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ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) affects the way people focus, manage time, and stay organized, which can sometimes complicate day-to-day tasks. However, it’s not just about challenges, as it also comes with strengths like high energy levels, creativity, quick problem-solving, and hyperfocus. No doubt these strengths are helpful in a corporate environment, but they can also make 9-to-5 desk jobs repetitive and mundane.
Working at a traditional job can be difficult for people with ADHD as they come with challenges like boredom, distractions, and time management.
These jobs have proven to be some of the worst careers for ADHD individuals. On the contrary, working as a writer, teacher, photographer, paramedic, and tradesperson will be more fulfilling for you. If you have ADHD, you need to find something that genuinely piques your interest and allows the use of your creativity.
These are the best career choices for people with ADHD that pay well and are fun.
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1. Teacher
Teaching is a highly rewarding, energetic, and dynamic job that helps channel the constantly changing thoughts in a more productive way. As teaching requires you to stay on your feet to quickly analyze and react to changing situations, it keeps your mind occupied. You must also be creative when searching for ways to teach a difficult topic or planning an engaging activity for your class.
As a teacher, you must interact with several students constantly and simultaneously and engage in different activities, which helps prevent boredom. At the same time, the structured schedule makes it easier to track day-to-day activities. If you prefer structure and routine and want to work in an institution like a school or college, you will need a degree or certification in education or related fields. You can also explore online tutoring jobs to teach course material or languages, or even skills like photography, musical instruments, drawing, and more, which don’t require a professional degree.
2. Graphic Designer
A 2020 study supports the idea that ADHD comes with a higher capacity for creative thoughts and accomplishment, making graphic designing one of the best jobs for people with ADHD. If you love drawing and appreciate balanced compositions and high-quality graphics, you can try graphic designing. It is a creative job where your thoughts are focused on designing logos, posters, or even designing a character.
If you prefer working on your own time, you can become a freelancer, have flexible hours, and choose project-based work to keep things fresh. While your clients won’t ask for a design degree, you must have a portfolio, if you’re working as a freelancer or even full-time. Luckily, you can explore free graphic designing platforms, like Canva and Figma to experiment with different tools and templates and build your portfolio.
With this portfolio, you can apply for high-paying jobs, and directly connect with clients on social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.), or on freelancer platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com.
3. Photographer/Videographer
If art, films, design, and editing are something that you love, becoming a photographer or videographer like Ansel Adams or a director like Martin Scorsese can be a fun job for you that also pays well. As this job requires you to run around capturing moments, it will keep your thoughts engaged and is also great for your fitness. If static is more your speed, becoming a wedding photographer, shooting for brands and products, or creating content for social media are some of the best opportunities for you. As the cherry on top, no degree is needed to be a photographer or videographer.
Easy access to great phone cameras has made it easier than ever to start your career as a photographer or videographer. When starting, you can take free or low-paying gigs and create your portfolio. For example, if you are interested in photographing portraits, you can ask your friends to volunteer and use it as your portfolio when pitching clients or marketing your services on social media.
4. Journalist/Writer
Becoming a writer or journalist is one of the best jobs for introverts, especially if you love reading and can express yourself better on paper. Writing is a work-from-home job that pays well, engages your focus, and requires you to be creative. Also, as you need to research and write about different topics, it will keep things exciting, while the deadlines will keep you focused and engaged, and help with time management.
Also, opportunities as a writer are practically endless as you can write about current events as a journalist, become an author of books, or even help clients market their products and services. You can choose a structured schedule by working full-time, or have more flexibility by working as a freelancer. For these jobs, you might need a portfolio, which you can create by writing sample blogs or articles about things you are interested in or for the jobs you are applying to.
5. Software Developer/Programmer
Solving puzzles is not just good for developing cognitive skills but also comes with the instant satisfaction of solving the problem, making it even more fun. Software developers and programmers solve puzzles for a living, albeit these puzzles are more challenging and need a deep understanding of coding languages. If hyperfocus and problem-solving skills are on top of your resume, you can explore software development and programming, as it is a job that can pay over 200k in a year and also challenges you in a good way. Many top companies like Dell, Microsoft, Apple, and Google hire software developers for both freelancers and full-time roles, giving you the freedom to choose your working hours.
As a complete newbie, you can take online courses offered by platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity. They’ll teach you programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, and C++. If you want to speed up your learning curve, you can attend coding bootcamps where they teach real-world applications. It wouldn’t hurt to take some time to familiarize yourself with open-source technology like blockchain, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. You’ll come across these buzzwords everywhere you go.
6. Paramedic
Working in high-energy environments like a hospital is a good fit for people with ADHD as it helps them stay focused, allowing them to perform better under pressure. Being a paramedic is an active, hands-on job best suited for people who prefer to stay on their feet and despise desk jobs. While you would surely be engaged working as a paramedic, it can also be a high-pressure job with unique challenges. You should be able to work in stressful situations as it is a part of the job description.
The adrenaline rush of working as a paramedic balances out the constant and quickly changing thoughts of someone with ADHD, making it highly compatible with their needs. To work as a paramedic, you must complete Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training. After getting certified, you can apply for paramedic positions or start by gaining experience through volunteer programs. This can also be a good stepping stone to becoming a community or advanced care paramedic.
7. Chef
Whipping out delicious meals is a good trade job for people with ADHD because as a chef, you work in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment where every second counts. From running around different stations to working with other chefs in a synergy, cooking is active work that gives you little time to feel bored. A restaurant’s kitchen is an organized space where you need to be alert to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
Some professional chefs attend culinary school and undergo years of training under experienced chefs to learn trade secrets and techniques. If you already have hands-on experience feeding countless family members, opening a private catering business can be a good opportunity. You can also open a food truck as you make independent decisions and sell whatever you want, which can range from your favorite tacos or something with a unique twist.
If you love baking goodies in your spare time, you can make money baking cookies, cakes, and cupcakes at home and selling them locally. List your baked products on Facebook Marketplace and Instagram and work towards getting a license to operate a home bakery.
8. HVAC Technician
While others are stuck in offices, you could be an HVAC technician, driving around the city and helping homeowners and businesses stay cool during heat waves and warm in the winter. As an HVAC technician, you’ll install and maintain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in both residential and commercial buildings. No two days will be the same, as every job brings a new challenge.
To work as an HVAC technician, you must take an HVAC certification course. As you also need hands-on training, you can take apprenticeships with under-skilled technicians to build your skills, while learning about different tools and industry methods. This will also help you boost your confidence and connect with potential customers. There are multiple work opportunities for an HVAC technician, like working independently, on a contract, or with local HVAC companies. If you are a jack of all trades and want to improve your skill set, you can learn skills like carpentry, electrical work, or plumbing and become a one-man army.
9. Flight Attendant
Becoming a flight attendant is a dream job for many. Nothing beats the excitement of getting paid to travel and explore different countries! Becoming a flight attendant is exciting yet demanding as you help passengers with their safety, luggage, seats, and refreshments, requiring you to always stay active. Additionally, as you fly through different timezones especially when working for international airlines and working odd hours, it will help keep you busy and help minimize overthinking.
To become a flight attendant, you must be certified from a flight attendant training program and have customer service experience. People with ADHD are motivated by high-intensity jobs as it forces them to focus on the situation at hand. If heights are not your ball game or you don’t like living out of a suitcase, you can explore working in other high-paced industries like hospitality or tourism.
10. Sales Representative
The TV show – The Office is not only hilarious but also shows an accurate representation of a sales office. Well, it is generally more competitive and fast-paced, but you get the gist. If you can relate to “the professional” skills of Michael Scott and can sell anything, working as a sales representative might be a good opportunity. Plus, your job needs you to network and engage with new people and learn new things every day, making it fun and challenging.
While you don’t need any certification to become a sales representative, you can always take online sales training courses to brush up on your skills. The pay scale for this job is highly variable, but you can look for commission-based sales jobs to start. On top of that, learning how to connect with people is a valuable skill that will open doors for you in any future career.
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