working and finding jobs

[HamSolo01]

Hey

been on this thread for a while but decided to start up a new post about work and jobs and what works for each person. I think mental illness has the potential to hold you back from employment (certainly something that has happened to me). I'm on the mend and I'm just wondering what it is people do for work. How'd you get to where you are now? What worked and didn't work? etc.

Thanks 🙂

[Nervybella]

Hi HamSolo,

What a great idea for a thread! Employment/working has been a trigger for my anxiety, and I often wonder how people do it!

I started my first full time job at the start of this year after graduating from my studies.

My first job...I lasted around 2 weeks. I hit my absolute lowest point during this time. I don't want to go into too much detail now (want to go to bed soon and don't need to start thinking about it), I left that job, had a month or 2 off then got another job, that I'm currently in.

While it is much better than the first, I find myself struggling with working 9-5, 5 days a week. I feel as though I have no "me time".

My contract is up soon, and if I get offered an ongoing position, I think I want part time work.

Has anyone else found part time better? Or worse? Any input on this is appreciated!!

HanSolo- Glad to hear you are on the mend, what is it that you do for work? Are you in a job that caters for/is understanding of your mental health?

Look forward to discussing this more!

Bella

🙂

[HamSolo01]

Hey

I'm currently in my final year of uni (been there for 5 years doing the same degree). Graduated high school end of 2011. My mental health took a hit for the worst. It effects me in different ways (like all of us I guess). Was in hospital last August for a day and then again last month. Only a day because I hated it there. But I was there as I was suicidal. Naturally this has effected my work life balance.

Currently I just work as an english tutor for high school kids. It's all done through an agency. But it is hard when you have to compete with other tutors who get ranked top of the state in their subject. Good thing is that next year the hsc syllabus changes entirely so whether or not someone got a 99 in english isn't relevant. It's the skill that matters. Atm you can just copy paste answers to questions. Ridiculous really. But yet still, it's not enough money to live on my own.

I did an internship with uni at the start of the year, so im hoping that if anything comes up at uni in the short to medium term I can take it up. It won't be related to what I study. But that doesn't concern me tbh. What I study is so broad and general. I've been applying for govt graduate stuff too but its fiercely competitive.

I'm considering taking up uber driving soonish as uni is done for the semester. Figured it's easy money. PLus it might help me with my anxiety and depression.

Life....

[Nervybella]

Hi HamSolo,

Sorry to hear that you had to be admitted to hospital, I imagine that would be hard, but at least you were in the care of professionals.

Good on you for tutoring! That always interested me, but I'm in a field now that doesn't really require it. I work in the travel industry - it's quite full on and there are a lot of feisty, competitive people that I have come across. The TOTAL opposite of my personality haha

I think uber driving sounds interesting...you could work as much or as little as you like? Which could be good for your anxiety?

Life can feel tough sometimes, but jus think, you're helping people with your tutoring! That has to make you feel good 🙂

Speak soon

Bella

[james1]

Hey Bella,

I have been considering part time too because it would allow me to do some of the things I want to do. Things I would want to do as an alternative or secondary career if only I had the time to actually get better at them. But one of my biggest questions is about money.

It sounds crappy to say that money matters, but it does. It's super stressful and frustrating when you only have enough money to cover basic living costs. For example, if I dropped to part time, I wouldn't be able to afford my psychologist or travel out of Sydney - things which really matter to my mental state.

Perhaps instead it's a matter of finding a full time job which fits our personality and we feel comfortable doing?

Hey Hamsolo

I started doing private tutoring for school kids when I was in year 9, which is something I've continued even till now. I then picked up a casual job at KFC for two years in year 10, then took two years off in year 12 and first year uni. In second year uni, I picked up a tutoring job at uni for two years as well as a student program coordinator in third year uni. Graduated with a graduate job at CBA where I've been in the last 4.5 years.

I definitely agree that mental illness has the potential to hold us back. But while I like to think that my recent bout in the last year and a half has set my career back massively in my current career path, and that I could be further if not for my on-going issues, the truth is probably less dramatic. It's probably just that while others got distracted from their career by drinking, I got distracted by my own thoughts.

I think there's a big gulf between expectation and reality. We expect there to be a lot of crappy employers, and there's also definitely bias favouring people without mental illness. But there are also so many people employed who have mental illness and a lot of employers who would just hire whoever can do the job.

We disclose what we need to and we control the symptoms we can. We have a surprising ability to keep our mental illness separate from work.

I think it just comes down to making your mental illness a non-problem career wise. If you find a job you like and believe that you can do the job - and I honestly think you can - and you learn how to do interviews, offers will come. Mental illness is only a problem if you make it into one - there are enough good employers out there who will trust you.

We have it harder, but it's just as possible.

James

[HamSolo01]

@NervyBella

uber driving would be temporary while im finishing up at uni, figured i need to focus primarily on that for now.

Tutoring is something I enjoy but I don't know if I'm actually THAT good considering I currently work with students who are already at a high level. It's working with the students who are at a lower level that worries me, because I don't know how to help them as much if that makes sense.But nevertheless helping people is good, one of my students was close to giving up on school. Basically had to say to her not to. Managed to convince her to keep going.

Travel industry sounds good. Except of course for the crazies haha.

@James

Sounds like you've had a pretty good run despite your mental health. That inspires me 🙂 You are dead right too. Money does matter. However I think it is bad to think that it's everything. Which makes your point even more important - do something you enjoy that matches your personality. I guess at this point I'm finding out my personality "is".

The more I think about my scenario the more I think that it will help me in my career (Whatever that looks like and turns out to be). I think I'm fairly certain I want to do something where I communicate/work with/talk/write for people. That's really broad I know, but the reality is that it's something I have developed over the past number of years. Once I get an idea in my mind about something (be it politics, history or even mental health) I can write fluently about it and I really enjoy it. In this day and age writing is all over the place and so much of it is garbage (mass media, bogus politicians, twitter) so I think I need to do something where I combine my passion for communication with my own brain and self-awareness. I guess I'm trying to say that I want to turn my mental illness into a strength? I really don't know. I have some ideas up my sleeve and I guess now is as good a time as any to put them out into the world (it includes starting up a blogosphere on politics and such and also writing a book - i mentioned the book in the other thread as i feel it would be a way for me to process my mental health journey so far. Mix it in with a bit of romanticized university experience and a hint of tragedy. I guess that's the advantage my mind has? being able to think in abstract ways and take different approaches. It's simply a case of motivating myself. Hard thing really. But we all start somewhere.

Thanks though 🙂 reading both your stuff has helped.

[Nervybella]

Hi James,

Part time work really appeals to me so then I would have time to really explore some hobbies. But unfortunately, as you said, money comes into it. I'm still livid at home at the moment, so losing a day or twos wages probably wouldn't have a huge impact at the moment. However, if I were to love out I possibly could afford it 😕

I quite enjoy my work, but just long for some extra time away from the office...guess we will just have to wait and see what happens

Hamsolo:

At least you are pushing yourself and doing something, even if it is just temporary. I think that sounds really exciting about your book and writing in general! What a great way to tell your story and get those thoughts out of your head 🙂

Im really keen to hear what jobs other people have now/have had in the past and how they have dealt with mental illness

Bella

[Banjoman]

Hello everyone.

Great idea for a thread.

I also agree with James, money does matter. If I didn't work I could afford things which really matter to my mental health e.g. eat healthy, travelling and art supplies.

Anxiety and illiteracy has been hard on me, both finding and at staying in work. When I left high school I got my first job a Gas Meter Reader. I enjoyed that job for awhile because I got to explore the city and country side suburbs on foot. It was easy because I could just read numbers and punch them into a PDA without having to read words. My mum use to look up my starting address and mark it in a stress directory for me to follow each day. I got let go after 4 years because I couldn't write in the new safety reporting system they setup.

I did a number years in general labouring jobs after this, including bricklaying, carpenters assistant, garbo, cleaner and personal driver. All these jobs I lost because of anxiety and poor literacy.

I now have help with my literacy and anxiety. I currently work 2 part time causal jobs, one at warehouse as a picker and packer and another as storage installation trade assistant. Sometimes I don't get enough hours so I have to supplement with welfare to cover costs.

I am looking at starting adult horticultural apprenticeship next year but I am still undecided.

My dream job, if it exists, is to read stories aloud to people.

Banjoman.

[HamSolo01]

Hey there Banjoman

I really like your approach. You acknowledge your limits but don't let them put you down. It means you can set realistic goals

I hope you get the apprenticeship too!

thanks for your insights 🙂

[Nervybella]

Hey banjoman,

Wow! Good on you for finding work, I imagine you would have faced a lot of challenges. But you seem to have a really positive attitude!

In regards to your dream job, have you ever contacted your local library? I know my nearest library to dramatic readings of books, also a few times a week someone reads aloud to little kids. Even volunteering at a hospital or nursing home and reading aloud to people?

Follow your dreams Banjoman- they sounds great 🙂

Bella