I am unemployed and have two college degrees. I am attending grad school part time and I am looking for a job I can do from home on the computer. Can anyone give me any ideas? I love doing work on the computer.
Robin,
Well going to school is one way to get to where you are trying to get to! Schooling offers ADDers structure, which is often really difficult to keep in check. I have worked in the field of secretarial, business administration, management, logistics, philanthropy, human services, amongst others. Even worked from home with an online company for a while. Since every ADDer is distinctly different in their abilities, it would suffice to say that whatever job you do decide upon, it has to be something that you are passionate about, the reason behind that concept is that because of the lack of focus on things that do not hold our interest, if we find the job that makes us "tick" nothing could take our interest away from it. (Hyperfocus)
If you like the computer (like I do) then something along the lines of researcher, medical billing, or web-based marketing. If you get bored doing simple jobs or tasks that have no variation of intensity, no deadlines, and no meaning then perhaps working hands-on with people is a better choice. Good luck
I have had a job that I was really successful at with ADHD for over 9 years and then a few that didn't work out so well....lol. Contemplating a career change, I tried to examine what about the jobs worked well and what didn't and search for (or avoid!) those same characteristics in my next job. I don't know if it's my ADD or my personality, but here's what I came up with -
What worked well -
1) Having 5 or 6 discreet projects to work on at a time. Variety, but not overwhelming.
2) Clear, inflexible client deadlines - helped me prioritize, and the adrenalive rush near the deadline helped me complete the project
3) Having enough autonomy to work how I wanted - get up walk around if needed, work a few hours at night, etc
What didn't work -
1) Looser deadlines, or "as soon as possible" deadlines - I couldn't prioritize and everything sat uncompleted forever.
2) Hundreds of emails daily that required action - either to delegate, respond to or discuss. Again, I couldn't prioritize and the volume was paralyzing. I felt like I was bombarded with pin pricks all day long and I often sat in front of my email feeling like I was working, but not accomplishing anything.
3) An ADHD boss - her unpredictability reved up my anxiety
Your list of what works and what doesn't might be different, but if you get a short list going it might help you in your decision-making. :-) Good luck!