High education; Menial jobs

[Honest Pod]

Hello, does anyone else have a college degree but find they can only get menial labor jobs due to poor social skills? I have a B.A. in English and have been stuck doing Housekeeping at a hospital where I am constantly being bossed around by people with far less education and moral aptitude. For awhile I thought I could maybe move up to management but not anymore. My frustrations have been far more vocal at work, and I'm afraid I have dug myself into a hole. Does anyone else have any similar issues?

 

[Tom]

Hi & welcome,
I didn't have the same exact problem, only a version of it. But I did not like the management track at all and preferred working on equipment, so it was ok for me. I would think however your personality would need to be doing something more challenging to you to keep your interest.

 

[Datura]

I can't claim to be highly educated, but I do have a diploma in Medical Office Administration with Unit Clerk Specialty. I graduated with a respectable 92%. After sending out over 100 resumes, however, I was unable to find any work in the field and entered a work search program. When I did finally find work it was in assisting the elderly. The work was either way over my head (taking care of people with dementia or other degenerative conditions, a job for which I was given no training) or I served as a maid.

My current job has me supporting people with disabilities. I like it much better as I am provided with training and feel I am making much more of a difference in my client's lives. But, whereas there are times that really require creative thinking, or a level of technical care, for most of the day I am extremely under-stimulated. Walking people to an from places or standing there and handing them things, while important, isn't really utilizing my talents to the greatest extent. Worse are the times when nobody really needs our help, but somebody has to be there just in case. I try to use this time for work related research, but that is a process of diminishing returns.

 

[Siamese]

Hello, does anyone else have a college degree but find they can only get menial labor jobs due to poor social skills? I have a B.A. in English and have been stuck doing Housekeeping at a hospital where I am constantly being bossed around by people with far less education and moral aptitude. For awhile I thought I could maybe move up to management but not anymore. My frustrations have been far more vocal at work, and I'm afraid I have dug myself into a hole. Does anyone else have any similar issues?

Hi HP. I'm also overeducated and underemployed. Like you I have a BA in English which I received back in 1991. I was diagnosed with Asperger's just 18 months ago. For nearly 20 years, I've been working for the same company doing phone based customer service. I can certainly relate to your frustrations in dealing with supervisors who are less educated but have control over all aspects of your job, including performance evaluations, promotions and pay increases. Unfortunately, social skills trump intellectual ability in many professions. Just look at politics! In college, with no specific employment goals in mind, I decided to major in English, because it was a field I enjoyed. Were I mathematically inclined, which I'm not, I would have studied engineering as it seems to be an Aspie friendly profession. I graduated magna cum laude and was accepted to law school. However, I never enrolled because I knew with my anxiety issues, I could never have handled the pressure cooker environment. And in retrospect, knowing about myself what I do now, I'm glad I didn't. I eventually gravitated to my present job where I found a comfort zone. The benefits are very good and the pay is reasonable considering the demands of the job. But I often find myself wondering, if I had been diagnosed as a child and had the benefit of early intervention therapy, what I could have accomplished.

 

[Datura]

I find it unfortunate that "soft skills" present a barrier to advancement for people who could easily be much more productive given the proper environment.

 

[Beverly]

Some of the accommodations we need are not practical in a workplace but, more does need to be done to accommodate us in the workplace. Some career fields require social skill as a part of doing the job and, managerial and above positions always do, you have to hire, fire and interview people and, that's social.

I think we need better ways to help all of us on the spectrum acquire social skills needed for careers.

 

[clg114]

For me, the key to a successful career has been working alone. I have spent most of my working life as a field service technician. I was always at a customer site and had minimal contact with other people. This is good because of my poor social skills. Eight years ago I started my own business and kept working for some of the customers that I had been working with for years. This works well also because I don't have a employer to deal with.

I was diagnosed late in life also. When I was young, nobody ever heard of Asperger's Syndrome. Since my diagnosis at age sixty-two, I have often wondered how my life may have been different had I got a formal education. Because of the social pressures, I did not go to school any more after high school. I really believe that Aspie kids should be consoled to handle their weaknesses and better take advantage of their strengths.

 

[On the Inside]

While not highly educated, I am widely educated. That means I've started 3 different degree programs, nearly finishing, then quitting. I've also gone through two technical college degree paths. I wouldn't say I am underemployed, but I know that if I could handle social/interpersonal situations better, and be able to stick it out when things were stressful, I could have a much more lucrative and/or fulfilling career. My job's OK, it plays to my strengths, and doesn't expose my weaknesses too much, but profitable it ain't, and I'm not confident I'd find anything better if I were to look.

 

[BlueConundrum]

I have a master's degree and have mostly ended up in customer service jobs or receptionist jobs at best. I am TERRIBLE at customer service jobs and I would be reprimanded constantly, or I would get overwhelmed and have a meltdown and leave. I would only apply for those jobs because, well, I needed a job.

I ended up on disability after a series of physical illnesses and a separate (but related) series of mental breakdowns. I hate that I'm not working, but I'd never get a job I'd actually be good at that would pay a decent amount, and if I work customer service again I won't make it through the first day.

I had a couple of jobs that gave me some independence where I could work away from the public, but they were just temp jobs.

Anyway, I gave up.

 

[Maelstrom]

Hi BlueConundrum , Hi Siamese , I have struggled to find a place in life too, if you have a BA you can get fairly high paying english teaching jobs in South Korea, my brother has done it for years. You get about 20 thousand a year with free room and a maybe a part time maid and cook. I thought of doing it but I messed up on my collage stuff so instead of needing 17 credits I need 2 years, just don't have the time or money to finish the BA. The teaching is mostly a turn key program with CDs and books I think? they mostly want americans to teach as a draw for the students who want to ask about living in America. You can look up clips on youtube from teachers if you think you may like it. Best wishes to you both Mael

 

[Thaddeus]

Oh yes honest,

A BS in polymer and color chemistry. Started a couple of engineering and chemistry jobs and been fired within eight months. I enter, come up to speed within a month, and stay solving problems people have struggled with for years. Of course the whole while I am stepping on toes, oblivious to the politics. Would watch things crumbling around me as people got colder and more distant. They would begin ignoring me, lying to me, and successfully eliminating me.

I am broken and now work at a grocery store about 12 hours a week. Sigh and hugs.

 

[Maelstrom]

Yes Thaddeus being too smart can get you fired, it makes the guys above you nervous, everyone sees you as a promotion threat and tries to sabitoge you. The only defence is to build a group of coworker friends who know you will pull them up with you. A hard thing to do. My sympathies I know how it feels to be crushed by office politics.

 

[Thaddeus]

Yes Thaddeus being too smart can get you fired, it makes the guys above you nervous, everyone sees you as a promotion threat and tries to sabitoge you. The only defence is to build a group of coworker friends who know you will pull them up with you. A hard thing to do. My sympathies I know how it feels to be crushed by office politics.

Of course I can't be sure that's exactly what happened, but what I can say is that the more stressful things became, the harder I tried to work. Most likely a viscous cycle...

Thank you for your understanding!

 

[Maelstrom]

Of course I can't be sure that's exactly what happened, but what I can say is that the more stressful things became, the harder I tried to work. Most likely a viscous cycle...

Thank you for your understanding!

Hey Thaddeus ,I've been through some of that, office politics can be brutal, and my brothers wife just got fired from bowing, her boss was scared she was so organised, he was going to be out of a job. Whole corporations have been destroyed by this kind of evil petty stuff. Keep trying tho, maybe you can find a smaller newer company, the job fighting might not be so bad in a growing company. my best wishes to you

 

[Datura]

I feel for you Thaddeus. I once worked with a guy in at a pizzeria who was too talented for his own good. Most people who worked there were just entering the work force or were immigrants with limited prospects. This guy, on the other hand, had worked at some serious dining establishments and decided to work with us because at the time we had a reputation for making the city's best pizza. The guy was unbelievable. He knew everyone's name before even meeting them. At the same time we were showing him the ropes he was sharing his own little tricks of the trade. He was efficient and enthusiastic and an absolute pleasure to work with.

The problem is that he was too good. The supervisors especially felt intimidated by him and started talking behind his back, speculating that he had padded his resume and intonation that he should know his place. It's unfortunate, but it seems to be human nature to quash excellence.

I believe they moved him to an other outlet to avoid the political fallout.

 

[Thaddeus]

I feel for you Thaddeus. I once worked with a guy in at a pizzeria who was too talented for his own good. Most people who worked there were just entering the work force or were immigrants with limited prospects. This guy, on the other hand, had worked at some serious dining establishments and decided to work with us because at the time we had a reputation for making the city's best pizza. The guy was unbelievable. He knew everyone's name before even meeting them. At the same time we were showing him the ropes he was sharing his own little tricks of the trade. He was efficient and enthusiastic and an absolute pleasure to work with.

The problem is that he was too good. The supervisors especially felt intimidated by him and started talking behind his back, speculating that he had padded his resume and intonation that he should know his place. It's unfortunate, but it seems to be human nature to quash excellence.

I believe they moved him to an other outlet to avoid the political fallout.

a dang shame

 

[qwerty]

Oh yes honest,

A BS in polymer and color chemistry. Started a couple of engineering and chemistry jobs and been fired within eight months. I enter, come up to speed within a month, and stay solving problems people have struggled with for years. Of course the whole while I am stepping on toes, oblivious to the politics. Would watch things crumbling around me as people got colder and more distant. They would begin ignoring me, lying to me, and successfully eliminating me.

I am broken and now work at a grocery store about 12 hours a week. Sigh and hugs.

Have you considered starting a small business venture yourself?
You have some incredibly interesting expertise and there must be
many desirable products you could manufacture from your home.

Small unique items utilizing some of the more interesting
and unusual qualities of polymers, colouring properties and
scents etc...
This is something you could work on as a project, something
interesting which utilises your interests and keeps your motivation
up while working at the grocery store.

There is possibly a fairly decent market for good quality organic
soaps, bath bombs, candles etc..
With your knowledge i am sure you could create some beautifully
dazzling products.

Do a bit of market research on what boutique health shops and cosmetic
bodyshops items appear to be the most desirable, take note of the way they
are packaged and presented, talk at length to the store assistants about
what products they like the best and why (say you are wanting to buy your
girlfriend something amazing, beautiful, cool, rather than how you want to start business lol)

ask what's the coolest thing for blokes too and why, look for the most interesting
assistant, one that's not just gona give ya the sales pitch, keep going to different
places until you find an assistant or owner who is really enthusiastic and passionate
and if ya fancy them ask them on a date, all work n no play etc..lol
Might have to change the buying for girlfriend bit if you ask them though..

Go to places that look a bit arty too. Ask everybody you can think of who may be
interested in health n beauty products, maybe start a thread, be transparent open
and honest if ya start a thread. Join online forums dedicated to the products you are
considering etc..... Research, Research, Research.
Bath and body works favorite candles on Pinterest | Bath Body Works, Candles and Fall Candles

This is actually one of the small ventures i have been considering for myself,

There are few resources for adults on the spectrum here in NZ so
i have been considering options for starting an eventually self
sustaining way that we can begin to establish them ourselves.

Creating small business ventures, offering spectrum friendly job
positions which cater for our difficulties and utilise our strengths
wisely to turn a profit which is fed into a Trust.

I will endeavor to wisely and safely invest and keep account
of this pool of money to make sure it is always working towards
maximum profitability and sustainability.
This money once consistently capable of generating a usable amount
will be utilised to begin to fund some of these desperately needed
services.

Your situation seems to be all too common Thaddeus which while on one
hand is sad, yet on the other hand it reveals a golden opportunity.

So many of us on the spectrum struggle with finding dignified enjoyable
employment and when we do, the environment is usually not able to meet
the needs of those on the spectrum leading to an incredibly stressful
and taxing work experience which can be incredibly soul crushing.

not only is this disheartening but it also means we struggle to maximise our
efficiency. Perhaps we can see several ways of improving systemic efficiency in
the workplace but are brushed off or never given the opportunity to point this
out.

This is what pisses me off, broadly speaking those on the spectrum are
driven, focussed, ethical, caring, authorities in their fields of special interest
and Intelligent. The perfect workforce if given the freedom to work in a way
they find comfortable and respectful.

I would feel so confident to work with other people on the spectrum,
I would feel proud to work towards taking our power back, toward
creating the services we need, instead of hoping with fearful anxiety
that the services future generations utilise are not dictated by people
who do not truly understand our needs.

I would feel an overwhelming sense of
relief knowing that I could find the rhythm best suited to me so as to
maximise my work efficiency, and knowing others could openly discuss
ways to work to achieve happy confidence amongst their peers, environment,
timeframes, maybe if it is too much some days, arrange for people to
work from home, organise driving pools to help those without transport etc..

Ever since Epicurean Pariah mentioned the opportunities that we have
to empower ourselves and the gifts that come along with our so called disability,
the positive aspects of being on the spectrum which make us unique and are in
many cases our greatest strengths.

I have been racking my brain
to think of situations in which we can take our perceived problems and turn
them into opportunities. This is starting to find it's shape more and more now.
I have been in contact with a friend of mine who has knocked up a support
group and managed to get a wonderful woman who is on the spectrum and full of
knowledge and has contacts with most of the Autism organisations here in NZ.

 

[Epicurean Pariah]

Have you considered starting a small business venture yourself?
You have some incredibly interesting expertise and there must be
many desirable products you could manufacture from your home.

Small unique items utilizing some of the more interesting
and unusual qualities of polymers, colouring properties and
scents etc...
This is something you could work on as a project, something
interesting which utilises your interests and keeps your motivation
up while working at the grocery store.

There is possibly a fairly decent market for good quality organic
soaps, bath bombs, candles etc..
With your knowledge i am sure you could create some beautifully
dazzling products.

Do a bit of market research on what boutique health shops and cosmetic
bodyshops items appear to be the most desirable, take note of the way they
are packaged and presented, talk at length to the store assistants about
what products they like the best and why (say you are wanting to buy your
girlfriend something amazing, beautiful, cool, rather than how you want to start business lol)

ask what's the coolest thing for blokes too and why, look for the most interesting
assistant, one that's not just gona give ya the sales pitch, keep going to different
places until you find an assistant or owner who is really enthusiastic and passionate
and if ya fancy them ask them on a date, all work n no play etc..lol
Might have to change the buying for girlfriend bit if you ask them though..

Go to places that look a bit arty too. Ask everybody you can think of who may be
interested in health n beauty products, maybe start a thread, be transparent open
and honest if ya start a thread. Join online forums dedicated to the products you are
considering etc..... Research, Research, Research.
Bath and body works favorite candles on Pinterest | Bath Body Works, Candles and Fall Candles

This is actually one of the small ventures i have been considering for myself,

There are few resources for adults on the spectrum here in NZ so
i have been considering options for starting an eventually self
sustaining way that we can begin to establish them ourselves.

Creating small business ventures, offering spectrum friendly job
positions which cater for our difficulties and utilise our strengths
wisely to turn a profit which is fed into a Trust.

I will endeavor to wisely and safely invest and keep account
of this pool of money to make sure it is always working towards
maximum profitability and sustainability.
This money once consistently capable of generating a usable amount
will be utilised to begin to fund some of these desperately needed
services.

Your situation seems to be all too common Thaddeus which while on one
hand is sad, yet on the other hand it reveals a golden opportunity.

So many of us on the spectrum struggle with finding dignified enjoyable
employment and when we do, the environment is usually not able to meet
the needs of those on the spectrum leading to an incredibly stressful
and taxing work experience which can be incredibly soul crushing.

not only is this disheartening but it also means we struggle to maximise our
efficiency. Perhaps we can see several ways of improving systemic efficiency in
the workplace but are brushed off or never given the opportunity to point this
out.

This is what pisses me off, broadly speaking those on the spectrum are
driven, focussed, ethical, caring, authorities in their fields of special interest
and Intelligent. The perfect workforce if given the freedom to work in a way
they find comfortable and respectful.

I would feel so confident to work with other people on the spectrum,
I would feel proud to work towards taking our power back, toward
creating the services we need, instead of hoping with fearful anxiety
that the services future generations utilise are not dictated by people
who do not truly understand our needs.

I would feel an overwhelming sense of
relief knowing that I could find the rhythm best suited to me so as to
maximise my work efficiency, and knowing others could openly discuss
ways to work to achieve happy confidence amongst their peers, environment,
timeframes, maybe if it is too much some days, arrange for people to
work from home, organise driving pools to help those without transport etc..

Ever since Epicurean Pariah mentioned the opportunities that we have
to empower ourselves and the gifts that come along with our so called disability,
the positive aspects of being on the spectrum which make us unique and are in
many cases our greatest strengths.

I have been racking my brain
to think of situations in which we can take our perceived problems and turn
them into opportunities. This is starting to find it's shape more and more now.
I have been in contact with a friend of mine who has knocked up a support
group and managed to get a wonderful woman who is on the spectrum and full of
knowledge and has contacts with most of the Autism organisations here in NZ.

Q/ hoo RAH, mate! Best wishes in your endeavor. I am glad the tiny bit of encouragement I offered has stimulated this interest of your to do the important things. It is like petrichor, a new Aussie word I picked up from Datura.

 

[Thaddeus]

Have you considered starting a small business venture yourself?
You have some incredibly interesting expertise and there must be
many desirable products you could manufacture from your home.



Small unique items utilizing some of the more interesting
and unusual qualities of polymers, colouring properties and
scents etc...
This is something you could work on as a project, something
interesting which utilises your interests and keeps your motivation
up while working at the grocery store.

There is possibly a fairly decent market for good quality organic
soaps, bath bombs, candles etc..
With your knowledge i am sure you could create some beautifully
dazzling products.

Do a bit of market research on what boutique health shops and cosmetic
bodyshops items appear to be the most desirable, take note of the way they
are packaged and presented, talk at length to the store assistants about
what products they like the best and why (say you are wanting to buy your
girlfriend something amazing, beautiful, cool, rather than how you want to start business lol)

ask what's the coolest thing for blokes too and why, look for the most interesting
assistant, one that's not just gona give ya the sales pitch, keep going to different
places until you find an assistant or owner who is really enthusiastic and passionate
and if ya fancy them ask them on a date, all work n no play etc..lol
Might have to change the buying for girlfriend bit if you ask them though..

Go to places that look a bit arty too. Ask everybody you can think of who may be
interested in health n beauty products, maybe start a thread, be transparent open
and honest if ya start a thread. Join online forums dedicated to the products you are
considering etc..... Research, Research, Research.
Bath and body works favorite candles on Pinterest | Bath Body Works, Candles and Fall Candles

This is actually one of the small ventures i have been considering for myself,

There are few resources for adults on the spectrum here in NZ so
i have been considering options for starting an eventually self
sustaining way that we can begin to establish them ourselves.

Creating small business ventures, offering spectrum friendly job
positions which cater for our difficulties and utilise our strengths
wisely to turn a profit which is fed into a Trust.

I will endeavor to wisely and safely invest and keep account
of this pool of money to make sure it is always working towards
maximum profitability and sustainability.
This money once consistently capable of generating a usable amount
will be utilised to begin to fund some of these desperately needed
services.

Your situation seems to be all too common Thaddeus which while on one
hand is sad, yet on the other hand it reveals a golden opportunity.

So many of us on the spectrum struggle with finding dignified enjoyable
employment and when we do, the environment is usually not able to meet
the needs of those on the spectrum leading to an incredibly stressful
and taxing work experience which can be incredibly soul crushing.

not only is this disheartening but it also means we struggle to maximise our
efficiency. Perhaps we can see several ways of improving systemic efficiency in
the workplace but are brushed off or never given the opportunity to point this
out.

This is what pisses me off, broadly speaking those on the spectrum are
driven, focussed, ethical, caring, authorities in their fields of special interest
and Intelligent. The perfect workforce if given the freedom to work in a way
they find comfortable and respectful.

I would feel so confident to work with other people on the spectrum,
I would feel proud to work towards taking our power back, toward
creating the services we need, instead of hoping with fearful anxiety
that the services future generations utilise are not dictated by people
who do not truly understand our needs.

I would feel an overwhelming sense of
relief knowing that I could find the rhythm best suited to me so as to
maximise my work efficiency, and knowing others could openly discuss
ways to work to achieve happy confidence amongst their peers, environment,
timeframes, maybe if it is too much some days, arrange for people to
work from home, organise driving pools to help those without transport etc..

Ever since Epicurean Pariah mentioned the opportunities that we have
to empower ourselves and the gifts that come along with our so called disability,
the positive aspects of being on the spectrum which make us unique and are in
many cases our greatest strengths.

I have been racking my brain
to think of situations in which we can take our perceived problems and turn
them into opportunities. This is starting to find it's shape more and more now.
I have been in contact with a friend of mine who has knocked up a support
group and managed to get a wonderful woman who is on the spectrum and full of
knowledge and has contacts with most of the Autism organisations here in NZ.

I would love too work for myself, but I am so incredibly pessimistic. You spend your whole life being ignored and devalued... I'm sure I couldn't sell eyes to a blind man.

The only thing I could possibly think to do would be to either do engineering consulting work, or my pet dream, to start a think tank.

At the moment I am way too depressed...

 

[Epicurean Pariah]

I would love too work for myself, but I am so incredibly pessimistic. You spend your whole life being ignored and devalued... I'm sure I couldn't sell eyes to a blind man.

The only thing I could possibly think to do would be to either do engineering consulting work, or my pet dream, to start a think tank.

At the moment I am way too depressed...

Thaddeus, if you are able, stay above the fray.
The most important aspect of leadership is to recognize and properly utilize good followership.
By the way there are a few think tank sites in this forum. One is called the "rocking chair think tank", and if not your cuppa, it might lead you to something you are into.