Thoughts On Work Experience.

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In Britain we used to have work experience schemes which became exploited as many employers took advantage. But I was thinking. These scemes found someone an experience of the trade.... But it was a single trade. What it lacked which would have been really useful for a potential employee would be to try work experience in many different trades because when one leaves school, one often does not know what sort of things one is good at. I had my two special interests where I would liked to work in one or the other (And I found that through my working history I have only once (Apart from very short jobs of a day or a few days which were usually voluntry work)worked in a job that wasn't part of one of my special interests) and I did end up eventually in finding work in both my hobbies. But what I lacked at an early age is that I didn't know what was out there and what would have suited me. Many professions I may have been excellent at but I would never have considered them. If I could have a few days here and a few days there to get to know what they all do and what is involved, it would open my eyes up a bit to the possibilities...

And that is what is lacking as soo many are leaving school where the traditions of following into the trade of ones fathers footsteps is no longer an option (Which is sad but in another way some of us may not have the same tallents as our Dads... My Dad never pushed me to follow his line of work as for a start, I don't like heights! But for many, they had generations of following their fathers trade).
So for many leaving school, they simply don't have a clue what they want to do or what they are really good at. I didn't have a clue so I did two years in college (More like collage to me! Haha) and I then sort of slipped into a job where my secondary special interest was, as I was hanging out at lunchtimes in a bicycle shop not far from the college. I started making myself handy as I enjoyed working with bikes anyway. I was in my element...And things progressed from there. But I never had a plan. It just all fell into place.

But if we all were able to leave school and try a few trades. Not just look round, but follow a skilled worker and see what he or she does from their perspective... (And we can make ourselves useful while we are there if the type of work allows us to)... And we can really get a foresight into what sort of work we would be suited for and would like to do, and the employers can also get to see us and pick out our natural tallents, and encourage us... (And in some cases it will provide us with a job!).

I'm off topic MG but just wanted to say thank goodness you found WP, you are a gift to all. I hope that you will find peace with your diagnosis , some financial assistance and help and advice for your executive functioning.

That is exactly what Roses for Autism did. Yes, they thought people on the spectrum would be a good fit for agricultural work. But then they realized they could train people in all sorts of jobs; telemarketing, making flower arrangements, driving a delivery truck, running web site, just to name a few that I remember.

I wasn't going to join but I had a question to ask and I needed answers... And since joining I have been soo relieved to know I am not alone in the things I have been facing. Also, I would be in such a mess and not even know why. I really feel for others who are in a mess and don't know why. I never knew what to call shutdowns. Never heard the term. Never had associated myself as having autism traits. I just thought I was different. I have not been assessed yet though.

Yes. I need to be sensible in what sort of work I will take as I want a job to avoid shutdowns...