<p>So, I've had countless job interviews that didn't work out because of my anxiety. I want to get a degree so I can have a better chance of getting a job in the future, one where I have limited exposure to people. Any ideas on what to major in, what career to go for, schools, etc.?</p>
<p>I know some folks with similar challenge. Can you tell us a bit more about your interests, what you see as your strengths? </p>
<p>It is a bit of stereotype, but fields like tax, accounting, being an actuary tend to involve less interaction with people and more focus on numbers. </p>
<p>Help us out with more details, and hang in there. There is a place for you, you just need some help sorting it out.</p>
<p>What do you want to do? Do you have any careers in mind? And don’t worry too much about schools! In the end, you go to educate yourself, not to socialize.</p>
<p>Anything quant related can be a fairly lonely profession. But sooner or later you’ll likely have to give a report on your numbers, conclusions recommendations. The main thing to do is to get your anxiety under control. If its hurting your life then it’s time to talk to a MD and a therapist.</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses and encouragement.</p>
<p>I’m interested in more artsy, creative things. I’m not the smartest, so nothing with too much math and science, etc.</p>
<p>I was thinking about graphic design or maybe web design? I took a web design class in high school and found it kind of interesting, although a little too complicated for me…</p>
<p>I like to write, but I think I want to pursue something with more likelihood of getting a job and do that as a hobby instead.</p>
<p>Do you like animals? What about working in that field, as a vet tech, or groomer, etc.? Animals are good for lessening anxiety too. You won’t get rich, but you’ll be doing something worthwhile.
What kind of arts are you into? There are a few colleges who even offer glass blowing as a major…
You like to write, do you like to read? Do you like doing research? Yes, you would have to work with people, but in a quiet atmosphere if you looked into Library Science - you could even focus on working in a children’s library - do kids make you as anxious?
I think the most important thing is to figure out is this the normal nervousness everyone experiences and you just don’t like it, or is this an anxiety disorder that you need help with. Rehearsing with someone before interviews, identifying triggers and learning some ways to work through them, etc, could do you a lot of good rather than limiting yourself because of them.</p>
<p>So in summary: Artsy, don’t like social interaction too much, not a real fan of math or science, like writing as a hobby.</p>
<p>That is a pretty challenging profile to work with. Maybe your aptitude for writing would cross over into some sort of programming career after all C++ is a language, and maybe you would enjoy learning to write code, so maybe some sort of computer programming related degree?</p>
<p>Another possible major would be multimedia, which would allow you to be artistic and would also possibly make use of your web design skills.</p>
<p>Actually you sound a bit like my daughter in many ways, don’t lose heart, there are lots of schools out there for you! </p>
<p>Start with looking at colleges and don’t worry about a major or career yet, look at schools that have areas you are interested in and after four years you will have at least one major, even if you’ve created it yourself. My suggestion would be to look for smaller schools where you won’t get lost, possibly ones in more rural areas as I’ve found that often the profs want to be there and interact with their students much more (evenings, dinners, weekends, etc.). Also look for schools that have flexible core or required classes to help with your math and science concerns. </p>
<p>Try looking at the book “Colleges That Save Lives” by Loren Pope, it’s a bit outdated and has some serious religious schools listed, but it also has some fabulous small LAC that you may never have heard of before. It’s a great starting point for quirky kids like you!
You can be and do anything you want to in college, no one knows you there, no one knows who you were, so try to choose one or two small things you’d like to change once you get to college and work on that. My daughter was hysterical the night before and day of dropping her off at college but she knew she was “stuck” there, we weren’t taking her home. By the end of her freshman year she had a terrific group of friends and professors, is a tour guide, and is an officer in a club. I have to look at her and keep asking, “Who are you and what did you do with my high school girl?”</p>
<p>Good luck and think positive!</p>
<p>Try BCIS with an art type minor/second major. Being in a technical field will mean that you do not have to “schmooze” people. But, you can still get your art outlet.</p>
<p>I feel like I could have made your post!! My parents role play with me for interviews and such. I had to call someplace last week and it was horrible. I needed to set up a tour for TAMU (I left the NSI day early). Sometimes, I think my parents are mean. But, I realize later, that they were maybe right. I was crying and telling my parents that I cannot make the call. They insisted I had to role play to practice the call and when I said no, they sat and did it in front of me. My parents are kind of in-your-face on me sometimes. Eventually, I dealt with it (they were never going to leave me alone) and did the practice calls. They even made me take the home phone while one of them took the cell phone and I had to make a pretend call. In the end, I made the call, and it went great. I actually have a little less anxiety now.</p>
<p>Maybe your parents can help you with this? Or you can borrow my parents. In fact, please borrow my parents! (j/k, they aren’t so bad so I can keep them)</p>