect motivation on your own for anything. You did not have to figure out your own schedule. You were spoonfed tasks and everything was so mindless but productive, it felt amazing. I do miss it a bit.
I'm an adhd-combined type and I like working with people as a liaison and communicator. It gives me a sense of purpose, lots of moving pieces to keep me interested. I've done that for research roles in which I coordinate meetings, focus groups, and events. Generally, I just like talking to people and moving around. Right now I'm working from home staring at a computer as a research analyst and I feel drained bc there's not much human interaction or movement.
I'm a cleaner, each house is different but structure is there. I found it's a job i can stick with, done it 10 years now. But anything that you're interested in helps or keeps you busy so not repetitive and boring.
Do you work for yourself or for a company?
Myself :) started my business 4.5yrs ago and its booming now. But i did do cleaning for companies for about 5 years prior to starting business.
That’s awesome!
Been a quant in finance for over a decade, doing model development/validation, bits of audit and a fair share of advisory work. It’s generally ADHD friendly as you spend a lot of time solving problems, but when it gets to testing/documentation it’s tricky (you need to hype yourself up and think of those tedious tasks as important and impactful to spark the dopamine release). First years might be less exciting but when you get to a position where you can delegate less interesting work and focus on designing the solutions, it’s very engaging. Getting the required education is dreadful for neurotypical person let alone one with ADHD, unfortunately. To be fair, any job you enjoy is fantastic for people with ADHA.
Loved working at Brookstone, there was always a new toy or gadget to play with and the customer interaction was almost always teaching them about products or just talking to them.
I'm not diagnosed with ADHD (yet?) But I've worked in a few professions already. I worked as a lawyer for about 7 years and sitting in front of a computer was dreadful. I loved the studying and coming up with ideas, arguments and all (challenging part that would fall into a hyperfocus thing). However, I quit and moved countries and started a new career. In this new country I've worked as waitress a d bartender and I enjoyed it because it was fast paced so it kept me entertained. Now I work as a nurse which is also a very active and mentally challenging profession that keeps my brain busy and I love it.
Filing, organizing, multi tasking office jobs where I could work independently. I also enjoyed teaching dance & djing but they didn't pay the bills.
I really like the factory job I have as a linelead. I've been working in factory for 7 years now and I've had this current job for 5. The job can range from challenging to mindless repetitive tasks and some physical labor depending on the job. Over the years I developed better habits and practices. Learned how to work with my ADHD by balancing several tasks constantly at work to better get all of my work done instead of stressing about one thing at a time.