I am 22 years old and have severely suffered from social anxiety for all of my life. Because of this I have never been in work (not even work experience).

I'm now so disappointed and upset. In October I enquired about volunteering at a local animal rescue centre but they said they were full and that they'll keep my details on file and that I should enquire again in January.

I emailed again on Monday and after building my hopes up all week I received the following response:

'To be honest I do not think I can take on any more work experience at the moment because I have started lots of young people after Christmas that are doing animal care courses at college. Alongside these people I already have work experience from schools coming at regular intervals as well as longstanding general volunteers. We have to be able to provide adequate supervision and there has also got to be enough work for everyone to do.

I will keep your details on file and if any placements finish I will certainly consider you.'

I have never had a job nor work experience and I keep getting rejected for jobs because of a lack of experience. I was looking forward to getting some work experience here because I love animals and it would have given me an opportunity to meet new people who have similar interests to me. Now, I've just been told that they will consider me, if a placement finishes.

I feel gutted

[unaluna]

FWIW, a year ago I volunteered at a cat-only shelter and got bit my first day. I had never been bitten by any animal before in my life, never got stitches before in my life. I didn't even tell the shelter director what happened, and she was so busy talking to herself, I didn't have the people skills to interrupt her and tell her what happened and that I needed help. I just put on my coat and asked people who happened to be standing at the bus stop where an emergency walk-in clinic was in that neighborhood. I had no idea I had put myself in such a precarious position. I had my own cats before, had pet-sat cats and dogs before. I spent quite a miserable week as the wound only started to heal, and felt stupid to boot.

My next foray into volunteer work will be to a hospital. Many young people volunteer there, my T's son did and enjoyed it very much. I went for an initiation meeting but did not follow up, and there are indeed many young people. And the patients don't bite!

I've decided that I really want to work with animals though. Not only can I not find work but I can't even get work experience either...

[Mindinpieces]

Originally Posted by emre43

I've decided that I really want to work with animals though. Not only can I not find work but I can't even get work experience either...

Hi, if you really want to work with animals how about considering a college course in animal care there are many types aimed at different aspects to do with looking after animals in different areas. This of course depends sometimes on what a college offers and most colleges will accept returning to education applicants and some even aimed at older applicants. I know someone who just gone back to college to do A levels and they were 20 years old when started in September. This may help with your anxiety because of you look at it in the way of your there to learn and make mistakes because that’s how you learn then you would build up steps to getting your goal of wanting to working with animals. This is just another idea for you although sure you have probably thought of it before but may be if volunteering is not working out for you this may be better route to take.

^To be honest I hadn't considered it until being rejected for work experience. I need to overcome my anxiety about sitting in a group of people that I don't know and having to speak and be part of a group. To be honest I think that I will do this. Although, it sounds stupied but at the moment I am feeling really down and have developed a headache about being shunned; I was looking forward to it so much. I need to get over that first because thinking about a course on top of that is making me feel worse.

I wish I wasn't an anxious person

[Mindinpieces]

Originally Posted by emre43

^To be honest I hadn't considered it until being rejected for work experience. I need to overcome my anxiety about sitting in a group of people that I don't know and having to speak and be part of a group. To be honest I think that I will do this. Although, it sounds stupied but at the moment I am feeling really down and have developed a headache about being shunned; I was looking forward to it so much. I need to get over that first because thinking about a course on top of that is making me feel worse.

I wish I wasn't an anxious person

Sorry to hear you have headache and feeling anxious, I know what that feels like, hope this past soon for you. With a college course in animals, now I am no expert but it may not be too focused on group talks although you can probably expect some. However most course will explain once you look into them how the course is set out. Most colleges as well offer advice for people wanting to go college in future, check on web site of the college probably some were in contact link, it probably say for advice email or call. Emailing may be better as not to rush into anything but there’s no harm in emailing to enquire or call to book appointment if you feel ready. Also if you wanted to mention about your anxiety this would help as most colleges offer support and this will help them help you in thinking about of what type of course would suit you. Hope this helps you. What I would do is look at different colleges and all info and then see which ones you like to find more about and do the above once decided. Also you don't have to take this any further even if you enquire because you are only weighing up your options. Best Wishes

[Suki22]

have you thought about pet-sitting/house sitting? that would be a good way to get some experience with minimal people interaction and get paid. I believe you'd have to get some insurance but if you start out trying with a friend or relative, then you'd have some references for when you venture out. just a thought.

[wisdom1]

Originally Posted by emre43

I am 22 years old and have severely suffered from social anxiety for all of my life. Because of this I have never been in work (not even work experience).

I'm now so disappointed and upset. In October I enquired about volunteering at a local animal rescue centre but they said they were full and that they'll keep my details on file and that I should enquire again in January.

I emailed again on Monday and after building my hopes up all week I received the following response:

'To be honest I do not think I can take on any more work experience at the moment because I have started lots of young people after Christmas that are doing animal care courses at college. Alongside these people I already have work experience from schools coming at regular intervals as well as longstanding general volunteers. We have to be able to provide adequate supervision and there has also got to be enough work for everyone to do.

I will keep your details on file and if any placements finish I will certainly consider you.'

I have never had a job nor work experience and I keep getting rejected for jobs because of a lack of experience. I was looking forward to getting some work experience here because I love animals and it would have given me an opportunity to meet new people who have similar interests to me. Now, I've just been told that they will consider me, if a placement finishes.

I feel gutted

HI,

I am sorry that happened. I wonder if you might consider looking at a job training or retraining program. I am not sure what you have in England but here in the states (certain states anyway) we have programs such as Vocational Rehabilitation and there purpose is to help those who have difficulties with working or re-entering the job market find placements that fit. That can be a volunteer program or a job from a few hours a week to full time. It may be worth looking into. I really know nothing about what is available to you there-but do know that these kinds of experiences can leave us feeling raw. But, I hope you wont give up. Keep trying to find the right fit. Remember one disappointment doesnt mean everything is lost. Maybe it means there is something better.

Thank you everyone, after a good nights sleep I am feeling better. I am going to start sending emails around later today

[Mindinpieces]

Hi again I am glad you are feeling better after good night’s sleep. One thing I forgot to mention which is really important is as you over 18 you would have to pay for a course, I also live in uk so sure you know this already. They should explain this to you. However some college if you do not have any certain qualification grade already may help with cost of course again best to fully read all info about college it should clear state cost and who expected to pay and if you are able to get help with what circumstances. Also if you want to enquire best ask about pay and be open if it a worried about cost, as most college are there to help and point you in right direction. Best wishes

The first college I looked up pays some of the cost for me as I'm between the age of 19 and 24. I have enquired about how much it would cost me but I haven't received a response yet.

[Mindinpieces]

Originally Posted by emre43

The first college I looked up pays some of the cost for me as I'm between the age of 19 and 24. I have enquired about how much it would cost me but I haven't received a response yet.

That’s good you can get some help, I hope things all work out for you. Just remember though at the end of the day it your decision and only you know if it's the right way about things for you or not. As you live in uk guessing the next courses will start summer time so if things out of your control set you back there still time and there might be other forms of training like apprenticeships or doesn't meant to say give up on volunteering as there I am sure there’s other places that may need help. There always another way around what looks like one route.

After being informed that there wasn't a place for me at the animal rescue centre yesterday I sent this following message to them yesterday:

'I'm disappointed but I understand at the same time. At my age I am supposed to be making my way in life and having no work experience whatsoever makes things incredibly difficult for me. I keep getting rejected for jobs due to a lack of experience. There are so many jobs out there that demand experience but so few that are willing to provide any.'

And received this response this morning:

'I will try my best Tom to help ASAP. I amsorry to disappoint but the demand at the moment is huge. The situation changesregularly so I am sure that you can come at some stage very soon.'

[ECHOES]

I've just been told that they will consider me, if a placement finishes.

It is nice that they are keeping you informed. You aren't rejected at all, they just don't have a need at the moment.

Could there be another type of volunteering that you could do?
I'm glad to read further that you are going to look into other things!! Great!

^Thanks, although the key words in that sentence are 'consider' and 'if'.

[piscesonthehighseas]

Hi emre43. I am new to this site. Your post caught my eye as I am going through very similar circumstances. I am roughly same age and have never worked due to many issues. I really feel for you. I think that not being able to work because of illness is like an illness in itself, it can really bring you down further. May I ask, do you use the Do-it.org website service at all? I have found it to be quite helpful in uncovering new volunteer opportunities. I have to say that the reply you got was pretty rude considering you were only offering to help and for free!
It might be an idea for you to draft a general email with which to send out to every future volunteer job you apply for. For example, introducing yourself and simply saying that you are looking to lend your time to help others, benefit community ect and mention that you are a caring person with an interest in animals, nature, art -(whatever you like) and then just give your contact details and say that you hope to hear from them in the future. This is what I did. It really saves time having one fairly short, general email and for me it takes away the over emotion that I get when I get into the "I MUST get a job NOW, i'm a failure! frenzy" which sees me emailing anyone about any job at 3am! This way, you are just a kind stranger with time on your hands who wants to help. Who wouldn't want that. Please persevere with the volunteer work, when you get there it will be worth it I'm sure.
I actually started volunteer work today, it was quite a bit overwhelming at first but I got through the day to my surprise! What I have learned from today which is worth mentioning, is to take the distance to travel to/from the volunteer work into account before you apply. My work is over an hour on the bus which means a very early start for me and I get travel sick, also it costs more. All I'm saying is that when you get accepted for the right job and you begin the work it will be a great feeling, probably with nerves attached and try to do whatever you can to ease yourself in Best of luck with the volunteer work and please feel free to chat anytime. And by the way I really admire you for trying!