5 Tips on Finding The Right Career

Finding the right career path is difficult. It can even be harder for individuals with ADHD because we can get really excited about certain subjects then lose interest quickly. 

This makes it hard to pick a field and stick with it through education and interviews and entry level jobs for careers we might not be sure we even want.

Also, the idea of having only one career for the rest of your life sounds boring.

Good news though, you can have multiple careers and jobs over the years. You have time to try out jobs you think might be interesting and switch as you figure out what works best for you.

I’ve had 17 jobs over the past 13 years and I finally found a job in IT which I absolutely love and I write this blog in my free time. 

Here are my tips on finding a career that’s best for you.

1. Identify your strengths and passions: Take some time to reflect on your skills and interests. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? What kind of activities give you a sense of fulfillment? This self-awareness can help you determine what kind of career would be a good fit for you.
   
   1. For example, I could talk for hours and hours about self improvement, study tips, and ADHD. I also love writing. This made blogging about ADHD a natural next step.
   2. If there’s anything that you get excited about, or have wanted to do since you were a kid, look into it from a money-making perspective. Remember that people have made money off of doing makeup, telling jokes, and building Lego structures. 
      
2. Do your research: Research different careers that align with your interests and skills. Look at job descriptions, required qualifications, and growth opportunities. Consider speaking with people who work in those fields to get a better understanding of what the job entails and whether it would be a good fit for you.
   
   1. When I was searching for the job I now have, I was looking for terms like “Entry Level IT jobs”, “Helpdesk Technician”, “Associates Degree in Computer Science”. These brought me to the jobs that fit best for me.
      
3. Take career assessments: There are many online assessments that can help you identify your strengths and match them with potential career paths. These assessments can help you explore different careers and provide guidance on what kind of jobs you might enjoy.
   
   1. While I was in school, I took a couple of personality and career tests. The first was the Strong Interest Inventory Test which recommended career paths and the second was CliftonStrengths34 test, which helped sort my personality strengths and weaknesses.
   2. I highly recommend both tests. Tests like these are not final and always the exact fit, but they can give you a starting point and also alert you on your weaknesses or which careers are less likely to be a good fit for you.
      
4. Consider your values: Your values play an important role in your career choice. Think about what matters most to you, such as work-life balance, social impact, or financial stability. Look for careers that align with your values and priorities.
   
   1. I am very passionate about helping others. I also don’t want anyone to feel like they’ve wasted years of their lives due to not understanding their brain on ADHD, like I have. Having this blog allows me to feel like I’m making a difference by offering advice on navigating ADHD.
   2. If there are any social or societal issues that you feel passionately about, like childhood hunger, or racial discrimination, are there careers that you can pursue that make a difference in those concerns? Or you might want to work from home, or travel, or work with customers. Find a job that makes you feel the best about your impact on the community and fits with what type of work environment you find the most comfortable.
      
5. Try things out: Consider doing internships, volunteering, or taking on part-time work in industries or roles that interest you. This can help you gain valuable experience, make connections, and get a better sense of what you enjoy and what you don’t. It can also help you build a network of contacts and gain valuable insights into different career paths.
   
   1. You might be in a situation where it’s not easy to get direct on the job experience. For example, if you were curious about the medical field but didn’t want to spend years in school before finding out that it’s not the right path, you might do something that requires little to no school, but the medical field is adjacent.
   2. I worked as a receptionist in a doctor’s office and also took a six week EMT course. While this obviously wasn’t the exact same as being a medical professional, it allowed me to be close to the medical field and helped me to learn that healthcare wasn’t for me. This was nice because I didn’t have to spend more time and money going to school to find out that career path wasn’t right for me.

I hope this helps you find a good starting point for your career search. 

It did take me a while to find the right job and it’s okay if it takes you a while, too. 

Just be patient and be open to trying new jobs and opportunities. Good luck!