Do you prefer Blue collar or White collar Employment ?

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Very interesting responses so far . Thinking about it now, I should have separated the "job" preferences a little better, i.e, "working with people" or "working autonomously". The "other" category was just because I thought there are some jobs that are neither one or just in-between.
Also, maybe some would rather not be categorized . Can't say I blame anyone there. I just wanted to put "my finger on the pulse" of the Aspie workforce and see how it trended. Many of you out there much smarter and more ambitious than myself .
Good on ya! .

I can't sit down and work at a desk. I need to work with my hands. You get this kind of tunnel vision when you're working on a project. Pieces of wood also don't care if you have no interest in talking to them (even though you usually do).

What software programs did you use? What does somebody need to know?

This is a myth, today. It did used to be true. But today it isn't. The vast majority of white collar workers are things like pharmacy assistants, clerks, data entry workers, receptionists, call centre workers, and so on. The money they make is not that great. The ceiling in white collar work is of course far higher, but the average, when we're talking about trades (not including service industry workers like cashiers and such, which are termed 'pink collar'), is quite a bit higher for the blue collar workers. Plumbers, heavy machine operators, miners, oil workers, factory workers, and so on, make great money compared to most white collar jobs.

It's only really a small fraction of the white collar that makes good money - management and highly skilled professions in science, law, etc.

The best job I ever had was data entry, for the Post Office [so it actually paid a decent wage.] Unfortunately the jobs were just a stopgap measure until they got some new technology up and running, so our jobs were phased out after a few years. I was able to move to being a mail processor, which was the light industrial job I mentioned earlier. But I could not stay with them because even 10 years ago it was obvious they were not going to be around long enough for me to make it to retirement [they would have to survive until around 2025 or so....]

It seems like data entry jobs can be difficult to find these days, I think more and more companies have found ways to automate those functions, or else combine them with other tasks [often administrative/secretarial type stuff.]

I did not know I had Asperger's until I was well into adulthood, but after reading about the experiences of others I realize why I've had such a difficult time finding work, friendships, etc., over the years.

Each company I've worked for has a completely different database/record-keeping type program than the last. It helps to be familiar with the basics of a database program. But, essentially, all you can reasonably be expected to do is be very familiar with the MS Office suite (most office jobs require this of their employees) and have a general aptitude/familiarity/comfort with computers and computer programs in general in order to be able to use whatever new program you are presented with. The specifics should be taught to you at the time of hire.

I think I may have mentioned it before but I am using the term "data entry" somewhat loosely because I don't ONLY sit and type into the database program. Right now I am doing billing so I am required to reconcile the tradesman's hours paid out from payroll vrs the hours that can be billed back to the client, usint the aid of Excel spreadsheets. I communicate frequently with the project managers. I keep lots of records of what I am working on, make copies of documents, etc. Few jobs are pure data entry, I think. You will almost always be required to communicate with someone at some point. I've been receptionists and file clerks and even an IT support person for the office once. I have a decent set of "general office" skills. I find this type of work less favorable than order entry/billing but sometimes you have to start at the bottom, unfortunately.

Here in Canada, there are "colleges" that offer office administaration training and it helps to have a certificate from one of those. I never went to one since that isn't really required in the States as far as I know, but I don't know where you live so something like that may be available in your area.

Getting an office job still requires the ability to pass an interview, too. So you have to have general people skills, usually. My mom used to help disabled people get jobs and she once placed an LFA in a filing position where he got to just file in a back room all day and sing his movie soundtracks to himself.. so those type of jobs do exist just difficult to comeby, probably.

Blue Collar work

Thank you, I'm signed up for a staffing agency in data entry. My time will begin April 6th. I have a community college I can go to to learn office skills/software programs I'm not familiar with. My assignment will be for US Bank.

Awesome! Sounds great Staffing Agencies can be a great way to "get your foot in the door."

I just love working with my hands ........creating new things (I am in construction; I build bridges and containment structures for multi-use trail systems) or repairing them. Plus, I am outdoors 98% of the time ......fresh, clean air and minimum supervision .

Autonomous blue collar. I like having skills that can be sold to the highest paying employer. Or, have the option of taking on side jobs, or going into business. Trying to work as part of a team messes up my thought processes trying to predict what others are going to do. I get more done at higher quality working alone.

You are right about the teamwork thing....... . There is no "I"in team....... But there is a "Me" .

Also, happy to see the blue collar is catching up to the white collar jobs in the poll .

I worked as a software developer for many years doing the technical design and programming etc. I then decided (stupidly) to become a Business Analyst and found it boring and with too much emphasis on your people skills. At least as a programmer my performace was judged more on how well I solved the problems rather than how well I could talk and chat to people about problems.

Blue Collar masterrace

Do you think a community college will teach bookkeeping/payroll?

I just input your comment "college will teach bookkeeping/payroll" into a search engine and there are an s-ton of links to brick-and-mortar schools and other online classes.
Happy Hunting .