Take the leap. Pack a parachute.

planets

About the Course…

Unlock Your Career PathA Course for Neurodivergent Adults and Teens is based on the 5-Star rated Your Next Career Move MasterClass developed by Shell Mendelson.

This course answers the question: “What do I want in my work, and how do I get started.” It…

  • helps you become more confident in your choices and next steps when it is time to make the next career move and the next.
  • aids you in defining your career path to suit the conditions that will allow you to seek out opportunities that match your specific needs.
  • supports you in easily navigating career possibilities that reflect your
    uniqueness and define a fulfilling, purposeful work life that is ever expanding and energizing.

What’s Inside the Course Book…

  • The course book is inspired by the What Color Is Your Parachute “Flower” model by Richard N. Bolles, yet contoured for the ADHD, neurodiverse population using the “Planets” model. 
  • The dynamic Planets you complete, step-by-step, will create a “Career Galaxy” or path that you can follow before making another ineffective career move or decision. 
  • Then you can easily navigate career possibilities that reflect your uniqueness and define a fulfilling, purposeful work life that is ever expanding and energizing.
  • Create the roadmap to your Career Galaxy, and never again have to second guess your career decisions.
Businesswoman standing at a crossroads, contemplating which path to choose
Woman sitting in a chair, writing on a notebook

How to Use the Course Book…

  • This user-friendly course book provides pages for you to write your answers, and can be completed over a short or long period of time.
  • It can be shared individually or in a group with other ADHD career-focused individuals.
  • It can also be effectively utilized in schools, university career centers, as a teaching aid, in non-profits that serve the neurodiverse community, and a host of other venues.
  • It is available in physical book AND fillable PDF formats.

Unlock Your Career Path: A Course for Neurodivergent Adults and Teens” is that
roadmap you need to understand how career choice and your
unique ADHD brain-wiring intersect, so the “cream can rise to the top” and your choices are clear.

I am so excited to finally offer this invaluable roadmap.
And, although it will 100% work for the neurodiverse population,
neurotypical adults or teens can easily navigate the course as well.
May your journey always be sweet, joyful, and fulfilling!”

~ Shell Mendelson

Develop confidence in taking a clear next step in your career,
whether it be a specific job, career path, lateral move,
a new or refined business model.

It is all here in living color.

NEW cover. (July 2024 front page)pdf

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Here's what people are saying...

Julie
Amazon Review
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“I ordered the book not knowing what to expect but WOW! I ordered the poster along with the book and together I am sure I will find my way. The book is clear and written especially for person with ADHD traits. I just started and already know my past processes to my chosen career was completely wrong for me. The book goes on to help with getting clarity, transitioning and most importantly finding the career that best interests me. As many ADHD people know, we CAN do anything we set out to do, we are top notch dreamers and go-getters. However, this book explains best what career is best for the long term. The book arrived fast and in great condition. This is a must must must read manual for anyone really. More importantly tho it is written in a way I could easily understand and appreciate. Thank you Shell for all the thought and effort you obviously put in to this project. I will be working on my new journey using your ideas and guidance.”
Duchess of Boston
Amazon Review
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This book will astound you! Shell is a career genius. ADHD or not, you'll love this book. Shell has poured her decades of experience of career coaching into this book and it is amazing! This is not a book for reading, this is a book for doing. The sooner you can get started, the sooner you can get to your next custom-fit opportunity that will help you shine. There's so much to gain from going through this book and find Shell on many podcasts to gain more insight into the transformation that Shell's experience and book can bring to your career and life purpose.
Mom of 3 Boys
Amazon Review
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“What Color is Your Parachute was required reading for my senior seminar class. It gave me great insight as a college senior. At career crossroads in my early 30’s, I read the book again. All the exercises confirmed I was on the right track. Now, as an ADHD Coach, I am so excited to see an updated version of this book. Too many of our ADHD students have struggled through school and have great uncertainty as young adults. The result could be years of working in a job or for a company that drains your soul. But – how to change the course? Read this book!! This book starts with helping you remember things you loved doing and were good at doing. There’s a bit soul searching, list making and prioritizing what you really enjoy (or dislike). By the end of the book, you will have created a storyboard (my word, not the author’s) of skills and traits you like to use, people you like to work with and for, environments that are important and industries that you find engaging. While “ADHD” is in the book’s title, this is a book for everyone who wants to change their path.”
Amos Osinya
OnlineBookClub.org Review
Read More
“Unlock Your Career Path: A Course for Neurodivergent Adults and Teens” by Shell Mendelson is a highly engaging book. The author takes the reader through a career galaxy of planets, which is a personal roadmap to unraveling one’s brain demands based on skills and traits. The planets present simple steps to help one identify which career is exciting, what works, what is unique, and what is important to you. Shell comprehensively discusses events from childhood, safekeeping self, online search, international interviews, crafting a compelling vision, and designing their next move. This book aims to help the reader identify a career path that is exciting and satisfying by the end of this exercise. How can you conduct an informational interview? How do you identify an ideal geographical location that suits you and your career? How do you choose a partner to work with? This book clearly illustrates the answers to these questions. I liked this book. It is a highly engaging book. There are exercises in almost all chapters to give the reader a chance to put into practice the author’s guidelines. The author narrated several anecdotes to stress their points. Moreover, the author used simple language that all readers can understand. There are no complex words that require a dictionary. I didn’t find anything in this book to make me dislike it. The author explained every concept elaborately and briefly. I didn’t encounter grammar errors that could make me not understand any concept. I give this book a 5 out of 5-star rating. It was professionally and flawlessly edited. I did not see any grammar or typo errors. In addition, this is an important book for neurodivergent adults and teens keen on identifying their careers. I therefore recommend it to neurodivergent adults and teens with ADHD. Unlock Your Career Path: A Course for Neurodivergent Adults and Teens is an interesting book I recommend reading more than once.”
Elizabeth
Amazon Review
Read More
Highly Recommended! I've worked in recruiting field and helping people advance their careers for 25+ years. There are so many career planning books out there- this is , by far, the best I've ever seen. This clear, practical, user- friendly, and visually appealing workbook guides you through identifying your unique preferences and conditions, exploring areas of interest, and successfully navigating your next career move. Even though the focus is on the neurodivergent community , I highly recommend this to anyone looking for career direction!
Veronica Bailey
Amazon Review
Read More
Masterfully written Although am not diagnosed with ADHD, Unlock Your Career Path has taken me on an enlightening journey that I can't wait to share with my 21 year old as she moves closer to finding her lifes work. What I appreciate most is the authors ability to capture the spirit and joy of navigating the world around you to live ones best life!!! Kudos Shell Mendelson, I am looking forward to your next course book.
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“I ordered the book not knowing what to expect but WOW! I ordered the poster along with the book and together I am sure I will find my way. The book is clear and written especially for person with ADHD traits. I just started and already know my past processes to my chosen career was completely wrong for me. The book goes on to help with getting clarity, transitioning and most importantly finding the career that best interests me. As many ADHD people know, we CAN do anything we set out to do, we are top notch dreamers and go-getters.

However, this book explains best what career is best for the long term. The book arrived fast and in great condition. This is a must must must read manual for anyone really. More importantly tho it is written in a way I could easily understand and appreciate. Thank you Shell for all the thought and effort you obviously put in to this project. I will be working on my new journey using your ideas and guidance.” ~ Julie (Amazon Review)

“What Color is Your Parachute was required reading for my senior seminar class. It gave me great insight as a college senior. At career crossroads in my early 30’s, I read the book again. All the exercises confirmed I was on the right track. Now, as an ADHD Coach, I am so excited to see an updated version of this book. Too many of our ADHD students have struggled through school and have great uncertainty as young adults.

The result could be years of working in a job or for a company that drains your soul. But – how to change the course? Read this book!! This book starts with helping you remember things you loved doing and were good at doing. There’s a bit soul searching, list making and prioritizing what you really enjoy (or dislike). By the end of the book, you will have created a storyboard (my word, not the author’s) of skills and traits you like to use, people you like to work with and for, environments that are important and industries that you find engaging. While “ADHD” is in the book’s title, this is a book for everyone who wants to change their path.” ~ Mom of 3 Boys (Amazon Review)

“Unlock Your Career Path: A Course for Neurodivergent Adults and Teens” by Shell Mendelson is a highly engaging book. The author takes the reader through a career galaxy of planets, which is a personal roadmap to unraveling one’s brain demands based on skills and traits. The planets present simple steps to help one identify which career is exciting, what works, what is unique, and what is important to you. 

Shell comprehensively discusses events from childhood, safekeeping self, online search, international interviews, crafting a compelling vision, and designing their next move. This book aims to help the reader identify a career path that is exciting and satisfying by the end of this exercise.

 

How can you conduct an informational interview? How do you identify an ideal geographical location that suits you and your career? How do you choose a partner to work with? This book clearly illustrates the answers to these questions.

I liked this book. It is a highly engaging book. There are exercises in almost all chapters to give the reader a chance to put into practice the author’s guidelines. The author narrated several anecdotes to stress their points. Moreover, the author used simple language that all readers can understand. There are no complex words that require a dictionary. 

I didn’t find anything in this book to make me dislike it. The author explained every concept elaborately and briefly. I didn’t encounter grammar errors that could make me not understand any concept.

I give this book a 5 out of 5-star rating. It was professionally and flawlessly edited. I did not see any grammar or typo errors. In addition, this is an important book for neurodivergent adults and teens keen on identifying their careers. I therefore recommend it to neurodivergent adults and teens with ADHD. Unlock Your Career Path: A Course for Neurodivergent Adults and Teens is an interesting book I recommend reading more than once.”

~ Amos Osinya, OnlineBookClub.org review

Shell web pic (1124)

Meet the Author…

Hello!

Before my diagnosis, I was fired from at least 10 jobs in my 20s, replaced as the founder and CEO of an international children’s art franchise, returned to my true calling, got diagnosed, and have been blissfully enthralled with my work life ever since. Now it is time to pass my wealth of experience helping ADHD adults and teens finally come to terms with who they are and what they want in the work they do. It is all about the brain-wiring.

I’m Shell Mendelson, ADHD Career Coach.

I hold a Masters in Vocational and Career Counseling. I have worked with thousands of clients in career transition, developed and written many ADHD career defining articles, developed a successful solopreneur business and masterclass for ADHD adults in career flux. Developing my own career path has taken me through dark moments and back again. The key was always feeling inspired to do the work I truly love…the “how to” of which I am determined to share with the world.

Before 2010, I navigated my world undiagnosed with ADHD. That would put me at an almost “elderly” age. That’s a long time wondering about what an oddity I was. As it is for most neurodiverse humans, it was a rough road, trying hard to fit my “square peg” self into a “round hole” at work and, most dramatically, in the company I founded, KidzArt. Yep, I was the only ADHD executive with ADHD. Me, the founder and CEO. A crazy-assed ADHD leader trying to figure out how those around me were able to operate without the drama.

That’s where my story really begins. The rise and fall of myself as the founder of this international children’s art franchise! It was one of my most accomplished endeavors, yet my inner experience was a calamity. The experience sent me crawling to the book a friend mysteriously sent me 2 years earlier on ADHD. I had proceeded to stuff that book in a drawer, yet I somehow instinctively knew to reach for it when I fell from grace with my own company. I then returned to the work I authentically adore, career counseling and coaching.

Over 35 years ago, I was trained by Richard Bolles, author of “What Color Is Your Parachute?” My goal was to bring this amazing process to my ADHD clients. It has taken over 13 years to put this valuable information together in a one-of-a-kind format.

I have a very big MISSION: to get this course in the hands of all ADHD adults and teens who just need a way to figure this career thing out – step by step. And to help eliminate all the worry about answering the questions “What do I want in my work?” and “How will I get there?” and substitute it for confidence in yourself. With a direction in life, a burden is lifted and you can move forward.

With the diagnosis of ADHD, we must love our work, or at least get a royal kick out of it, to ultimately be fulfilled and productive. And the right tools offered in this course book are a necessary part of your journey.