I am an antisocial MBA student considering a whole new career in trucking.

I don't know for sure if I have Asperger's, but I am definitely antisocial. turns out trucking is perfect for me and probably would be for you too. I only have to deal with people on a limited basis like getting food, or at customers. Even at my wedding I think the only thing I said was "I Do", drank some shots and beer, shook a few hands and couldn't wait for the evening to be over.

I can't do the 9-5 thing every days working with the same people every day, love trucking, can set my own schedule and if I don't feel like working tomorrow, I take the day or the week off.

 

Tony, I think you still aren't understanding Asperger's. While everyone is different, the general traits are:

* high IQ
* enhanced concentration
* often rational to the point of oddity
* honest & with very strong internal morals

The flip side of the coin is that we often have a low EQ. Where you can pick up sarcasm naturally, doing so is an intellectual exercise for many Aspies (who generally are very literal). Girlfriend seems mopey so you ask what's wrong. She says "nothing" with an odd inflection. Aspy accepts this at face value goes on with their day rather than persist until gf opens up...

The same goes for body language -- in order to integrate into society as well as I have, I've had to actually study books on body language. For example, when someone you encounter is distraught, you probably pick up on it without really knowing what led you to that conclusion. I have to make a calculation: shaking shoulders, possibly sobbing -- maybe stifled laughter? Hands caressing face -- a self-soothing gesture suggesting angst (a profitable poker tell btw). Eyes watering: spicy food? Extreme laughter? Sadness? I take all of the above and conclude this person is distraught...

Meanwhile, I've probably been staring quizically at them for a few seconds making them uncomfortable so before I can ask what's wrong they bundle their confusion & grief into anger and lash out "wtf are you staring at freak?!". I then think "geeze people suck" and want to go off on my own...


That doesn't mean I'll go postal when cut off by a car -- I actually suspect Aspies have more patience than most. And I can walk up to a clerk and get paperwork signed without freaking out. I just don't usually make eye contact unless I make a concious effort and my speech patterns seem more formal/mechanical so it tends to put people off. I know this, so I'd rather limit my interactions to once every day or two rather than continuously.

 

And that is the point!! We all feel like that.

 

I meant to say too, if you are not currently working you may be able to score some free CDL training. I had been on unemployment for many months when I got the bright idea to go to trucking school.
Turns out most of the other people in the class were there for free just to extend their benefits.

 

Point well taken there zenaddler.......I sincerely appreciate all of the folks trying to help me understand this stuff, I'll be really making an effort to get myself tuned in to it. You can really "teach and old dog new tricks" as long as the old dog is willing...and I most certainly am gonna try.

 

Edward4321 your communication skills are not the issue from what i can see (as far as business is concerned) i would look into dispatch/operations/logistics positions. with the degree your a shoe in they will take you immediately. you sit in front of a screen and work the phones and probably make 34-40k starting home nightly and they often pay for relocation if needed. Try JB Hunt for one they are always looking and they recruit mostly out of college. Good Luck

 

You are most welcome sir...I'll be honest..to start with , I really thought this thread was all about a whiner that was trying to get a free ride like "some folks" do with PTSD....I've had a bellyful of that....but that's a whole nother thread....After doing just a small amount of reading this afternoon , I've seen that I was awfully mistaken....gonna be trying to do my best to get a handle on it though. There is a lot of stuff written about it however...just gotta try and assimilate it slowly....I'm an OLD FART..and sometimes I have to read something a few times before it sinks in good...Thanks to all you guys that have shown some patience and lots class , and handled this discussion with a lot of thoughtfulness....T

 

I am 6 months into trucking after 30 years of service business (car dealerships) my father owned. I became so sick of people customers, co-workers and buddies asking for favors to service or to buy a bmw that all wanted to do was hang out with wife and kids.
Sold house in Md , moved to Bend Oregon. Cut of every friend I have ever knew and havent been happier in I dont know how long.
People have agendas, they lie, cheat, steal. They are lazy, stupid, arrogant, sneeky and usually full of crap most of the time.

I seek no social companionship and dont see that happening in the forseable future,

This disorder works out perfectly if one can teach ones self how to make interactions short and efficient without offending. Once that is mastered your home free.

GO FOR IT. YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE AND IF IT DOESNT WORK OUT YOU HAVE A GREAT FALLBACK SITUATION WITH YOUR MBA 4.0
YOU CAN DO IT!!