I recently came across your article Your Boss Might Have Aspergers and after reading the whole thing I have to say I’ve never seen a more accurate account of living with the disorder.

I just graduated from Stetson University with a degree in communication and media studies and a minor in marketing.  I started studying communications as a way to bridge that gaps in my learning due to Aspergers. I found that studying people academically allowed me to build more “scripts” as you call them.

That being said I’m still struggling with where my position will be in the workforce. Do you have some advice for a recent graduate? I believe it would really help me more from someone who is achieved as much as you in the field that I believe I want to join, which is the start up culture. I believe that I share a similar thought process to you, when you wrote “I don’t see the box,” I literally pointed at my screen and said “exactly!”

This is going to be a tough one for you. And I keep asking myself WWPD? (What Would Penelope Do?)

I am going to be 50 years old in July. I am currently working as a Behavior Specialist for developmentally disabled adults.  I got this job after almost completing my master’s degree in behavioral health (didn’t finish cause I got divorced and had to pick up another job and raise three kids on my own – husband was financially ruined). 

Anyway, I am good at what I do but I don’t want to do it anymore. I loved it for quite awhile but I am burnt. And the industry is changing and heading in a direction I don’t have the energy to be a part of.  Truth be told, it wasn’t my true calling and I knew it.  I was meant to be (get ready) a comedic actress.

Wherever I am, wherever I’ve worked, people gravitate towards me because I am entertaining.  I am truly funny but not in an annoying way.  I wrote some material and did one stand up gig.  I had one “fan” in the audience yet got lots of laughs and applause.  I stopped there.  Why?  I have no fucking idea.  It was the best 5 minutes I can remember.

I write, occasionally, but have been quite lazy about it. Make excuses constantly.

On a great note, I got remarried and I could potentially quit my job – NOT WORK AT ALL – but I’m scared.  Scared to be too dependent (again) and scared I won’t find another job if I want to.  I also still have those 3 kids I am responsible for!   And I am scared I won’t buckle down and write/perform like I always promised myself I would if I had the luxury and time to do so.

Anyway I went to Quistic and took the personality test.  I am a ESFJ, if that helps.  It really did give a good description of me.

Thanks for listening,