It is amazing what you will do for money or to stay close to a job you like. The hardest thing in th world is when you are great at something but there is a rut in your road. Working office work is not exciting in the least. I would find a way to job shadow or go to an employment office and get them to test you on what your best qualities are. If nothing else, you will find what you are good at and what the fastest--most interesting career choice is

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Job. I didn't think a job like this could ever be present. I work from home on an e-commerce site that is wonderful for an ADD or ADHD adult. First of all this e-commerce site is 100% free. No hidden costs, no cost for the start up, No cost for the customer service and the power point presentation was made especially for audio and visual learners. I am a night owl and this is a business that you can run at any hour. No surveys....not one, No MLM...not even close. No at home parties, nothing that requires an uncomfortable feeling that many ADDers may have. I was broke due to having PTSD and depression. I was broke. A very close friend found out about this site through her good friend and once I watched their presentation, I knew that this would work for me. If I get stuck they provide great customer service. I am getting on my feet for the first time in years and making good money with the potential to make a great living. I am finally feeling good about myself again. I am living by Bryan Hutchinson's code again. I want to get up and I feel good. If anyone is interested in information in regards to this opportunity feel free to email me karenvwezel@hotmail.com I would happy to share this with someone that finds it tough doing the 9-5 deal, enjoys what they are doing, likes creativity, and has absolutely no risk whatsoever. Smile, Karen

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First of all, look for jobs that require you to think on your feet. I was in Radio for 28 years and radio or TV news is an AWESOME place for a new career for a poli-sci-mass com major. May have to intern to get in but it's totally worth it! I'm changing careers because now I look more like someone's grandmother than someone's rock-n-roll hoochie-coo. So I'm getting my Master's in Elem Ed because both jobs require you to "fly by the seat of your pants" and think on your feet, so boredom is never an issue. We thrive on busy-ness, so think adrenaline rush. 911 dispatcher, PBX operator, reporter, entrepreneur, promotions manager, elem teacher, ski instructor, aerobics instructor, fundraiser/manager for non-profit, realtor, outside sales, veterinary technician or ER technician. Think of what you love, and think of the busiest job in that area with the least amount of paperwork. But remember, they ALL have some kind of paperwork and you'll have to develop self-discipline and skills in handling organization and deadlines. I know! That's what I'm having to do after spending 28 years in a career with NADA paperwork. Having to pay the piper now! ;O

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Hi: If you like google, MAPP. They have a free intensive test of about 75 questions that will give you a great feeling for what you are good at, how you work with others, and what motivates you etc. Short version (a teaser) is free. I paid arounf $25 for the full 19 or so pages and is an eye opener. I took this before I was diagnosed with ADHD. I am 57. G

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Funny how one feels a kinship with someone when their age and situation are similar. I am also 31 and feeling the need to find a different path in terms of career.

Quick profile: Bachelors degree in Psychology, minor human geography Sp Ed Assistant Certification 10+ yrs working w/ school age children, swim instructor, community support worker, Autism Behavioural therapist, tutor, Sp Ed Ast past yr @ work: medication adjustments affected work performance, very disrespectful teacher, reported to HR for false accusation of taking sick days when not during Olympics, diagnosed w/ hyperthyroidism got so bad that I was crying late at night that I didn't want to go to work

I've always had the plan about my career: get certified as SEA b/c I could do it p/t while I worked as one in on call use the job as stepping stone, padding for resumé go back to school p/t to get teaching qualifications (special prog for ppl w/ degree + experience in school age child related work) do some extra courses to get specialization in learning disabilities possibly work on call as teacher and/or SEA afterwards have children and work as Orton-Gillingham (OG) tutor from home get Masters degree related to learning disabilities work in education field related to LD (curriculum development, educational consultant, researcher, professional development speaker?) get PhD in related field help revamp school system so less children are being overlooked (intensive teacher training to make learning more interactive, or offer the option for traditional classes or more experiential format)

Other "Maybe Someday" goals: work at a school for ppl w/ LD, ADHD, et al establish day camp for kids w/ LD, ADHD that incorporates tutoring (OG &/or traditional) and activities in afternoon, and other therapeutic activities: Brain Gym, Swim & Gym, meditation, neurolinguistic programming, yoga.. establish bursasy foundation for kids who can't afford to go to specialized schools

The problem: after having worked in public school system for several yrs, I'm not sure if I want to be a teacher, too much politics and cr@ppy teaching conditions that prevent effective learning past academic performance not good b/c late diagnosis of gifted/LD+anxiety disorder+ADHD self-doubt money constraints unclear about how to go about finding how to get there...

Ideas: go check out info sessions for programs for teaching cert interview ppl who have jobs similar to my goals start a binder with info re: possible opportunities

I was offered a summer job as day camp leader next summer to plan and run a OG/tutoring day camp for kids with LD etc. with swim lessons in afternoon. It's my former boss from when I worked as a Lifeguard/swim instructor at university. I was hoping for something closer to home

I was trying to get tutoring clientele this summer, but it didn't work out as well as I wanted.

Having typed all this out, I realize that I should take the opportunity to set up the day camp next summer.

Anyone who'd like to offer encouragement greatly appreciated.

As for Tue original poster, I encourage you to start by writing out your dream job what kind of things would you be doing? where would it be? (geographical location, type of working physical working environment) what would be the purpose of your job?

Then look for companies/organizations that are doing similar work Contact people who work there and ask for informational interview Find out their educational background, experiential background

Look for programs/courses/certification you can obtain that relate to your goal career

Not to be conceited, but it's so much easier for me to give practical, step by step advice to others than to follow it myself

How silly is it that you are going through the same situation as I am and I feel I'm also in need of help.

I think I need encouragement.

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First off, let me take a moment to say "hello" from a new member to this forum. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and just finished up my second therapy session. Today's discussion surrounded the stagnate, nearly crippling, feeling I derive from my workplace. Sitting behind a computer all day is not my cup of tea. Part of my problem is that I have been doing this work for over 20 years in one form or another. My solution has always been to move on to another company. I do this because my resume supports it and, like most of us, I have financial responsibiilites. However, she asked me something interesting today. She asked me what would be the worst thing that would happen if I just up and quit my job. My answer was "bankruptcy". She told me she didn't think that would happen knowing what she knows about me thus far. Then she asked me what I wanted to do. WOW! What a hard time I had answering that....so hard in fact, that I couldn't answer that. So, she directed me to start with a list of my values. Then start looking at ALL job possibilities, not just those that fit my resume. Then if I should stumble upon something that sounds intriguing, and it match my value set, perhaps I could pursue it. I thought it was pretty good advice. I guess time will tell, since I am going to take that approach. In the meantime, I thought I would share it. Has anyone on this forum taken this approach with any success/failure?

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