Unqualified, Despite a Lifetime of Experience
When neurodiversity limits your job options.
It’s been an exciting life. I’ve done a lot. I can honestly say that I’ve been around the block. I’ve got experience.
So imagine my disappointment as I scrolled through the help wanted ads on LinkedIn and found only one slightly desirable job that I actually qualified for — in forty pages. All my life experience is worth squat.
There were lots of tech jobs, or manager roles in industries I’m not familiar with. There was a gym GM position at a fitness chain notorious for underpaying and overworking its managers.
The disorders I live with play a huge part in the positions I consider. I have to envision being on the job and having an anxiety attack, or CPTSD flashback. I have to picture myself experiencing suicidal ideation while sitting at my desk. I have to consider staring out of a high rise window and having dark thoughts. Or being hypomanic and freaking everyone out.
Will there be a place where I can escape to gather my thoughts or wipe away tears? Will I be able to take a day off, or several, when I just can’t function? Will I become inflated and quit because I’ve been called by a higher power? It’s happened before.
