Restricted interests -) JobJobJob!! !

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http://autisticacademic.com/2015/06/16/ ... stscareer/

I know with my second language and programming I am often pressured to turn that into something marketable, but now I understand my apprehension a bit more. I don't want to get burned out like I just did last year, where I burned out so bad I've had to go on disability.

I like the article's clarification that special interests need to be translatable into marketable skills.

Good article, I agree that you can't simply convert a special interest into a job.

When I was 9 years old I wanted to be a spaceman. It didn't look as if it would be too difficult - I was interested and intelligent enough to do the job, and technology was advancing in a way that made it look as if there would soon be lots of manned rockets going off to other planets - but I eventually realised that the world doesn't work like that.

I settled for a science research job. To some extent, I was a good fit. I was fascinated by science and I enjoyed a lot of the work, and my results were of a high standard. But I discovered that there was a lot more to the job than liking the subject and being good at it. Employers seem adept at turning a good job into a nightmare. I noticed that those who got promoted were almost completely removed from the laboratory and pushed into doing tons of admin work instead. Even on my modest level, I was rarely allowed to simply get on with my science work. And I hated the other stuff.

This is really helpful to think about. I'm planning on pursuing a career out of my special interest.... I mean, what else can I really do? There isn't much else really. But still, it's important to start with a realistic, grounded perspective.

Also I like the whole thing about "networking autistically". I wish they could have expanded on that more

I get the sense no one has actually read the article in the OP that gives warning on trying to make a job of one's restricted interest.