Anxious and despondent about everything.

[Courtney_D]

Hello everyone,

I’m currently 20 years old and haven’t had any paid employment (main source of my worries). I’m also a carer for both my grandparents and brother, as well as being a full-time student studying a double major in History and Anthropology/Sociology. At the moment I’ve managed to commit myself to seven volunteer programs, two involving education for disadvantaged children, three museum/heritage programs and another two for cancer charities. Next year I’m going to study part-time while taking a Cert 3 in Health Administration to secure a temporary backup plan as a medical receptionist until I can (hopefully) secure a career in the museum sector.

Despite my volunteer experience for the previous three years, I can’t find a job. I keep applying for many on Seek and Indeed, however, I either receive no response or told my family obligations are impractical for employment (quite understandable, I suppose).

Anyhow, it just makes me feel completely inadequate that I can’t secure any form of employment and quite despondent when looking towards the future. I’m just so anxious about never getting a job and feeling as though I’m so hopeless at everything.

Sincerely,

Courtney D.

[tranzcrybe]

Hi Courtney,

Welcome to Beyond Blue! The forums are are a great way to find support and advice, and I would like to say you are certainly doing all the prep work to secure your future with studies and volunteering - Well done.

I remember when my dad was looking for work (second time around) and he was constantly knocked back - he was too qualified for the positions he sought and this intimidated prospective employers.

Of course you are just starting your journey, but what I am suggesting is that sometimes you only want to provide the information necessary to get the job, not your whole story.

You have all the training and background to succeed, don't lose faith in yourself.

Regards,

t.

[posvibe]

Hey Courtney,

First of all- you should not feel despondent due to the amount of amazing things you are already doing with your life! And... you are only 20 years old.

By the amount of volunteer work, caring duties whilst also being a full time student, despondence should be absent from your mind because you are already smashing life from just these credentials.

Obviously at the moment in the time of COVID, the job market is terrible and is also out of all of our control. I think you should really focus on what you are doing as of now, and how this really will set you up with a world full of opportunities in the future.

Keep going- your doing so well already.

Posvibe.

[Dove20]

Hi Courtney,

I understand how you feel. I'm also in a similar position as you as I am a carer and a full-time student. I've also interned at a firm and undertook 2 virtue internships (designed because of covid). Still, I can't get an office job. It's been a bummer. I think it is like this for a lot of people. It especially sucks if you don't know someone in the industry who can help you get your foot in the door. The number of times I've spoken to people in my tutorials who have jobs because of their parents or their parent's connection have driven me crazy in the previous years. But I've learnt to change my perspective on these matters. Sometimes life will be harder for some people like us. We are dealt shitty hands and it stops us from progressing as fast as we want in our careers or life. But just know that you will feel more satisfied when you do reach your goals because you will know that you persevered despite the odds and got to where you want to be on your own.

I understand that you feel despondent about your future as your situation makes it difficult to find employment. I feel this way too. Sometimes, I'll try to make myself feel better about my situation by finding joy in the fact that I am caring for my family. Maybe this can be your new perspective?

Dove.