How to transition from school to work with Aspergers

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!”

2 replies
  1. Penelope Trunk
    Penelope Trunk says:

    It’s really hard to know where you’ll fit after college. Also, you are probably 10 years behind socially (that’s basically where I was — people with Aspergers are very slow learners so they need catchup time socially).

    Use you twenties to give yourself space to catch up socially – date people (mostly it will be a disaster, but whatever, just do it) and get to know people at work (it will be awkward, but still, give it a try).

    If you keep getting jobs you will eventually find one that feels like a good fit to you. Don’t get frustrated when things don’t work out. It’s okay if you take a little more time than other people to get through the bridge between college and adulthood.

    And it might make you feel better to know that most people are lost in their 20s – not just the people with Aspergers.

    http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/15/stop-worrying-that-your-twentysomething-is-lost/

    Penelope

  2. Melissa Davies
    Melissa Davies says:

    Start-ups are not a good place to learn the business-y “scripts.” Of course, that’s not a reason to avoid working at a start-up.

    Probably the best thing to look for is someone who can be your mentor.

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