[Ganymede00]

I'm 22 and I've never had a formal job. I've had social anxiety issues since I was 12 so I kinda avoided social interaction all throughout my adolescence. Now, I really need a job since I'm in desperate need of money. But since I don't have much experience and I'm kinda scared of people, that option seems kinda impossible.*Instead, I've been thinking about volunteering somewhere first.*

I've narrowed it down to two options:*
1) volunteer first to gain exposure to people and gain more references.
2) try to get a job and hope for the best

I don't know. I really need money but the thought of getting job as a cashier makes me wanna throw up. I also don't think my resume is even good enough to get a fast food job. On the other hand, while volunteering will be less stressful while providing exposure, I don't want to waste time and not earn money. Help!

Pertinent information:*
-I have a high school diploma and two years of university. I dropped out two years ago.*
-So far, I have two references from various babysitting and pet sitting jobs
-I'm taking a few art classes to increase my exposure to people
-I want to see a psychologist but I have to wait a month to see my doctor for a referral. After that, I
probably have to wait another month for an appointment.*

[Cleaning up]

If you have a documented "disability" vocational rehabilitation may be able to help you with a trial job. You might want to wait until you can see a professional, it would be better than putting a lot of stress on yourself to hurry and find something and/or decide a course of action on your own. Going through the job search is stressful enough for people without pre existing issues. Don't obsess about how bad a particular job might be either, nothing good comes of things like that.

[Leed]

I wouldn't go for a fast-food job, as that atmosphere is too fast paced for you, and MUCH too stressful. I doubt you'd be able to keep up that fast paced job. If you're the LEAST bit slow, they'll fire you. You have to be extremely FAST in a job like that, and if you're the nervous type, I doubt you'd make it.

Try to look for a job that isn't reliant on being fast. Why not look for a job in a Library, or as a assistant in a veterinary clinic. You need something that is slow- paced yet interesting.

I wish you the best. Take care and best of luck. Hugs, Lee