10 Worst Jobs for People with Social Anxiety

Receptionists and servers are among the worst jobs for people with social anxiety. Finding the right career is one of the most important decisions in life because you will spend the majority of your life doing it, so you need to choose wisely. Perhaps you’ve read my blog about the 12 best jobs for autistics that build on unique strengths. While I’ve said before that the “best job” is one in which you can thrive and are happy, a job that doesn’t meet your needs can create the opposite.

On the flip side, here are the 10 worst jobs for individuals with social anxiety, which often (but not always) encompasses autism. Let me first add the caveat if this job works for you, then that is terrific! However, for many of us, the sensory overload with these positions makes them a “no-go” in terms of work.

Some of these positions describing autism jobs for adults may make you anxious just reading about the job descriptions, but it’s important to know these things so you know what to avoid and what to go toward. Everyone needs to learn their strengths as well as their challenges so that they can choose the right career. That way, when you’re old you can look back at your life and say you’ve lived a good life.

Identifying the types of autism jobs that are traditionally the poorest fit for individuals with social anxiety and extreme sensory challenges is an important step in helping them navigate the job market and find roles that play to their abilities. By understanding the specific challenges in the workplace of certain careers, individuals with autism and their support systems can make more informed decisions about which jobs to pursue and which to avoid.

LEARN MORE: Top 25 Hurdles Autistic Individuals Face Daily

Based on reports, here are the top 10 worst jobs for people with social anxiety:

1. Receptionist

One of the most common and problematic careers for those with ASD is that of a receptionist at a busy business. This role involves constant interaction with the public, the need to multitask between various administrative duties, and the high potential of sensory overload from the busy office environment.

Receptionists with autism jobs are often the first point of contact for a business, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills to professionally greet visitors, answer phones, and respond to inquiries. For many individuals with autism, this level of social engagement and need for flexibility is extremely taxing.

The noisy, crowded nature of a typical office can also be overwhelming for those with sensory sensitivities. Bright lights, ringing phones, conversations happening all around – all of these common office stimuli can trigger significant distress and difficulty concentrating for someone with autism.

Additionally, the multitasking demands of a receptionist role are very challenging. Needing to juggle answering phones, greeting clients, managing schedules, and handling various other clerical duties simultaneously is cognitively draining for many on the spectrum.

2. Retail Sales

Another exceptionally poorly fitting job for people with anxiety is a career in retail sales. This type of position involves constant interaction with customers, the need to multitask between various sales and customer service tasks, and sensory overload from a busy, crowded store environment.

Retail sales associates are expected to be personable, engaging, and adaptable in their interactions with customers. They need to quickly assess customer needs, recommend appropriate products, and provide exceptional service. For many with ASD and/or anxiety, the social and interpersonal demands of this role are overwhelming.

The fast-paced, high-stimulus nature of a retail store can also be incredibly draining for individuals with autism. The noise, bright lights, and crowds of shoppers are common triggers for sensory overstimulation. And the need to rapidly shift between different tasks and customer interactions requires flexibility that is often challenging for those on the spectrum.

Additionally, the sales component of retail work can be particularly difficult. Needing to be persuasive, read social cues, and manage rejection from customers is a major obstacle for many with autism.

3. Restaurant Server

Challenges in the workplace, especially as it comes to autism jobs, can make finding meaningful work difficult. The fast-paced, high-pressure environment of a restaurant makes serving tables an exceptionally poor career choice for individuals with autism. The constant interaction with customers, need for multitasking, and noisy, crowded setting create an incredibly stressful work experience as autism jobs.

Restaurant servers are expected to have excellent customer service skills, the ability to juggle multiple orders and check-ins simultaneously, and the flexibility to adapt to unexpected situations. These demands are extremely difficult for many on the autism spectrum.

The sensory inputs of a busy restaurant – the noise of clanging dishes, the chatter of other diners, the bright lighting – can also be overwhelming and make it hard for those with autism to focus and perform their duties effectively.

Additionally, the fast-paced nature of restaurant work as autism jobs, with its emphasis on speed and efficiency, creates a level of pressure that is very challenging for individuals who may process information and respond more slowly. The perceived need for masking and fear of making mistakes or falling behind can be paralyzing.

4. Telemarketer

As a job for people with anxiety, a career as a telemarketer is one of the worst options. The need to make numerous phone calls and engage in conversation with strangers is incredibly draining and difficult.

Telemarketers are expected to be personable, persuasive, and adaptable in their interactions with potential customers. They need to quickly assess customer needs, pitch products or services, and handle rejection. These interpersonal and social demands are major obstacles for many with anxiety and/or ASD.

In addition, the repetitive nature of making cold calls all day long can be monotonous and overly taxing for individuals on the spectrum. The lack of variety and constant need to have the same type of conversation repeatedly is cognitively exhausting.

The lack of face-to-face interaction can also be a significant challenge. Without the ability to read body language and social cues, those with autism often struggle to interpret the responses and reactions of the person on the other end of the line.

5. Salesperson

Sales roles, in general, are a poor fit as autism jobs for adults. The need for strong interpersonal and persuasive skills, as well as the pressure to meet sales quotas, makes this type of career path extremely difficult.

Sales can be a difficult job for people with anxiety. Successful salespeople are expected to be charming, confident, and adaptable in their interactions with customers. They need to be able to quickly assess customer needs, pitch products or services, and handle rejection. These social and emotional demands are major obstacles for those on the autism spectrum.

In addition, the fast-paced, deadline-driven nature of sales work can be incredibly stressful. The constant pressure to generate new leads, close deals, and meet monthly or quarterly goals is cognitively draining for many with autism.

The lack of structure and routine in sales roles can also be problematic. Individuals with ASD often thrive when they have predictable schedules and clear expectations. The uncertainty and unpredictability of sales work can be very unsettling.

6. Paralegal

The fast-paced, deadline-driven nature of legal work makes a paralegal job for people with anxiety a poor choice for most individuals with autism. The emphasis on attention to detail, multitasking, and the need to quickly adapt to changing priorities creates a work environment that is incredibly challenging.

Paralegals are expected to juggle numerous projects simultaneously, shifting between different tasks and priorities on a regular basis. This level of flexibility and cognitive load is very difficult for those on the spectrum, who often struggle with executive functioning and the ability to smoothly transition between activities.

The intense focus required for paralegal work, with its emphasis on meticulous document review and organization, can also be draining. While attention to detail is a strength for many when considering autism jobs for adults, the continuous nature of this type of work and the pressure to complete it quickly can lead to overwhelming sensory overload.

Additionally, the fast pace and constantly changing deadlines of the legal field create a high-stress environment that is incredibly difficult for individuals with ASD to thrive in. The fear of making mistakes or falling behind can be paralyzing as among many challenges in the workplace.

7. Social Worker

For people with autism, a career as a social worker is one of the worst options. The requirement for strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the emotionally draining nature of the work, makes this type of role as a job for people with anxiety incredibly challenging.

Social workers are expected to engage in regular, in-depth conversations with clients, assessing their needs and connecting them with appropriate resources and services. This level of sustained, nuanced interaction is exceptionally difficult for many individuals with autism, who often struggle with social skills and emotional regulation.

In addition, the work of a social worker can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. Dealing with the complex, sometimes traumatic, issues that clients face daily can be incredibly draining, particularly for those on the spectrum who may have difficulty separating their own emotions from those of the people they’re serving.

The administrative aspects of social work, such as documentation and reporting, can also be problematic. The need to multitask, shift between different tasks, and maintain meticulous records can be very challenging for those with ASD.

8. Air Traffic Controller

Air traffic controllers have highly stressful jobs, and are hard for those with anxiety. One of the worst possible autism jobs is that of an air traffic controller. The intense focus, fast pace, and high-stress environment of this role is simply too overwhelming for most people on the spectrum.

Air traffic controllers are responsible for the safe and efficient movement of aircraft, both in the air and on the ground. This requires the ability to continuously monitor multiple screens, rapidly process large amounts of information, and make split-second decisions. The cognitive load and pressure of this work is incredibly taxing, even for neurotypical individuals.

For those with autism, the sensory inputs of an air traffic control center – the constant beeping of radios, the chatter of communication, the flashing lights – can be debilitating. The need to maintain laser-like focus amid this level of stimulation is among the enormous challenges in the workplace.

Additionally, air traffic controllers must be able to quickly adapt to unexpected situations and changes in plans. This flexibility and capacity for rapid decision-making is often very difficult for individuals with ASD, who may struggle with executive functioning and the ability to smoothly transition between tasks.

9. Firefighter

The role of a firefighter is another exceptionally poor choice for people with autism. The need to quickly respond to emergencies, work in close-knit teams, and handle the sensory inputs of an active fire scene are all very difficult for those on the spectrum.

Firefighting is not considered ideal as a job for people with anxiety.

Firefighters must be able to rapidly assess situations, make split-second decisions, and coordinate seamlessly with their crew. The fast-paced and high-pressure nature of this work is incredibly taxing, even for those without neurological differences.

The sensory environment of a fire scene can also be overwhelming when considering autism jobs for adults. The loud sirens, flashing lights, extreme heat, and chaotic activity can trigger significant distress and make it nearly impossible to focus and perform effectively.

In addition, the teamwork and communication demands of firefighting are major obstacles for many with ASD. The need to work closely with other crew members, read social cues, and adapt to changing circumstances requires a level of flexibility and interpersonal skills that is extremely challenging for those on the spectrum.

10. Pilot

Similar to air traffic controllers, a pilot is a less-than-ideal job for people with anxiety or autism. The high-pressure, fast-paced nature of piloting an aircraft, with its emphasis on intense focus and rapid decision-making, is not well-suited for the strengths and challenges of most people on the spectrum.

Pilots are responsible for the safe operation of an aircraft, requiring the ability to continuously monitor multiple instruments and systems, communicate effectively with air traffic control, and make quick decisions in response to changing conditions. This level of multitasking and cognitive load is incredibly draining for those with ASD.

The sensory environment of the cockpit can also be problematic. The constant noise, vibration, and other stimuli can be overwhelming and make it difficult for pilots with autism to maintain the necessary concentration and focus.

In addition, the unpredictable nature of flying and the need to rapidly adapt to unexpected situations is a major challenge. Individuals with autism often thrive in structured, predictable environments, and the flexibility required of a pilot is among the enormous obstacles and challenges in the workplace.

Why ‘Worst Jobs’ for People with Social Anxiety Can Be Best for Some

Ultimately, the top 10 worst jobs for people with social anxiety are those that involve high levels of social interaction, sensory stimulation, multitasking, and flexibility—all of which can be incredibly draining and overwhelming for those on the spectrum.

By understanding the specific challenges of these career paths, individuals with ASD and their support systems can make more informed decisions about which jobs to pursue and which to avoid.

However, it’s important to note that the strengths and struggles of those with autism can vary widely. While these 10 careers may be the worst jobs for many, there are always exceptions. Some individuals on the spectrum may thrive in certain aspects of these roles or find ways to successfully navigate the challenges.

The key is to focus on each person’s unique abilities, interests, and needs, and match them to work environments and tasks that play to their strengths. With the right accommodations, support, and job customization, those with autism can find meaningful and fulfilling careers in a wide range of fields.

The key is identifying the right fit and avoiding the jobs that are simply too difficult to overcome.

When it comes to careers for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the key is finding the right fit. While the 10 jobs we’ve explored in this post are generally considered the worst jobs for people with social anxiety and/or on the spectrum, the reality is that the strengths and struggles of people with autism can vary tremendously, so these should be considered generalities only.

Finding a job for people with anxiety involves learning what works best for you. Some individuals with ASD may actually thrive in certain aspects of these seemingly ill-suited roles, while others would be utterly overwhelmed by these potential barriers to job satisfaction. It all comes down to the unique needs, abilities, and interests of each person.

The underlying message here is not that those with autism should be entirely barred from these 10 careers. Rather, it’s about understanding the specific challenges these jobs present and then exploring creative ways to accommodate and support individuals on the spectrum who may want to pursue them.

With the right adjustments to the work environment, job duties, and support systems, many people with autism can find ways to succeed in roles that initially seem like a poor fit. It’s all about identifying their unique strengths, addressing their struggles, and customizing the job to meet their needs.

READ MORE: Neurodiversity in the Workplace – Finding Autistics Jobs

Jobs for People with Social Anxiety Are Whatever Allows Individuals to Thrive

The key is maintaining an open and flexible mindset. While these 10 careers may be considered the “worst jobs” for individuals with autism in a general sense, the reality is much more nuanced. By taking the time to truly understand each person’s situation and needs, we can often find unexpected paths to meaningful and fulfilling work.

Ultimately, the goal should be empowering those with ASD to explore a wide range of career possibilities—not excluding entire job categories based on broad generalizations. With creativity, empathy, and a willingness to adapt, we can help individuals on the spectrum navigate the job market and find roles that allow them to thrive rather than focusing on challenges in the workplace.

The worst jobs may not be so bad after all, if we approach them with an open mind and a commitment to supporting the unique strengths of each person. It’s all about finding the perfect intersection between an individual’s abilities and the right work environment. And that’s a challenge worth taking on.

Do you agree? Disagree? Other jobs you would place on the “worst jobs” list? I’d love to hear from you.  Email me at [email protected]

Additional Challenges Individuals with Autism Face

Learn more about other issues that autistics face:

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Connor McClure

I'm a young adult navigating life with autism. By sharing my experiences and views, I hope to create a better awareness, understanding, and compassion for those on the spectrum. Let's connect!
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