The Tale of Two Grads: Why One Launched a Career—and the Other Got Stuck
Every summer, I watch the same story unfold. Two students graduate with the same degree from the same university at the same time. But just a few months later, their lives look completely different. One of them is building momentum—excited about interviews, making progress, and starting to feel confident. The other is spiraling—stuck, overwhelmed, and doubting themselves more with each passing week.
As an ADHD Career Coach who has helped hundreds of young adults navigate the messy transition from college to career, I call this "The Tale of Two Grads." Let me introduce you to Chase and Chance.
Chance: Drifting and Overwhelmed
Chance moved back home after graduation to take a break. The first couple of weeks were fine—some late nights, catching up with friends, and a much-needed exhale after years of academic stress.
But by early June, the pressure starts to build. Parents start asking questions:
“Have you started applying?” “Any interviews lined up?”
So Chance opens his laptop, stares at the blank job board search bar… and freezes.
What should I even search for? What do I want to do?
That wave of indecision turns into a loop of avoidance.
He opens a game instead. Or scrolls. Or closes the laptop altogether.
His sleep schedule tanks. His motivation dips. The shame sets in.
He starts to feel like he’s falling behind, and every attempt to get moving just makes him feel more defeated.
He’s floating—stuck in what I call the "post-grad paralysis loop."
If you’re reading this and feeling like Chance… you’re not alone. This is incredibly common, especially for young adults with ADHD.
Chase: Slowing Down to Speed Up
Chase also moved home, but he made a decision:
“I’m not going to rush into applying for jobs. I want to figure out what I actually want first.”
He sets a simple routine—daily walks, workouts, journaling, cooking. He gives himself space to reflect:
What are my strengths?
What do I actually enjoy doing?
Where do I want to go next?
This early investment in self-discovery pays off. He’s not trying to land a job yet—he’s designing a life.
By mid-June, while Chance is panic-applying to 10+ random jobs a day, Chase is having coffee chats with professionals. He’s researching companies that interest him, exploring different industries, and mapping out possible paths.
He creates three plans:
Plan A: A stretch role that excites him
Plan B: A realistic fit based on his skills
Plan C: A stable fallback option that he could grow in
He updates his LinkedIn, tailors his resume, and starts applying strategically.
By August, he’s landed six interviews—from only ten applications.
The Difference? It’s Not Talent—It’s Approach.
Chase and Chance have the same degree. Same GPA. Same start line.
So what made the difference?
It wasn’t hustle. Or luck. Or being “better.”
It was strategy.
👉 Chase reflected. Then explored. Then narrowed. Then targeted.
👉 Chance panicked. Then applied. Then spiraled.
This is what I help clients do every day inside my ADHD Career Coaching Program.
Because if you're trying to figure out your next step—not just land any job, but build a meaningful future—you need a better path, not more pressure.
What Most Job Seekers Get Wrong
The typical advice out there is:
“Just apply to everything. It’s a numbers game.”
But that approach backfires when you:
Don’t know what you’re looking for
Haven’t built confidence in your value
Aren’t tailoring your materials
Are applying from a place of fear, not clarity
If you have ADHD or anxiety, the shame spiral hits fast. Each rejection feels personal. Each new day feels harder to start.
The truth is: you’re not behind. You’re not broken.
You just need structure, support, and a smarter strategy.
The ADHD Career Change Process
In my coaching, I guide clients through a 12-week transformation—step by step—just like Chase’s journey.
Here’s a preview of what that looks like:
Weeks 1–3: Reset and Reflect
Establish basic routines for energy and clarity
Identify your unique strengths, interests, and values
Start building momentum (without applying to jobs yet)
Weeks 4–6: Explore and Expand
Dream big—before narrowing
Map out possible career directions (Plan A, B, C)
Start talking to people doing the work you're curious about
Weeks 7–9: Focus and Target
Refine your direction
Build tailored resumes and update LinkedIn
Research companies that match your goals
Weeks 10–12: Apply with Intention
Create a simple, trackable system for applications
Leverage ADHD-friendly tools to stay consistent
Prepare for interviews with confidence
Ready to Stop Drifting?
If you’ve been feeling like Chance—stuck, unsure, and doubting yourself—there’s nothing wrong with you.
But you do need to interrupt the spiral.
Whether you’re a recent grad, a parent watching your child struggle, or an adult with ADHD looking for your “next step,” the path forward is more doable than it seems.
Let’s build it together.
📥 Download my free ADHD Career Change Guide – a starter roadmap to get clear, get confident, and get moving:
https://lifesketch.activehosted.com/f/9
🎓 Ready for coaching? Learn more about our hybrid life + career coaching programs here:
https://lifesketch.co/adhd-career-change or https://lifesketch.co/job-search-accelerator