Shell Mendelson, career counselor with over 35 years of experience, joins the podcast to discuss career direction for ADHD adults. They explore the importance of self-awareness, authenticity, and exploring options beyond money. They also address the question of the best career for someone with ADHD. The power of community and belonging in overcoming challenges is highlighted, along with the benefits of group therapy and recognizing one's skills for success.
Understanding how ADHD influences career choices is crucial for individuals with ADHD.
Engaging in informational interviews and conducting thorough research are essential steps in career exploration.
Taking on jobs that may not align perfectly with your ultimate goals can provide valuable experiences and skills necessary for future success in your desired career.
Deep dives
Importance of Knowing What You Want
Knowing what you want in your career is crucial for finding clarity, ownership, and confidence. Many individuals start uncertain and lacking confidence, but with a clear direction, they find hope and a sense of purpose. Exploring your own desires and interests, rather than conforming to others' expectations, is essential in discovering the best career path for you.
The Impact of ADHD on Career Choices
ADHD can significantly influence one's work and career choices, which is why it's essential to consider your unique brain wiring when selecting a career. Understanding how ADHD affects your interests, skills, working conditions, and life purpose can help you make more informed and satisfying career decisions. It's crucial to find a career that aligns with your authentic self, disregarding external pressures or rigid societal expectations.
The Necessity of Research and Informational Interviews
Conducting thorough research and engaging in informational interviews are key steps in career exploration. Online research can provide some insights, but interacting with professionals in your desired field through informational interviews and attending meetups or conventions opens doors to valuable connections and meaningful conversations. Truly understanding various aspects of a potential career, including working conditions, skills required, and industry nuances, can help you make informed decisions.
Recognizing the Importance of Stepping Stones
Acknowledging the value of stepping stones in your career journey is crucial. Sometimes, taking on jobs that may not align perfectly with your ultimate goals can provide valuable experiences and skills necessary to reach your desired destination. It's essential to embrace these opportunities, even if they are not your dream job, as they can serve as building blocks and pave the way for future growth and fulfillment.
Owning Your Career Path
Taking ownership of your career path is vital for long-term satisfaction and success. Instead of conforming to societal norms or external expectations, it's important to listen to your own desires and passions. By staying true to yourself and what energizes and excites you, you can create a career that aligns with your values, interests, and purpose. Embrace the process of self-discovery and be open to exploring various possibilities to find your ideal career.
In today’s show, Shell Mendelson joins Eric on the podcast! Since January 2021, Shell’s Your Next Career Move MasterclassSM has empowered ADHD adults to create confident career options and was trained by Richard Bolles, the author of “What Color is Your Parachute?” With a Masters in Career Counseling, Shell offers more than 35 years of client experience while bringing her counseling, coaching, teaching, training, and nurturing gifts to help others clarify and focus on a well-defined direction and abundant livelihood. Following her own diagnosis of ADHD later in life, Shell profoundly understands how ADHD can impact one’s work and to reliably choose the best career direction: one that takes our “interest-based ADHD brain wiring” into consideration. Get in touch and find out more about Shell’s Next Career Move MasterclassSM on her website at CareerCoachingWithShell.com Questions/Topics: [00:01:23] Introducing Shell [00:02:35] Training with Richard Bolles and how it changed Shell’s life [00:07:13] What are some examples of some of the questions Shell might ask when someone is trying to figure out a career direction? [00:09:32] Looking beyond money and Safekeeping Self [00:10:32] Addressing potential deficits in self-awareness and answering self-assessment questions [00:25:44] So what is the “best” career for someone with ADHD? [00:26:55] If you were to ask 100 people if they knew exactly what they wanted to do for work, what is the percentage of people who could actually answer this question? [00:30:11] The role of stepping-stone jobs and the difference between someone who doesn’t know what they want and someone who does know what they want [00:31:44] Addressing the person who holds a marketable skill set in a lucrative profession but hates the work [00:32:19] Stories that Shell hears from people who reach out to her [00:34:40] Looking at other career options: “How do we figure this stuff out?” [00:36:36] Once you discover your “what,” the “how” appears, and a discussion next steps and different types of research [00:47:40] What is Shell’s 8-Week Masterclass and who is her class for? [00:52:21] How to get in touch with Shell, closing thoughts, and words of wisdom Resources & Honorable Mentions: Book: What Color is Your Parachute by Richard Bolles 🌟 Want to hear the bonus questions and answer at the end of this episode? Go to adhdrewired.com/Patreon where you can get an uninterrupted listening experience of this show and bonus content when you become a Patron at $5 a month or more! You can even join Eric every 4th Tuesday of the month for a Patron-only monthly coaching call at $25 a month! 🌟 Have you heard about our Adult Study Hall Community? Go to adultstudyhall.com to join our ADHD-friendly body-doubling community! 🌟 Interested in group coaching and want to take your ADHD management to the next level? Go to coachingrewired.com to get all the up-to-date information on the upcoming season of ADHD reWired's award-winning Coaching & Accountability groups!
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