Career day at wp

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My son has finally accepted the fact that he is indeed an aspie. He has no problem with it and no feelings of inadequacy AND he asked me to run a post asking members what they do for a living and how they were schooled for their occupations. He's going into 9th grade next year and wants to get some ideas for a career search. I'm pleased because he's finally actively focusing on his future instead of lamenting about how he doesn't fit in in social circles.

i was educated to be a teacher, but my last paid job was to work in a retail store at minimum wage. i've had at least 30 jobs in 25 years.

employment is tough for many aspies. i hope your son is successful

I trained as an automotive mechanic straight out of school via an apprenticeship.
Promoted to workshop foreman shortly after I completed my training due to my seemingly amazing abilities( ) to diagnose any electronic,hydraulic or mechanical problem. Automotive problems are diagnosed by very simple progressive fault finding techniques.
My ASD allows me to 'see' a fault so easily, I used to think all the other mechanics were a bit thick.

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Owned a micro business delivering liquor. A truck driver. Minimal people contact
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Specialist driver. Driving all and everything on and off ships. Minimal people contact

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Stevedore or Longshoreman if you're an American. Not so good, lots of people and I don't do social too well.
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Mobile slewing crane driver Minimal people contact
Foreman of Stevedores/Longshoreman. Really not happy in this position as I have to deal with a large range of individuals face to face.

I would recomend Tony Attwood's book The Complete Guide To Aspergers, it has a section on employment and the how and why. Very good book

I've worked in a factory for three years and I was a dustman for 5 years. I also worked at a chocolate factory for a year.

i studyed graphic arts and wial i was schooled for that i joined the painters union and worked there for 10yrs.
hard times through this downed econ. just signed up for classes in collage this week, start next week.

Many aspies find careers associated with computers either as programmers, network bods, or technicians. It suits the personality of many of us - lots of logical interaction with minimal human interaction.

Grammar, spelling and punctuation skills + BA degree in Mass Communications + hyperfocus = Post-production closed captioning editor. And minimal people contact/social skills needed.

Studied Journalism, couldn't find a job.
Worked as a cleaner, then Banquet server.
Then filed Court Documents but got fired.
Then ran heavy equipment at a rubbish dump until the department was disbanded.
Went for computers, got a job testing Router circuit boards until company cut back number of employees.
Did phone troubleshooting for home computers until company (see above).
Worked copying court documents until I annoyed one of the longtime employees.
Got a job being an assistant to a real estate salesman and mortgage broker until market fell flat.
Presently working in a call center troubleshooting computers for a chain grocery store company.
(Cue the music for "What a Long Strange Trip It's Been.)

At first I was pushed into school even though I had no clue what I should be doing. Went to broadcasting trade school mostly because it was hands on learning. Eventually became a Control Room Operator. Basically sitting in a room full of video tape machines, satellite receivers, commercial tapes, and log books. It's one reason I chose the screen name Videodrome.

Eventually let go of that job when the recession hit and did truck driving. I went through a CDL mill. I agreed to drive for one company for one year and if I completed that contract my CDL school tuition would be waived. I managed to do 2 years. This kind of thing demands driving skill and spatial awareness. Also, there are to many ridiculous regulations from the Department of Transportation.

Because of the dumb rules I quit trucking and drove and Expedited Cargo Van for about 6 months. That was a very interesting job and a good driver with a sense for business could make something with that. I walked away because of uncertain fuel prices and because I decided to try college again.

For now, I'm halfway though an Associates program in Cyber Security. I think this career path has potential so I'll see what happens when I graduate. I'm learning Linux and also Pen Testing and Computer Hacking. I think the mix of Technology and Strategy appeals to me.

I have recently been hired at my first "job" as a volunteer at a thrift store. My first day is on Monday. (I was supposed to start on Thursday, but a freak snowstorm made driving impossible.)

I only got average marks in my HSC so I ended up not getting into any of my chosen degrees at uni (environmental science and natural resources) even with a school principles recc. So I went to TAFE and enrolled in their 2 year Advanced Diploma in Accounting. A business career was kinda my second choice and I was better at the business and commerce subjects than I was at my science subjects, but I liked the science subjects more.

Anyway I finished the advanced diploma and then spent the next 12 months job seeking. I had a 2 week temp job with the local council in their accounts payable section (my father pulled the strings to get me that one) but that was it until I got a full time job with the firm I still work at today.

I tried to start a degree in financial administration in 2006 in order to advance my career but I found it too much work on top of working. Last year I decided to re-attempt uni and I started a commerce degree majoring in accounting. I don't want to be in the same job, on the same lower level wage for the rest of my life so I hope uni provides me with a good ticket out. I'll have 15+ years experience by the time I finish the CPA program...

I'm kinda mad at myself for wasting the last 8 years not getting anywhere career wise, but I guess I was convinced that the level I was at was all I was capable of.

Left high school in year 11, and I am on a disability pension (due to AS). Just living is pretty much my job (it's hard enough).

I am currently taking courses to get my payroll certification while working part-time as a clerk for a hardware store. I went to college and completed a diploma in business and also did an internship at a hotel working as a night auditor. I am planning on getting a job in the payroll field and I also want to do a post-graduate certificate in human resources after I get my payroll certification.

Career Cruising is a useful site for career research. It's only available to teachers/staff at high schools in my country, however, I was able to get login information from my high school. There is a career matchmaker test under the assessments tab.

The username is 'hastings' and the password is '16570'.

CareerCruising

Have been a cleaner for the past 8 months or so, on three separate locations. Right now, I'm at city hall, cleaning offices. 4 months ago, cleaned at a sports center for disabled children. Before that, cleaned planes at the airport.

I also worked serving coffee at a university, and I've worked at a conveyor belt factory for 6 months in 2011. Before that, I worked at a book repair shop for 2 years.

I've no education to speak of, and attempts to find an appropriate education have met with failure. I either lack the funds for the study, or the will to study at all. I'm happy enough that I have a job right now so I can buy my bread. I constantly worry that I might screw up and end up on the street in the near future.

For the love of goodness, may your son stay in school.

I have been working for about six months now at my first "real," as in making enough to live on, job. I am a field service engineer installing and maintaining silicon wafer fab equipment (clean room environment). This job involves a lot of direct interaction with the customer and other people on the site, as well as within my own company. It involves being able to meet unexpected customer requests on a regular basis. But, I get to work on neat and very expensive equipment!

I had my doubts about being able to handle the stress of the people part of it, but I believe it is something that is possible to learn if one truly values their job and wants to continuously improve at what they do. So I wouldn't rule out jobs that require human interaction until he tries them first. I know not all people with AS can handle it (and I mean no offense to them), but trying it first is the way to find out. These days, having any job at all is pretty lucky!

I went to a state college for my Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, although my job was open to anyone with a college degree and/or industrial experience as long as the interviewers thought they were qualified. If your son can stick it out through college, it should help get him into more jobs than he would be able to otherwise.