what decent paid career/ job would you recommend to someone with social anxiety that doesn't need a degree?

[TigerRoger]

I have social anxiety and have only ever been able to get nmw jobs. I don't want to go to university but would love to do a job thats challenging my brain and earns ok but at the same time is sympathetic to my social anxiety.

Does anything even exist?
Am.i asking for the moon on a stick?

It’s becoming harder and harder tbh.
I work in what should be a family friendly industry and was maybe 15 years ago, not any more. I think aside of a research role or maybe laboratory everythingbtyst pays above minimum wage is quite stressful for anyone and everyone

It's the social side of jobs that I find stressful not so much responsibility etc. I don't know. Sometimes I feel so trapped and feel like I'll never be able to progress from low paid jobs.

Air traffic controller

I believe they need a degree in physics

Think you'll find that's not correct

In fact, you don't even need a degree

They're looking for a certain type of person

Well that’s disconcerting

Why?

I struggle with this too op. I am a hard worker, and quite intelligent, but not extremely so!! But I really struggle with the social side of work, such as contributing in meetings, etc. To progress further in my previous job I would have had to do presentations and stuff and this haltered things as I just can't do It. I wish I was different!!

There are few opportunities for people without degrees other than nmw. Once you have a degree, there are opportunities for someone to work independently in that field. The need for social skills and team work now is an absolute PITA for people who struggle with social interactions. Is there any way you could do an OU degree?

You can get accountancy jobs with just a levels, the pay isnt great to start with but would be more than minimum wage. Not hugely family friendly hours, but once you've trained it's well paying (£40k post qualification salary).

www.icaew.com/membership/regulations-standards-and-guidance/qualifications/aca-entry-routes

PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, EY, BDO and GT will all have training routes for school leavers in big towns. Starting salary usually around £16k-£18k without a degree (£22-£30k with) going up to about £30-£35k pre qualification, and £35-£45k just post.

Bloody hard work and some of our school leavers found it conceptually challenging, and there's a lot of exams (but good firms will pay for exams and tuition).

How about an office manager? There will be an element of social interaction but I think a well paid job with zero social interaction with no degree is going to be difficult :(

You can get paid in the £20k’s once you’re there and you shouldn’t bed too many qualifications I imagine it’s more about showing initiative and independence.

Sorry forgot to say there probably wouldn’t be many meetings etc and you’ll likely be working by yourself

Dirtygirtyisthirty I have no depth perception so I don't think I can do that but thx for the suggestion!

Id say accountancy too but dont look at a future in small general practice as thats a real people person role but the training is really transferable and there are lots of roles you can fit in.

Where would you go from practice? The corporates wouldn’t touch you

Kittykat93 it's crap isn't it. I was one of the top kids in my school year but anxiety/ abuse and low self esteem in childhood meant Ive never been able to develop my self confidence and social skills.

I actually do have a degree I did over 15 years ago. It was for a health professional role but I was so crippled with social anxiety that I couldn't do the job.

5fivestar Do you mean what would you do after you'd trained? I imagine you'd go and be a management accountant somewhere?

Loads of companies will even put their own finance staff through training (procter and gamble, Unilever, compare the market, just off the top of my head, there will be tonnes more). Probably less stressful to train that way too.

Oh you have a degree? That opens up loads more roles, doesn't matter what the degree is in, or when it's from!

How about document control? Work your way up, generally work in a separate part of the office —the basement— as part of a small team. Not much interaction with the rest of the office unless for training, and a specific person would do those.

Recommend you look for an online university, i’m Doing a degree through Essex U, the whole thing is online.

What skills have you got already that came from your degree? Must be able to use it to fit in with something else

Nacreous I think my degree is completely pointless. I have never used it as after uni I never got a job in that field. It's very specific like pharmacy but it's not pharmacy. I really regret doing it. I was jsttikd what to do and did it( whole other thread!).

That's okay, it really really doesn't matter what it's in, it just opens up more opportunitie, because you can look at all the grad schemes. That way it's not relying on past experience (though any you do have will be really useful) and it puts you in a pathway with built in progression. You don't have to be just graduated at all.

What do you do in your current job, and which bits do you enjoy?

There are schemes in logistics, general management (probably not up your street!), finance, and the pay would be better. Worth thinking about anyway!

E.g.

ukcareers.ey.com/students/programmes/graduate-programmes

Https:jobs.kpmgcareers.co.uk/mobile/go/Audit-Graduate-Programmes/766300/

advice.milkround.com/the-times-top-100-graduate-employers

Have a dig through, see what you can see in your area. Have a think about the big employers in your area and have a look at what they do too.

Are you a numbers & excel person. If yes - What about allocation ( stock) as an allocator you just have to do the do, the merchandisers are the ones that do the meetings and direct your work. You could allocate in your field of interest ie clothing, shoes, homeware, food .... Salaries are not brilliant maybe starting at 18-20 k but more in London offices. Usually will train people, and they are usually relatively easy jobs to get as they don't expect you to be an extrovert. Might ask you to do a few things on excel at interview.