I’ve been in and out of so many different jobs. Usually I get to a point where I burn out and just can’t go in anymore. Best job I ever had was as a tour guide in a distillery telling people facts all day and working with what I now realise was a whole bunch of other neurodivergent people. Only left that because I wasn’t paid enough to live. Honestly could have stayed there forever otherwise. Such is life!
Currently in the middle of a career change after realising the whole 9-5 office job life isnt sustainable for me. I’m hoping to be able to work for myself soon and not be beholden to other people’s schedules!
What jobs have you tried out over the years? What has worked well for ye?
I got a job in R&D and it’s great. I also work for a great company so there’s that. I lead the Neurodivergent Support Group for my company! I really got lucky as I realize so many of us have issues with employment.
Research and development right?
That’s cool that there’s a support group for that! What kind of support do you provide?
When I was leaving one of the many office jobs that didn’t work out I had a heart to heart with my boss about why I was leaving and that looking into getting diagnosed with something (I struggle so much with holding on to employment). She heavily implied that a lot of people in the organisation were what you could call neurodivergent. I wonder if there had been a group like that if it could have made a difference!
We do a little bit of everything. We meet monthly and we keep it open forum so anyone can bring topics and get advice, support, or celebrate a win. We also do manager trainings on different conditions, walk people through the accommodations process, and mediate employee/manager issues. I’ve also done a couple of interviews and panels for different parts of the company. One of which they used clips of for Instagram. I was pretty excited about that.
Having the group has saved my career. I just need that extra support and understanding.