What are some good jobs for schizophrenics?

Working in tech e.g. coder

1 Like

nice! i just started work in an urban busy library!!! just an assistant though. it alternates between really really quiet and really busy with sometimes people making threats lol. there is protocol for threats that I’ve been trained on though, and I follow that. It can trigger some paranoia for me, especially about mind reading when it gets busy, but at other times it is a joy to be helpful and when someone says thank you so much i get a burst of happiness. :slight_smile:
My other coworkers worked in rural libraries and have noted the huge differences to me, it took some adjusting for them. I think it’s best for me to work in my own neighborhood rn due to transportation issues, but maybe one day i will get to the promised land of very quiet rural library :smiley: :heart:
EDIT: i find jobs that are mostly database entry are very soothing and reliable, little public contact, would recommend database entry or anything away from the public for schizophrenics :slight_smile:

4 Likes

I’m going to college for a lower stress career. Prior to sza I did stressful and eclectic work, from working with explosives to emergency medical stuff. I did a lot of retail in my late teens and early 20’s. After sza I realized that I need to not stress myself out like that, and after trying many different things that were a bit too stressful, from addictions to different types of medical work I have come to realize that I don’t want to be in those human services jobs anymore. Well, there’s a part of me that wants to, but I’m no longer suited for it and I probably wouldn’t go back to that career field if I could.

It was a hard pill to swallow, but I’m finding peace in my creative endeavors. It’s not as high octane and physical than what I did in my early to mid 20’s, but I’m finding a different part of myself. I’m near a degree in graphic design, and I love it.

I guess what I’m trying to say is to just explore different things. You might thrive in a retail environment, but it stresses me out more than working with explosives or emergency medicine did. Working in addictions for the very very short amount of time that I did was insanely stressful for me, but I knew people who had similar mental health issues who managed to work successfully in human service fields.

I never thought I’d thrive doing creative work in my younger years, because I was all about doing more adrenaline fueled work, but it fell into place for me in ways the other career fields didn’t.

4 Likes

Was that before or after schizophrenia?

I’ve worked in:

restaurants as a dishwasher and prep cook
maintenance worker
recycler
warehouse/truck unloader
in a warehouse on a production line
in several department stores
park ranger
assembler
janitor

5 Likes

After schizophrenia.

Before I got diagnosed I was a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps.

3 Likes

I know this is directed at Flyboy, but here are my pre-SZ jobs:

Chef.
Club DJ
Video store clerk/manager
Security guard

Post SZ jobs:

A/V and computer tech
Network admin (Fortune 500)
Computer repair shop owner
Reluctant farm hand (in-laws!)
School bus driver
Fuel truck driver
Insurance broker
Portrait and freelance photographer

6 Likes

Computer repair shop owner and the tech job sounds cool! Always wanted to be an IT tech type. :confused: took one pc repair class and loved it, built my own pc back in 2012! Tried programming but failed miserably in college lol, ended up with a degree in the humanities instead.
I went skitzy around age 19 and got diagnosed at 22-23, but here’s my list:
pre-sz: pizza delivery girl, newspaper delivery girl, cashier
post sz: tutor, bilingual tutor, nonprofit worker (phone banker, neighborhood canvassing), community organizer for nonprofits, various gov temp jobs like census etc, and currently a library assistant (new job!). I tend to quit a lot due to anxiety, though. Hoping if i get into therapy that will help me not quit.

5 Likes

What is your job velicrapter?

Its hard because right now im in retail fast food and i hate it. Im working in the quieter times but i dont to work there anymore because im worried all the time that they will put me on the mornings which are busy

1 Like

I work as a bank healthcare assistant at my local genral hospital.

Work when im able to and have UC to provide a safty net when im less able.

I was a senior support worker in a care home for people with challenging behaviour, but that started making me ill again.

Most people assume im autistic/aspergers rather than sz…

2 Likes

Lets replace that with mental illness in general.

You want a job that YOU perceive as low stress, and low demand.

Some jobs that are stressful for one person is just fine for others.

1 Like

I tutor kids at a learning center from 4-7 pm on tuesdays and thursdays. They are English as a second language students and my degree was in English and education.

4 Likes

Wow, a lot of you have in the past/and are doing amazing things in spite of having sz.

I’m proud of all of you!

@anon15119022 I think any job working with computers is excellent for schizophrenics. So long as you’re not on the customer support end. But who knows. Some of us might even enjoy that type of work and not find it stressful.

I’m currently bouncing some ideas around in my head about going back to my community college and getting an online AAS (associate of applied science) in computer information systems.

It’s one of my passions as I’ve always wanted to learn more about computers and software.

If I go through with my plan this will be my 5th associate’s degree. :sweat_smile:

6 Likes

Senior insurance broker. I seem to be doing more and more with managing large fleet insurance for heavy units these days. I’m not a fan of it, but have the misfortune of being good at it.

5 Likes

Woaw! So you’ve got 4 associate’s degrees right now!? That’s incredible!

2 Likes

Thanks bud! :slight_smile:

But yeah, I have an associate of applied science in human resource management, another aas in criminal justice. And I have an associate of arts in liberal arts, and a general associate of science degree.

I suppose I kinda collect degrees. :sweat_smile:

7 Likes

I personally like anything to do with math as that is what I know best.

But, by any means, trading stocks was the most stressful thing I did. You could go broke even with millions in three bad days. It was too much stress. Currently, I have somewhat stopped trading stocks. I am doing other things, though.

4 Likes

I work as a customer service representative at a call center for the past year and a bit. The anti-psychotic medication inhibit my schizophrenic symptoms and I work quite well doing my tasks and duties.

5 Likes

here is a list of my
unpaid work as a member/ volunteer

  • weekly radio show presenter
  • ambassador for mental health charity
  • social media guru for mental health charity
  • director on the board of trustees for mental health charity
  • monthly zine editor for mh charity
  • Childrens book writer/illustrator
2 Likes