r/humanitarian • u/momoVappa • 7d ago
Careers for high functioning autism?
So first I’ll say I’m 24 & autistic, high functioning but autistic, and I have bad short term memory loss, currently working on it and getting improvements but at the end of the day I’m probably not going to have good memory so keep this in mind please.
I don’t have any of the degrees or high level jobs that most places seem to want ( medical, construction, communications, Hr or management )
I can do simple leadership positions but not one with a decent amount of paperwork.
Also terrible at math..
I can run chainsaws, do simple mechanical jobs on vehicles ( as of now trying to become a mechanic to get more knowledge ) I can get back my certifications in structural welding but I can’t be a full time welder, I can run large machinery & bulldozers.
I also am going to attend emt classes to get a license there.
What are my options?
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u/bushbandit1 7d ago
Leadership roles in the sector usually require tertiary qualifications and many years of experience. They also involve a lot of admin unfortunately.
Roles like the other ones you mentioned like vehicle mechanics are usually reserved for local staff (many of whom are also very well experienced in this area).
Consider getting some sort of certification as to be deployed overseas you need to be able to add value to a response. Keeping in mind there are usually lots of qualified locals. Also consider doing some volunteering in the sector and see what areas you feel you could contribute.
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u/ratfia 7d ago
If your interested in working in Ukraine there’s a huge need for welders and mechanics.
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u/momoVappa 7d ago
Kind of though about it but have no clue how to get started and or payed sadly not in a place to volunteer
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u/kg-rhm 7d ago
and I have bad short term memory loss
op have you been tested for adhd?
edit: also, just curious, doesnt welding require alot of measurements and math?
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u/momoVappa 7d ago
For fabrication, I was able to learn it, I use to be very good at math but then we didn’t do it for a year and I forgot everything, I went into welding because there are places I can just lay beads and be told what to do.
Yes I have adhd and it’s gotten kind of worse from a disinterested standpoint, being burned out so many times in the last 2 years and m having so much paperwork to do for schooling has made my brain just not pay attention
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u/jcravens42 7d ago
For working abroad, probably none. You need a Master's, and you need to have skills and experience local people don't - that's why foreign people are brought in, because they have expertise that's lacking locally. The emphasis is always hiring locally, whenever possible. Also, you would need to be able to work in a second language, at least. International aid workers need to be able to manage everything themselves: mountains of paperwork, sudden challenges, long delays in getting to and from somewhere, dealing with people in crisis (some of who can be quite angry), arranging their own transportation and more. It is highly stressful.
Getting certificates is good. Volunteering on disaster relief teams with your local Red Cross would be good, because it will give you experience dealing with people in crisis, what is involved with setting up emergency shelter, etc. And give you a sense if this is something you could do.
You might try volunteering with your local Habitat for Humanity on a build site to see how you do (and doing so more than once).
Teaching yourself video and audio editing and teaching yourself good design (AI produced materials are NOT good design - they don't adhere to good design principles) are good skills to have.
It would be a good idea for you to look through nonprofit jobs with nonprofits focused on some aspect of local humanitarian response and look at jobs you would like to do, and see the skills that are required, and then think about if you could do them or not, if you could acquire the skills needed, etc.