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- Nov 30, 2008
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Hi,
I am so thankful to have found such a useful forum!
I am nearing the end of my undergraduate years and am a very successful student. I have excellent grades and experiences with TA'ing, RA'ing, community field work, etc. But now that it is time to submit applications for graduate schools, i am realizing i have little idea of what i want to do with my life.
For the past three years of school, i have been set on clinical psychology, but am discovering that I am very much like the fictional tv icon, Dr. Gregory House; I am excited by solving puzzles but dont care much for treating the patients themselves.
I have terrible ADHD; am highly impulsive and therefore, afraid to jump into a program for fear that i might not enjoy doing it later on.
I was considering a doctorate degree, but likewise, i might not even be interested in that type of work in 10 years from now! A career in research also doesnt appeal to me, being that i cant sit still for very long without medication. School has been challenging enough for me, despite that I am one of the top students at my university. I am unsure if intense doctorate study and buckets of adderall for the next several years is worth the outcome.
I have considered fields like I/O psychology and school psychology due to the job security and short-term education programs they provide. I can see myself doing this work, but again... for how long until i decide i am bored with it (constantly needing novelty and stimulation is a huge problem for ADHD folks like me... the reason i do well in school is because i am constantly learning novel things and am therefore stimulated, but am afraid what will happen to me after school is all over)?
It seems that the best careers for ADHD people, such as involving alot of physical activity (some of the happiest jobs i have had are dishwashing and waiting tables at restaurants), are ones that dont pay well.
Any input is appreciated. I realize that there is no clear-cut answer to this problem. One of my big dilemmas right now is whether to take medication for the rest of my life or not. It works very well, but it also dulls my personality. I am spunky and hyper, I enjoy it and so do others (though i also tend to annoy the crap out of others from time to time); should i sacrifice my unique and valued personality in exchange for productivity?
I am so thankful to have found such a useful forum!
I am nearing the end of my undergraduate years and am a very successful student. I have excellent grades and experiences with TA'ing, RA'ing, community field work, etc. But now that it is time to submit applications for graduate schools, i am realizing i have little idea of what i want to do with my life.
For the past three years of school, i have been set on clinical psychology, but am discovering that I am very much like the fictional tv icon, Dr. Gregory House; I am excited by solving puzzles but dont care much for treating the patients themselves.
I have terrible ADHD; am highly impulsive and therefore, afraid to jump into a program for fear that i might not enjoy doing it later on.
I was considering a doctorate degree, but likewise, i might not even be interested in that type of work in 10 years from now! A career in research also doesnt appeal to me, being that i cant sit still for very long without medication. School has been challenging enough for me, despite that I am one of the top students at my university. I am unsure if intense doctorate study and buckets of adderall for the next several years is worth the outcome.
I have considered fields like I/O psychology and school psychology due to the job security and short-term education programs they provide. I can see myself doing this work, but again... for how long until i decide i am bored with it (constantly needing novelty and stimulation is a huge problem for ADHD folks like me... the reason i do well in school is because i am constantly learning novel things and am therefore stimulated, but am afraid what will happen to me after school is all over)?
It seems that the best careers for ADHD people, such as involving alot of physical activity (some of the happiest jobs i have had are dishwashing and waiting tables at restaurants), are ones that dont pay well.
Any input is appreciated. I realize that there is no clear-cut answer to this problem. One of my big dilemmas right now is whether to take medication for the rest of my life or not. It works very well, but it also dulls my personality. I am spunky and hyper, I enjoy it and so do others (though i also tend to annoy the crap out of others from time to time); should i sacrifice my unique and valued personality in exchange for productivity?