When carpentry skills and ADHD run in the family

How'd You Get THAT Job?!

Michael Upshall Senior and Junior both have ADHD. This father-and-son duo doubles as boss and employee in their carpentry business, Probuilt Design + Build. In both work and life, they understand how the other thinks.

For Michael Sr., school never matched how his brain worked, and he left high school in the 10th grade. That’s when he took up an apprenticeship, eventually starting his own business. He’s now a master carpenter. And he was diagnosed with ADHD in 2012.

Michael Jr. was diagnosed when he entered high school, so he got the support to help him finish school. He’s been working at his father’s business since he was 12. Now, as an adult, he’s learning the ropes of running a business — while picking up ADHD strategies from his father along the way.

Listen to this week’s episode of How’d You Get THAT Job?! for our first interview with two guests. Get tips to keep track of your thoughts, and learn why contracting could be the right fit for you.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.

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Related resources

• Is ADHD hereditary?
• After high school: Different ways to thrive
• ADHD and the myth of laziness

Introducing "MissUnderstood", the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen Now: lnk.to/missunderstood

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give