Some Rewarding Jobs and Suggestions for People with MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
The above picture shows a woman's hand on a laptop sitting at a desk.
Some Rewarding Jobs and Suggestions for People with MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
When you have a disability, it's easy to fall into the fallacy that you won't be able to find a fulfilling career, or at least not one that's as fulfilling as one that an able-bodied person could have.
No matter what you're facing, it's more than possible to find a career that you'll enjoy.
Multiple sclerosis can come with a lot of limitations, making it feel impossible to find a job that you love. There are, however, plenty of jobs for people with MS that don't have to be a constant struggle or "busy work".
If you or a loved one has MS and you're looking for new potential career paths, you're in the right place. Keep reading to learn more.
What Determines Good Jobs for People With MS?
First, let's discuss what we're looking for.
Multiple sclerosis impacts people in all kinds of different ways. Some people experience more mobility problems from MS, while others experience almost exclusively cognitive symptoms. Some people have an equal mix of both.
What does this mean for you?
You need to consider what symptoms you find most challenging before you start looking for a job that's going to suit you.
If, for example, you're in a wheelchair due to lack of mobility, you may struggle with jobs that require a lot of physical work, or even a lot of travel. This doesn't mean that all jobs that require these things are off-limits, just that you'll experience more challenges.
If your symptoms are largely cognitive, you may want to stray away from jobs that rely heavily on memory, cognitive flexibility, and speed. While you may be more than capable of these jobs, you're aiming for something fulfilling. You don't want to be constantly struggling while on the job.
Your impairments aren't the first thing that you need to consider when jobhunting, but you do want to find a job that will make you comfortable. This means taking a serious personal inventory and deciding what you are and are not capable of as a full-time position.
Here are a few jobs that should be accessible for people with MS-related impairments. Every job won't be right for every person depending on the type of symptoms that they experience, but there will likely be something for you.
Online Work
The world is moving closer and closer to the "work-from-home" lifestyle across many industries. As more businesses realize that it's cheaper and easier to have employees working from their homes instead of on-site, it's more common for employers to offer remote work.
Before you fret about your desired career being inaccessible, see if there's an option available online.
Many people find success in online writing jobs. If you can sit and type on a computer, you can complete these tasks.
If you went to school for writing, or if you have prior experience from before your diagnosis, you may want to consider going into journalism. This often requires having some background and a few published pieces, but it doesn't necessitate a degree if your writing is strong.
If writing isn't for you, consider a job in a more administrative area. Many companies are using remote workers for secretarial positions, human resources positions, and anything requiring cold-calling.
While these jobs aren't often as fulfilling, they do allow you to stay home and focus on the things you love, giving you a great work-life balance.
Library or Book Store Work
Libraries are wonderful workplaces. They're quiet, peaceful, and they don't require a lot of movement or quick decisions.
If you're someone who ever loved to read, this may be the job for you.
Librarians have several tasks and in 2020 many of them are aided by technology. There are often assistants in the library to aid in the putting away of books, so if you have mobility problems, this shouldn't be an issue.
Librarians aren't just people who check out books. They're holders of information. They're educators, helpers, and wonderful resources.
Librarians can work with children, do small amounts of event-planning, and work in a peaceful location that many people would envy.
Hobbies: Monetized
Do you have a hobby that you enjoy? Perhaps you're someone who enjoys crafts, like knitting. Maybe you're a trained photographer who never made it into a job.
Not all work has to be work that we're passionate about, but it's helpful if the 2 go together.
If you have a hobby that other people enjoy, why not make it into a job?
There may be some unexpected careers that can come from hobbies that you otherwise thought were benign. Photo and video editing, for example, are common hobbies for digital natives worldwide. They're also crucial skills for many business owners who need to develop social media content.
Don't be fooled into thinking that your hobbies aren't valuable. Marketing yourself is key here. You may find yourself with a job that you never would have expected doing something that makes you comfortable.
A Note on Accommodations
If you have a career that you're passionate about, don't give it up due to your diagnosis unless it's obvious that you won't be able to pursue it.
Legally, workplaces are required to offer you reasonable accommodations to complete your tasks as long as you're qualified. It's not unlikely that the job that you're afraid of applying for can actually accommodate your needs.
The jobs listed here are for those who don't find their current positions meaningful and may be uncomfortable seeing a new position with their limitations. Any job is a job for someone with MS.
Is There a Perfect Career for You?
Finding the right jobs for people with MS can seem challenging. There's such a wide range of symptoms that it's hard to pin down exactly what a good job will be.
While we focused on ease and passion in this article, know that you're not as limited as you think. Many career paths are open to you as long as you and your employer are both willing to work out some difficulties.
For more information on jobs for those with disabilities, or to hunt for a job today, visit our site.