What keeps you going?

2018-10-23T13:05:57-04:00

I have been battling severe depression and anxiety during and after the service and most of the time I get overwhelmed with it. Been struggling with finding a job as I can't do physical labor and the jobs that I seek (office, administration type) I get passed over for as I don't have sufficient experience to prove that I am a good candidate and ones that I can fit my school schedule in. Not trying to have a pity party but sometimes the battle seems very overwhelming. I will greatly appreciate the advice and words of encouragement

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 23 at 2018 1:12 PM

2018-10-23T13:12:40-04:00

The love of Christ and my family and friends.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2018 1:19 PM

2018-10-23T13:19:08-04:00

I have had some major depression and anxiety problems in the past. I went and saw counselors and doctors, but really how I got past it was changing my mindset. I kept being faced with challenge after challenge and I just had to learn to look at every challenge as an opportunity to become stronger. I tried medicine and it didn't really work like I expected. It just kind of made things a little more even and didnt really take all of the depression and anxiety away. One other simple thing that helped me is just remembering that every day has to end. When the day is over, you go to bed and wake up with a fresh opportunity. You get one life man, live it to the fullest and accomplish your goals!

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Oct 23 at 2018 1:20 PM

2018-10-23T13:20:29-04:00

SPC Shaun Boykin: Shaun, you have my love and my prayers, my fervent prayers and my profuse love. Hope that helps you. -Margaret

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2018 1:44 PM

2018-10-23T13:44:28-04:00

I just shot you a note on LinkedIn. If you are still in Central Texas there are a ton of resources available to assist in the transition. Look up Centurion Military Alliance and plan on attending one of there events.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Oct 23 at 2018 2:23 PM

2018-10-23T14:23:50-04:00

What are you going to school for? Have you checked with the school for part time employment opportunities? We are moving into Holiday season and around here, virtually every major retailer is looking for help. Maybe you could find something there?

Response by SrA John Monette made Oct 23 at 2018 3:26 PM

2018-10-23T15:26:43-04:00

I'm sure the majority of us have been there. low-level job that barely pays. not enough time for school, work, and family. not getting the job we know we can do because someone else is better qualified. please realized that you have an immense network right here. any one of us will be willing to talk to you, assist you in any way we can. you have to realize and admit that you might not be able to cope on your own. use our experience to help you

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2018 5:44 PM

2018-10-23T17:44:38-04:00

SPC Shaun Boykin Staying extremely busy should help because you will not have the time to focus on negative things. Change your routine. Consider taking only night classes and working a day job, or vice versa, so that it is easier to find the right job. Also consider volunteering for a cause that you can relate to. Have you talked to anyone about your depression? We all wish you the best!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2018 7:04 PM

2018-10-23T19:04:11-04:00

If you can, give your resume and cover letter to someone directly (other than the "Human Resources" folks). You can often side-step the whole resume-screening process by just getting your resume to a decision-maker right from the get-go. On your cover letter, explain how your experience relates to the responsibilities and duties of the job you are seeking. That's for the short-term.

Long-term, you consider learning how to code (program a computer). Attending meet-ups, you can meet people in the industry in your area. Learning to code is not an overnight thing, but it is something that you can get the basics on by self-study.
Here is the Python tutorial: https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/
Here is the Java tutorial: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/
Here is a JavaScript tutorial: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn/Getting_started_with_the_web/JavaScript_basics

Java is the harder route and not as much fun. I code in Java for my day job but I strongly prefer Python. Java is one of the most used languages in the business world. Python is on the way up, but largely it is popular with machine-learning work.

JavaScript is the language of front-end logic and there is some back-end JavaScript as well (NodeJS). I don't focus much on front-end work, but even I end up having to do JavaScript a few times a week.

Anyway, as a long term project, employment prospects are good for software developers and will probably stay that way for a long, long time.

The Python Tutorial — Python 3.7.1rc2 documentation

Python is an easy to learn, powerful programming language. It has efficienthigh-level data structures and a simple but effective approach toobject-oriented programming. Python’s elegant syntax and dynamic typing,together with its interpreted nature, make it an ideal language for scriptingand rapid application development in many areas on most platforms.

Response by SPC Shaun Boykin made Oct 23 at 2018 9:51 PM

2018-10-23T21:51:25-04:00

Thank you very much everyone for your advice and words of encouragement. Everyday is struggle but in the end I have to keep fighting the good fight!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Oct 24 at 2018 12:27 AM

2018-10-24T00:27:14-04:00

SPC Shaun Boykin People notice me talking to myself.

Depending on your situation seek professional help. Many local agencies are available - reach out to them!

I ofttimes reassure myself that: “it will all work out”, “no sweat GI”, “you did a great job”, “it doesn’t really affect me, so what!”, “they wouldn’t do what I would advise-shaddup’!

Mantras are tools , we sometimes need one to reconcile situations beyond or control.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2018 9:52 AM

2018-10-24T09:52:23-04:00

SPC Shaun Boykin 1st off, do not be ashamed to seek out help for depression. At one point or anither we all have or will. Please never feel less because you are suffering. Also, I hope you have someone who is there for you when times are getting though. I am not in the civilian sector yet, but I will soon. I have heard from many different people that there are job resources for prior service, you just need to find them in the net. Have you tried LinkedIn? Usajobs.gov? Good luck in your future endeavors. Stay strong!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2018 2:48 AM

2018-10-25T02:48:08-04:00

My brother was out of work for 3 years before his current job. He too was depressed and feeling a little empty. I am a strong believer that man was not meant to be idle. Find somewhere to work, whether it be volunteer or for pay. When he finally got a job he came to let me know of his mental state improvement. Good luck bro!