My new job/internship is pretty sweet.

Post Reply New Topic

So I went through my state's Bureau of Rehabilitation, and they ran me through and got me another NVLD/AS diagnosis, and then they referred me to a labor agency's summer work program, and I got a job working for a labor union's office. It's 6 weeks, and I'm interning for the company, BUT, I get paid min wage by the agency because it's money from a government (I don't know if it's state or federal...) program. I guess it's better to have Obama Jobs rather than Obama Money. But anyway...

My job is pretty sweet. All I did today was sit in an office and sort through paperwork and then scan them into a computer and rename them. It was sorting through a bunch of cases of arbitration between union workers. I'm apparently not crappy at this job, like most jobs I've done. I'm getting the impression I'm actually kinda impressing them, with my detailed centric-ness. It's easy for me. Don't see really anyone else except for my supervisor who's very very chill. No multitasking. Allowed freedom to sort them (basically) however I choose, ie, all different dates, so I just came up with a method to strategically organize everything.

I'm just pretty happy I've found a job that's not...crazy. Because my past jobs were pretty nuts. But this seems a good fit. I think it's because I have like, a hyperfocus, and I'm never really "bored." Like when I was 16-17, I spent literally the whole day, nonstop, probably 10AM to 10PM, just working on a bicycle trying to make it work, didn't really take breaks/do anything else. Just kept at it forever. The constant changing stuff going on at normal jobs like, say, a restaurant, was too much for me to deal with, but then a normal person can't work 8+ hours on something like that without getting "bored." So I wonder if that's a difference in thought process or whatever between Asperger people and "NTs"

So I don't know, I know some people on this board, and in fact one person I know from the same state as me had no luck with BRS. But for me so far (fingers crossed) it's been working out well. It's taken like 4-5 months approx to get a job from them. But, you get a diagnosis if you don't have one already, and you might get a job. Maybe even a good job that you won't totally get frustrated with.

That's great that you found this job that works well for you.

The detailedness is useful to point out as something that really differentiates autistic people from NTs on the job.

A lot of autistic people find it absolutely effortless to be detail-oriented and sort through masses of details, while NTs appear to have difficulty with this, regardless of intellectual ability.

Good stuff!

Multitasking is often overrated anyway.

Transitioning between different work tasks is something that can be practiced out of office anyhow, and something I learned more due to family help than from any job.

Tina

So I guess the thing I'm most sad about is I probably won't be working at that place after my internship. I'll be back at some grocery store or restaurant s**thole place where I'll flip out at all the constant bustling. Here, they're actually really happy at my work performance and that I get a lot done. And it's not stressful. It's about as stressful as like...doing school work in elementary school? Not too bad.

The only complaint I have is the place is kinda...really lax. Which is cool, but I ended up putting lots of effort in the first couple days. Today I did a bit less because I got less sleep. But they really don't care too much about breaks/etc. From what I see with other employees, I don't see them really... doing much. I mean, I'm doing my best just regardless, and because of the slim single digit percent chance I might get hired there full time. That and I obviously want good reports to go to my BRS caseworker person, and a good reference, and I guess also moral blah blah.

But it's sorta sad to think that now I know I could do well at a "real job" and then I'll be probably cast back to work at Burger King or something after just because other people have either college, experience, etc.

But for now, 5 more weeks after this one of working at a nice "proper" job with a stove I can cook on and picnic table to eat lunch at. So I'll enjoy it while I have it.