Suzanne in ABQ Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 So, someone close to me, a 21 year old young woman, needs to get a summer job. Problem is, just the thought of making first contact, interviewing, and committing to go to work and deal with people throws her into an anxiety attack. Actually, just looking at job listings has caused her to hyperventilate and cry on occasion. She is getting professional help for the anxiety and depression, but she needs a job this summer to help pay for college. She's filled out several online applications, but can't get herself to walk in and introduce herself. She was offered a short-term job in a flower shop to help with Mother's Day rush, and she turned it down (even though she worked there pre-Valentine's Day, and did well). She is a full time college student (just finished her fourth year, but she's not graduating due to changing majors). She functions well in school, but the thought of dealing with the public (either on the phone or in person) throws her into panic mode. Is there any type of job she could get to earn some money for college while she is working her way over this hump? As I mentioned, she is getting professional help (a psychologist and her MD). She's highly functioning, but if she spends too much time alone, she gets depressed, and if she spends too much time with people (even her loving family), she gets overwhelmed. She's normally very creative, but those desires and ideas have been squelched by her depression. She has worked at Subway before, and did well, but she doesn't want that level of constant customer interaction now. She would do well in a quiet office setting, I think, or a task oriented job, maybe something she could do at home. Oh, and she hates programming, though she has learned several languages (C++ and Matlab, to name a couple). Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Has she also tried a therapist? That was extremely helpful to me when going through a bout of anxiety/depression I do think encouraging behind the scenes jobs might be good for the short term. Dish washing, food prep, stocking, etc. working from home or online might be good if you can find something. But on the other hand that also might be isolating. Is this your adult child? I’d be as supportive and hand holding as possible while walking through the process of both dealing with the depression and anxiety and finding a job that is a short term fit. If she were in my home for the summer I would push hard for her to have a schedule of sorts. Sleeping, daily outdoor walk/exercise, regular meal times, time spent on job apps. I’d talk to her gently about longer post college plans. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 It sounds like getting the job is as much a problem as the job itself? The best approach seems to me like it would be either to try and get something through someone she knows, or maybe try to get some support around doing the job hunting, to help her manage it. I'm not sure there are a lot of shortcuts there. I have some significant social anxiety myself, and I will say that not all jobs dealing with others were a problem. It was actually ideal to have a few people I worked with regularly, because quite quickly they became known quantities and it provided some needed interaction. I didn't even find public interaction a problem if it was very scripted kinds of things - fast food kind of stuff for example. Working totally alone just doesn't do much to alleviate loneliness. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaitlinC Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Shelving books/preparing books for circulation in a library? As a teen, I found those jobs soothing without being isolating. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lecka Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Maybe prep cook in a restaurant where she would be there before they opened. I agree about stocking. Night stocker is a job I think can be low customer contact but potential for work friends. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 She might try dog walking, but most places want more than a summer commitment. Cat visits, however, are usually once a day and just short term. Could she develop a profile on Care.com or Rover.com and see if she gets any hits? She would have to meet an owner once, and then just go to an empty house once a day. I usually charge $15 for a 20 minute visit. If she's willing to do overnights (which I can see being stressful, but just throwing it out there), she can charge 50-65 a night in this area; you will have to check normal fees in your area. This involves sleeping at the place, and staying there--usually 6pm to 7pm or some permutation of that. If it's dog sitting, they will need a midday walk, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Lawn mowing/gardening? She could either do it on her own or work for a parks department or golf course. House cleaning? I used to do that as an introverted college student and loved it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 How is she with kids? Lots of families need summer nannies. Maybe that would be a good way for her to practice people-skills too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rose Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Chambermaid. I did this as a young adult in a high end B&B. You rarely have to talk to anybody. It's also good for summer work because they need extra help that time of year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rose Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 I thought of another job. Working in a plant nursery is also good work. You spend all day doing things like weeding bedding plants or sticking labels into them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted May 18, 2018 Author Share Posted May 18, 2018 Wow, you guys. These are some wonderful ideas that I hadn't even considered. I'm gonna write them all down, and share them when the time is right. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamanthaCarter Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Things that immediately come to mind are Clicklist or similar, working for a landscaping or housecleaning service. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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