Career Roadmap
René's work combines: Writing, Medicine, and Helping People
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I wasn't a great student in high school; I did well in the humanities, but math is my arch-nemesis.
2.
Keeping my hands busy and crocheting during class was the one thing that helped me focus.
3.
Even though I struggled and hated school, NOT going to college was NOT an option in my family.
4.
I almost completed an English degree at Penn State but I dropped out with 33 credits left to finish.
5.
I hadn't yet been diagnosed with ADHD, but looking back, I know that's why I could finish my degree.
6.
I had a stint where I sold vacuums door-to-door, and a brief stint in retail, but I hated both jobs.
7.
I went to a temp agency and found a great job, but my attention issues made me take a medical leave.
8.
I was diagnosed with ADHD at 25; my medication, my ADHD coach, and therapy improved my life.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Family:
You need to go to college and complete a degree. You don't have a problem. You don't need to take medication for your ADHD.
How I responded:
My family insisted that I go to college, but I realized I was paying just to feel inadequate and resentful towards my professors, so I left school. Everyone thought I'd get nowhere without a degree, but hey, I've done just fine! Then, later, when I got my ADHD diagnosis, my family was skeptical. They were nervous about me taking medication and in denial that I had a learning issue. But you shouldn't have to ask for permission to take care of yourself; you just need to find your support system!
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I had some teachers say some horrible things to me as a child because they didn't know how to deal with my attention issues. Back then, kids were just starting to be diagnosed with some frequency, but so many people thought it was a made-up disorder!
At one point, I had to take a leave of absence from my job-I couldn't focus, I couldn't get anywhere on time, I was depressed. I was 25 when a friend told me I should go get an evaluation for ADHD; my diagnosis and medication revolutionized my life.