Best advice for aspie picking which field to work

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I also hope it's not too late yet because even though I'm already at 26yo I haven't had any real compensated work jobs and I just do volunteer work today. Partly since I'm having a hard time really focusing and committed to deciding a specific field. What should I do if I have a couple fields that I feel possibly the same level of passion about? How much really does it matter choosing based on passion and interest vs. some other quality, is it supposed to be subjective based?

The answers to these questions will determine what advice I give:

1. Are you a high school graduate?

2. What degrees have you earned since high school?

3. Do you hold any professional licenses?

-I have graduated high school
-I did not get degrees since high school, but instead a few certificates (tell me more about that?)
-I do not hold any professional licenses (what are the ones needed to be licensed for?)

What certificates?

Edited by user for harsh content.

Last edited by Fnord on 13 Aug 2018, 8:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

No Fnord, that's too harsh. He has earned some certificates and done volunteer work. There are lots of jobs he might get.

Yes, ma'am. I withdraw the comment.

Still, it would be helpful to know what kind of certificates -- something equivalent to a two-year degree, perhaps?

I am a good fit for many tasks and professions but I am suited for some better than others. This selection is based on my strengths and weaknesses.

* I am honest but I fail to readily detect dishonesty.

* I can think out-of-the-box but I am shy and often will not speak up or give my opinion.

* I am a risk taker but I should make sure that I have good health insurance and life insurance policy.

* I am a subject matter expert but I find it difficult to communicate orally.

So when I consider jobs that I or other Aspies might gravitate towards as a profession, one might consider (do I have a good skills fit, how do my particular strengths and weakness fit, are there many or few openings in this profession).

For example - I could be a good janitor. It is a rewarding job. There is little stress because I repeat the same tasks day in and day out. Routine is my friend. There are many openings for this career field. But probably the profession doesn’t pay very well and I might find it difficult to support myself and a family.

I could be a teacher – I would be very competent as a subject matter expert but find it difficult to verbally communicate this information and may find it difficult to control the classroom because of my prior experience with being bullied.

I could become a professor at a university – this is a better fit but there are very few openings in this profession and it requires years and years to gain a PhD, perform post doctorial work, and wait for an opening to materialize.

I might make a good soldier but there are times when I will disobey a direct order because sometimes the orders given are dead wrong – my INTJ personality type.

I might make a good scientist, but there are few jobs for scientist unless you become a teacher. You will probably need to have a Master’s degree to work as a lab assistant and a PhD to really be able to call yourself a true scientist and perform research.

So consider all the professions and make sure you down select a good fit, before you start your journey in college. Or the other route is to learn a trade, such as electrician, plumber, carpenter.

That's all well and good; but unless a potential employer is presented with documentation of a person's strengths, he or she is not likely to take that person's word for it.

Or, as one great philosopher put it...

Well I had just got out from the county prison
Doin' 90 days for non-support
Tried to find me an executive position
But no matter how smooth I talked
They wouldn't listen to the fact that I was genius
The man said, "We got all that we can use."
Now I got them
Steadily depressin', low down mind-messin'
Workin' at the carwash blues.

Well I should be sittin' in an air conditioned
office with a swivel chair
Talkin' some trash to the secretary, sayin',
"Hey now mama, come on over here."
Instead I'm stuck here rubbin' these fenders with a rag
And walkin' home in soggy old shoes
With them steadily depressin', low down mind-messin'
Workin' at the carwash blues

You know a man of my ability
He should be smokin' on a big cigar
But till I get myself straight,
I guess I'll just have to wait
In my rubber suit rubbin' these cars.

Well, all I can do is just shake my head
You might not believe that it's true
For working at this end of Niagara Falls
Is an undiscovered Howard Hughes

So baby, don't 'spect to see me
With no double martini
In any high-brow society news
Cause I got them
Steadily depressin', low down mind-messin'
Workin' at the carwash blues.

"Workin At The Car Wash Blues" -- Jim Croce (1943-1973)

Generally when you down select a career field, you undergo training whether it be college or technical school or apprenticeship. If you select a career field, undergo the training and then find out that you are unsuited for the job because of some of your Aspie traits, it is probably the wrong time to question your career choice. This should really occur prior to obtaining the training.

Wish Hollywood Guy would come back and share what his certificates and volunteer work are in. Then we might give him some useful concrete suggestions.

Then for you the best choice would be to take an ASVAB test -- the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.

It's free.

I hadn't thought about that but "yes" that really makes a lot of sense. And the military is always one of the career options available. And generally those that serve and leave with an honorable discharge have some doors that open for them. They have a proven track record for work and serving the nation.

And even if he takes the test just to find out his aptitude and what he is likely to be good at, like you said it is free.

It is funny you suggested that because a half century ago when I took the test, the military almost busted down doors trying to recruit me on the spot because I scored one of the highest scores they had ever seen.

If you are disabled you can take tests through vocational rehabilitation too. My tests told me to go into the scientific field...