topic Anxiety and career in Young people

Anxiety and career

Jords — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 03:13:53 GMT

G'day, I was hoping to get a bit of advice.

I'm currently 20, and suffer/suffered from anxiety. It started around three years ago - it didn't affect my life much, and was here and there. I went and saw my doctor, and he could tell that it was only minor anxiety. So I went to see a psychiatrist to clear things up, and again he suggested that it's only minor anxiety and wouldn't interfere with my career.

The reason I bring this up, is that I'm currently studying towards being a paramedic in NSW. My original goal was to apply for the NSW Police but their restrictions are that you need to be 2 years clear of anxiety before applying, whereas paramedic you don't need to wait a particular amount of years. So I thought I'd use the 2 year wait time to study towards a course, which takes 2 years, and once completed decide between either careers. I'm still pretty focused on becoming a police officer, but it's frustrating to think that anxiety will stop me.

Both my GP and psychiatrist have said it won't affect me during the job, and would write a report that clears me from any issues. I have no ambitions in studying for any other career, other than police or paramedic. While I understand they are stressful jobs, I'd like to think that I'd do well, they are both careers that I'd definitely enjoy.

I was hoping to get advice as to what I should do - should I continue studying and when I get to the point of applying, possibly be rejected because of my history in anxiety? Has anyone been in a similar scenario?

Cheers!

Anxiety and career

AGrace — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 06:54:08 GMT

Hi Jords,

If you can't join the police force for a couple of years, then why not continue studying to be a paramedic? You may find at the end of your studies, being a paramedic becomes your first preference.

You are still very young, and still have plenty of opportunities for career change in the future. Perhaps you will want to start out as a paramedic, see what happens with your anxiety, and if you still want to, and feel well enough then you could make the switch to the police force.

Are you working in any particular field at the moment?

I'll finish by saying choice is always a good thing.

AGrace

Anxiety and career

Jords — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 00:26:35 GMT

Hi AGrace, thanks for your response.

That is true, probably best to continue studying it, but there's also the possibility of studying a bachelor of policing degree for 2 years, then 3rd year is at the police academy, which if if it worked out, the 2 year restriction would expire and I'd get into the academy, without any hiccups.

Or I can continue with this degree, finish in 2 years then either apply for Paramedic NSW which is looking grim in terms of applicant intakes.. Or use that degree to help my competitiveness with applying for the police.. It's a tough call, all while trying to work around this 2 year restriction..

I definitely as you said, have plenty of opportunities for career change. At the moment I just want to get into my career, and to be honest it sucks to see other applicants my age being able to apply for the force but ah well, guess that's the issue of having had anxiety.

Uh, not necessarily, just working as a waiter whilst studying.

Any advice? Not sure what to do hah.

Thanks,

Jords

Anxiety and career

Sea-n-sky — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 11:10:00 GMT

Hi Jordy,

I am an old guy (68 yrs old) and I am not at all sure I am the best person to advise.

At your age, my generation was not exposed to the pressures and stresses that you guys seem to experience these days.

However I have lived my working life so can make some comment which you may care to consider.

When I left school I became a "career man", very much so, in fact. My career was everything and all my energies, earnings and everything else you can think of, were poured into progressing that career. Today, now long retired, I ask myself why did I do that ? The truth of the matter I suppose is because I liked what I was doing. It suited me, it was adventurous, demanding and all of those things which appeal. Boredom and routine seldom raised their heads, no two days were the same. Box ticking was unheard of. Some people described it as a career where you constantly moved from crisis to crisis . I preferred to call it just challenging. Problem solving was a daily routine. I liked it and suppose I got an adrenalin rush out of it. In the fullness of time workmates became "family" in a way. That career became everything to me. Today I say, " It wish I had not let that happen, as all other things took second place." The required health standards were high, and when lost left me with no career at all. It was all downhill after that.

Would I make the same mistake again if the clock could be retarded and I could start over again?

I just don't know. I would hope not to make the same mistake a second time around, but the chances are that I might.

In your case both career paths are commendable, but career is not everything. Some do not harmonise particularly well with the really important things in life, and many are positively detrimental.

If I were in your shoes, with life experiences to consult with, I think I would opt to proceed along the paramedic path first, providing it really appeals to you. At the end of the two years you will have choices open to you. The paramedic way, as I see it means you will not be tying yourself down so much at the beginning. You will be setting out along a path which should leave you more options, two years down the track.

That's the way I see it from here, with an elderly mind, perhaps slightly tarnished by age.

Life is short and fragile - so enjoy it whilst you can - that too, is HIGHLY important.

No one knows what tomorrow may bring.

Best of luck, young fella. 🙂

Anxiety and career

Jords — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 01:03:23 GMT

Hey mate,

Thanks for responding to my post, any advice is good advice!

I definitely understand where you're coming from, and I guess I'm sort of in your position where I'm just keen to get into the career that I want to do for the rest of my life. As you said, either job will be different each and every day.

Valid point though, that career is indeed not everything, but I guess it is a major part of everyone once you hit 20 and start to ease into a chosen career.

Mmm, I've been leaning towards paramedic, not because their anxiety restrictions aren't as strict, but because whether it was paramedic or police, it's something I'd enjoy doing for a long time. So I think I will stick with the degree, and see what happens at the end of the two years. As you said, the choices will be open if things go to plan at the end of the two years. And I am still young so there's no rush.

I greatly appreciate your advice and wisdom mate, definitely appreciate it.

Anxiety and career

Sea-n-sky — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 03:04:08 GMT

That's fantastic - glad to have been of help.

I'll be around for a while, but it seems to me that spending too much time on this website could have a definite detrimental effect.

I've looked at a lot of posts now, and it seems to me there is a lot of tragedy out there. Much more than I had thought.

You'll have to be tough to be a good paramedic - but I expect they will train you properly for that.

The ones (paramedics) that came to get me recently in their helicopter were simply marvellous, and the pilot was a doctor as well.

I fear they may not do it again. Last time they were available immediately, next time may be different if they are out on another call. A younger person must be given preference over an old guy like me. That's essential.

I think you will like being a paramedic providing they train you to look after yourself when faced with trauma, - which you will be.

Good bye.

Anxiety and career

Jords — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 08:19:49 GMT

Thanks again Sea-n-sky.

While I will definitely enjoy being a paramedic, I always tend to focus back onto police as it's something I've wanted to do as a little kid.

At this stage, I'm currently studying a degree which will throw me into second year of paramedic practice, but if I don't get in, I'm contemplating applying for the policing degree at Western Sydney, which takes two years, and third year is at Goulburn.

If my anxiety doesn't cause me any problems during those 2 years of study at Western Sydney, then I should be sweet for Goulburn in the 3rd year.

But in terms of paramedics, and after speaking with them today, they mentioned that anxiety history is approached on a case by case scenario, so if it's minor, like mine then it shouldn't impact my application process. Unfortunately, police have more strict conditions.

So I'm at a cross roads I guess - if I don't get accepted into the paramedic practice degree, then I think I'll study the bachelor of policing degree.

Anxiety and career

Sea-n-sky — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 10:18:45 GMT

Ok Jords, - that sounds pretty good to me, you seem to have it all under control.

What has baffled me a bit is your apparent concern over a seemingly minor anxiety syndrome you believe you have.

I understood that your GP and a specialist had assured you it was only minor in nature.

To me that suggests (providing it is correct) that it should not be in any way detrimental to you. Completely the opposite in fact. A bit of fear, a bit of anxiety, is a good thing. It protects you. It is really essential that you have that, because if you don't then you could be a hazard to yourself, and others working with you.

It should ensure that you do not rush into situations, "where angels fear to tread".

It should cause you to hold back a bit, consider the situations you are faced with, and then, and only then, act upon them.

That is important in that sort of work - it should keep you safe. That's what normal levels of fear and anxiety do. They are a safety valve - if you like.

They only become undesirable and/or detrimental to you when they become excessive.

Seems to me, from what you have said, that the fear and anxiety levels you possess, are actually very healthy, so I suggest you have nothing to worry about there.

If you had no fear and anxiety I believe you would be a danger to yourself and others.

Some fear and anxiety is good. Absolutely necessary, in fact.

It should stop you becoming a "Rambo" or so called "hero".

The graveyards are full of them.

From what you have told me/us, I think your anxiety status is near perfect for what you want to do with your life.

Well that is my opinion anyway.

I certainly would not have wanted you on my team in the past, if you were completely devoid of fear and anxiety. It would have been too risky for me, and everyone else on board.

It strikes me that you are an almost perfectly balanced guy - ideally suited to that sort of work, - any sort of work in fact.

That's what I think.

I just hope it helps, or at least reassures you.

Best Rgds,

Sea-n-sky

Anxiety and career

Jords — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 08:41:33 GMT

Cheers mate for the kind words, unfortunately the NSW Police see it otherwise so I'll have to wait two years. Just not sure what to do I guess..

If I don't get into the paramedic degree then I'm not sure where to go from there. I found out today that they perform a health assessment as you get into the Bachelor of Policing at Western Sydney, which means my ''anxiety'' will affect my chance of being accepted into the degree.

So there's a lot of factors that are blocking me from where I want to go. Not a deterrent, just annoying.

Anxiety and career

Sea-n-sky — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 10:50:41 GMT

Hi again,

Well I certainly wouldn't be losing any sleep over it, at this time.

If, as I believe, your anxiety is minor, as your GP and specialist have said, then I suspect you may be surprised when it comes to that health assessment at Western Sydney. That it will, in fact, work very much in your favour and they will welcome you with open arms.

The impressions they may be giving you at this time, may just be designed to test you, to see if you really want to join them, designed to make you give up trying, if your heart is not truly in it. Don't fall for that trick - it's as old as the hills themselves.

hey create the impression they don't want you, when in fact they really do.

They just want to be sure you want them - that's all.

A sort of reverse psychology - if you like.

Anyhow what will be will be.

If you really want it, then you must go for it .

Things seem so difficult for you guys these days. "Batchelors of Policing" - good lord, - I wonder what they will think of next.

When I was a youngster it was so much easier . If you wanted to join the police then thats what you did, you just went and joined them . After that you let them take care of the "Batchelor of Policing" sort of stuff. Let them worry about it, - not you.

There's little doubt in my mind that there are more pressures on young people today than in my day. I believe also, that therein lies the reason for so much mental illness in young people these days. If I am right, I feel it's somewhat unfair.

I still reckon the paramedic is a good alternative. Looking far into the future, the day will come when after the police force you'll have to "filter" back into "normal society" once again.

That could be, I reckon, much more so than from the world of the paramedic, I should think.

I may be wrong there, but it's something you should perhaps give some thought to.

The other thing you may not have thought about is the future wife and family. Every time a police officer goes out - the reality is these days that he may not come back. That 's a concern. It must put a hell of a strain on the "family situation". It's something else to consider - but not excessively so, - just keep it at the back of your mind. " Don't go overboard on it" - if you know what I mean.

All things in moderation, - as they say.

It's the best advice I can think of. The decisions, of course, are all yours.

Anxiety and career

AGrace — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 10:57:55 GMT

Hi Jords,

Just wanted to ask, do any of the units that you study in the paramedic degree count as potential units toward the policing degree? If you begin work as a paramedic will this count for recognised prior learning for the police degree?

I'm guessing focusing on the paramedic degree to begin with. Look at the police degree and your desire to work in the police force as the overall goal, your just doing other things in order to eventually get there.

The other question I wanted to ask was whether you had considered joining the army?

AGrace

Anxiety and career

Jords — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 11:59:35 GMT

Hi AGrace, thanks for your response.

Uh, some may actually count as potential units. I may look into that further, thanks for the suggestion!

That's true, and a good way of looking at it. I'm just annoyed as to why I have to have anxiety.. And why my circumstance, it being minor has to put my life on hold. I guess you can say anxiety does shape your life.

While yes, I'm still young, and it isn't a deterrent to what I want to do, just silly that both jobs which are equal in stress, maybe one more so than the other, have completely different restrictions in terms of anxiety. Police is two years, whereas paramedic is probably less than 6 months depending on your circumstance. And at this stage, all that I keep focusing on is the police force.

While I'm still young - 20, I just want to reach my ambition, and not have to wait.

I don't yet know if I can even get into the paramedic degree as I find out at the end of the year. Not sure what I'll do from there.

Mmm.. Not really actually, but I'd imagine their mental health requirements would be a lot more intense than police.

Thanks again for responding to my issue, AGrace!

Anxiety and career

Sea-n-sky — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 13:03:23 GMT

Hi again,

You say there are a lot of factors blocking you from where you want to go.

I just want to ask you, are you certain of that.

I just have a feeling that maybe you are being slightly pessimistic, and that maybe there are fewer barriers than you think.

You also say "they perform a health assessment as you get into the Bachelor of Policing at Western Sydney", which means my ''anxiety'' will affect my chance of being accepted into the degree."

As your anxiety has already been assessed as minor by your GP and a specialist, have you considered that just possibly the minor anxiety you have, may actually work in your favour when the time comes when they perform that health assessment.

I wouldn't expect they would indicate that to you at this stage. However I do feel that at the time of the assessment, they will view a " minor anxiety" as something of a desirable attribute, rather than a barrier to entry.

I think you may be anticipating barriers which will not be there, when you arrive the start of the Bachelor of Policing at Western Sydney. I hope so at any rate.

Anyhow, if you are not successful it won't be the end of the world.

If you don't get in - well perhaps that will be their loss, rather than yours. There will be other avenues for you to consider. Keep an open mind, and don't over stress yourself about barriers which may not exist.

Go out and enjoy yourself - have some fun in the meanwhile - that is important as well, very important, in fact.

Smile a bit, laugh a bit, relax a bit, and most of all be happy.

Cheers.

Anxiety and career

Jords — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 00:03:38 GMT

Hi Sea-n-sky, and thanks again mate for responding to my issue.

Mmm, I'm not a very confident bloke, so I guess you could say as a result of that, I'm immediately assuming that there are just constant barriers stopping me from getting to where I want to go.

While I wish it was like that, from what I understand, and what an assessing doctor mentioned yesterday that works apart of 'Recovre' - the people that perform the medical assessment, has said even with minor anxiety, it's best I wait the two year mark. But you provide a valid point, and I wish it was like that. I'll look further into what the university says and go from there.

You do provide a valid point when you state... The impressions they may be giving you at this time, may just be designed to test you, to see if you really want to join them, designed to make you give up trying, if your heart is not truly in it. Don't fall for that trick - it's as old as the hills themselves

But then again who knows. While they have mentioned many applicants with a history of anxiety do get through after the 2 years, and does help my determination, it's just the idea of waiting 2 whole years of sitting on my ass haha.

I'll definitely see how I go with the paramedic degree, if I go well then I'll get into the course next year, but if not then I'll need to wait a year before applying again. The fact they are only accepting 100 of a potential of 1,000 applicants is certainly competitive!

Thanks again mate!

Anxiety and career

Sea-n-sky — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 04:40:35 GMT

No worries young fella,

I'm pleased to have been of some help !!

In your last post you really came through loud and strong, when you said , and I quote:-

" it's just the idea of waiting 2 whole years of sitting on my ass haha."

I know precisely what you mean by that comment.

Believe me it its "sickening" at my age, even after retiring.

At your age, it'could drive you crazy - IN THE METAPHORICAL Sense.

Anyhow it seems you know where you want to go, and how to get there.

It's the getting there that's most important - the route that you take in getting there is of secondary importance - but still has to be a part of the plan.

" Cost effective and safe Navigation - if you like.

Ha Ha - Yes. You'll be O.K. --- I am sure.

"wherever it is you end up" .

I am soooooooooooo happy today. I didn't know, I could still do this sort of stuff.

It's been a very long time since I did.

Cheers & Thanks.

Sea-n-sky

Anxiety and career

Jords — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 09:36:53 GMT

At this stage and since speaking with the university, my options are to either.

1. If I get accepted into the paramedic degree next year, then I think I'll stick with it, finish it in the 2 years and then decide where I want to go from there. It'll have been 2 years so I'm I'm out of the exclusion but I can apply for either paramedic or police, I justwon't have a police degree but I guess a paramedic degree would be beneficial in terms of competitiveness. Or if I do get accepted, I can still try and get into the Bachelor of Policing degree and know that I'll be closer to the police as a career

2. If I don't get accepted into the degree, try and get into Bachelor of Policing, which takes 2 years and then third year is at Goulburn, that is if you pass the physical/medical/etc just before Goulburn, so I should just be right in terms of exclusion. If not and my medical isn't right, I can continue with the policing degree for the third year, and try other fields that are apart of policing.

Tough choice, but it's a plan I guess, and better than nothing. See what happens.

Anxiety and career

Sea-n-sky — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 12:00:16 GMT

Hi,

Well that looks pretty good to me.

If I were in your shoes and could turn the clock back about half a century, I reckon I'd go with the option #1.

Anyway - best of luck with it all.

Always remember it's your life though, not the universities.

Best of luck,

Sea-n- sky

Anxiety and career

AGrace — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 13:18:11 GMT

Hi Jords,

A really good plan, and well researched. So the degree doesn't start until next year? Now you have your 2 options, no more procrastinating:)

Good luck!

AGrace

Anxiety and career

Jords — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 06:23:17 GMT

While I've back tracked a little, I've decided to apply for the NSW Police whilst studying. I've realised that while I may have an issue with the medical, it's a case by case process. So there's no black and white answer. I've been told by my psychiatrist that it won't interfere with the job, and that I should apply.

I guess the NSW Police suggested 2 years as that is the general guideline, but when you look at it case by case, then there's a chance.

Anxiety and career

Sea-n-sky — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 11:43:42 GMT

Hi again,

Well that is just brilliant. I can see you' re a clever guy.

As you say there is no black and white answer to these things.

That's because we do not live in a black and white world.

A future police commissioner ? Well why not ?

If that's what you want, it's up to you. Nothing is impossible, You've just got to want it, and then give it your best shot.

That's planning in the real world also.

You start with the basic plan and as soon as you've made it, you invariably start tinkering with it - constantly improving it and adjusting it as you go along, and at every stage along the way.

All Plans have to be flexible in the real world, as nothing is static - things are constantly changing as you go along. Therefore you constantly have to re-adjust your plan as those changes take place, to cater or compensate for them. Already your plan is meeting all those criteria - well done. You are a flexible guy, ( I can tell)and that is a highly desireable attribute as well.

I believe you are now well and truly on the way to achieving your objectives. The time will come one day when you will finally say "Mission Accomplished", I feel sure.

I wish I was young again, like you.

Cheers.

Sea-n-sky

Just get on with it.

Cheers.

P.S. Captain is what I'm used to - not mate.