wralyn wrote:
Do you have any temp agencies around? If you approach them with a general direction (office, manufacturing, etc.) they will usually give you a battery of tests to see what your strengths are. Don't sell yourself short. Let them make that assessment. I'm 42 and was laid off a couple of years ago. I worked for the same company for nearly 15 years and all my skills were based around their product. It was worth a lot to them...not so much to the rest of the world. Now, I'm basically starting over and trying to find my new niche in the world. It's frustrating, for sure. Best of luck.
That's how I built up my skills--through temp agencies. I had gone to school for graphical illustration but wasn't finding much work in my field, or it didn't pay well. I started out doing low-level clerical stuff like data entry, answering phones, and filing. I eventually showed an aptitude for software, and started getting more complex secretarial stuff. Eventually I started learning some graphics software and got hired by a big company after temping for three years. They trained me in web site development, and now I do that regularly. I actually enjoyed temping--I got to see different places and see what sort of place I would like to work at, without being pulled into confusing, annoying office politics.
Also check and see if there is any rehabilitation training for people with disabilities where you live. The state I live in (Maryland) has a Department of Rehabilitation Services, which tests you for aptitudes and interests, and then gets you placed in training (such as an apprenticeship to learn a trade or college to get a degree). My wife was physically disabled in a car wreck, and she went through one of these programs.
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Diagnosed Bipolar II in 2012, Autism spectrum disorder (moderate) & ADHD in 2015.