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Programmer. I have ADHD, currently unmedicated which means I can't really focus for more than an hour on code. Not the kind of thing most employers will toler

Programmer. I have ADHD, currently unmedicated which means I can't really focus for more than an hour on code. Not the kind of thing most employers will tolerate and TBH I couldn't pass a job interview. I can use my network and thats how I found my contract. But I've already let down some people there a couple times and don't like doing that. Network is only so deep.

yourapostasy 4y ago
There are programming roles that ADHD is actually suited for. Anything that involves firefighting or moving from one client/project to another. SRE specializing in P1/Sev1 type "house on fire" hot Production issues with leadership attention where you solve the immediate pain and hand off to other engineers to triage follow-on problems and long-term remediation not only get you in and out as quickly as you can fix the issue, but lots of management attention as the "valuable fix it" person. Anyone who negotiates for P1/Sev1 on-call (so you don't get called until it becomes a production down issue) quickly becomes highly valued, as even bonus pay for such shifts aren't enough to get enough volunteers. Sales engineering where you throw together MVP code just enough to convince customer accounts your sales counterparts weren't writing checks no one's engineering could cash. Then you move on to the next sales account, and you rarely are called back in unless it is for a professional services gig so lucrative that sales couldn't turn it down. Our industry is broad and deep enough these days that it can accommodate a much larger range of working styles than it used to.
- trashface 4y ago
  Good tip, but I also have an anxiety disorder. I'm kind of a mess lol. I've been forced into those firefighting and rapid demo situations in the past (because the companies involved didn't hire for those rolls specifically) and it was the worst time of my employed life. Still I appreciate the suggestion. I think ultimately I need to just get on the Rx meds, hate to do so at this point in my life, but that's just how it is.

yourapostasy 4y ago

There are programming roles that ADHD is actually suited for. Anything that involves firefighting or moving from one client/project to another. SRE specializing in P1/Sev1 type "house on fire" hot Production issues with leadership attention where you solve the immediate pain and hand off to other engineers to triage follow-on problems and long-term remediation not only get you in and out as quickly as you can fix the issue, but lots of management attention as the "valuable fix it" person. Anyone who negotiates for P1/Sev1 on-call (so you don't get called until it becomes a production down issue) quickly becomes highly valued, as even bonus pay for such shifts aren't enough to get enough volunteers. Sales engineering where you throw together MVP code just enough to convince customer accounts your sales counterparts weren't writing checks no one's engineering could cash. Then you move on to the next sales account, and you rarely are called back in unless it is for a professional services gig so lucrative that sales couldn't turn it down. Our industry is broad and deep enough these days that it can accommodate a much larger range of working styles than it used to.

trashface 4y ago
Good tip, but I also have an anxiety disorder. I'm kind of a mess lol. I've been forced into those firefighting and rapid demo situations in the past (because the companies involved didn't hire for those rolls specifically) and it was the worst time of my employed life. Still I appreciate the suggestion. I think ultimately I need to just get on the Rx meds, hate to do so at this point in my life, but that's just how it is.