Do you struggle with social anxiety?
You are not alone…
Social Anxiety Disorder is one of the most common diagnoses given; understanding this fact is an idea that should help everybody who struggles realize many of us are fighting the same battle.
While talking to a mental health professional, like the specialists at the Mental Health Center of San Diego, to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is the best step you can take to feel right again, we have compiled this list of jobs for people with social anxiety that you might want to consider as options when thinking of a path that might be best for you.
Many of these jobs might provide the opportunity to work remotely, or from home, have minimal interaction with other people, and allow you to set your own schedule and work at your own pace.
Our mindset behind the choices we made for the best jobs for people with social anxiety begins with first trying to understand the disorder itself.
What Is Social Anxiety?
- Social anxiety is not just being shy. It’s a mental health condition also called social phobia.
- Someone with social anxiety may have an ongoing fear of being judged by other people.
- It’s intense fear, and it can impact daily activities, including work and school.
- Someone with a social anxiety disorder will feel symptoms in all social situations. Things that wouldn’t usually cause a sense of fear, such as using a public restroom, can cause anxiety.
- Social anxiety disorder can cause you to avoid situations and places where you might have to be around other people.
- Talk therapy, medication, support groups, and lifestyle changes might all help with the symptoms.
Do you prefer being able to choose your own work environment, and decide when you will and will not work?
Some people might even prefer minimal interaction with other people, or prefer the company of animals.
If these conditions sound good to you, read on to our list of the 7 best jobs for people with social anxiety.
1. Writer, Blogger, or Editor
If you enjoy writing, you might be able to find either full-time employment working for a blog or website, or you could work as a freelancer.
What’s great about this type of job for people with social anxiety is that you have freedom and flexibility in your work environment.
You can work from home in many cases, and you’re independent in your work. You often don’t have to interact much with other people.
The amount of money you might make as a freelance writer, blogger, or editor depends on many different factors. Your experience is important, as are your skills and your reputation.
Many freelance writers earn around $50 an hour and may earn $50k or more annually; according to our sources, the median annual wage for a writer is around $63k
2. Web Developer
Being a web developer is one of the best jobs for people with social anxiety because you can work for yourself in many cases and work from home.
Web developers design and create websites that might be used by businesses or for personal use.
The job growth outlook for web developers through 2029 is estimated at 8%, which is faster than the average job growth rate for all occupations.
The median annual wage for a web developer is approximately $74k.
3. IT Specialist
An IT specialist is one of the best jobs for people with social unease and is a great position because it’s highly in-demand right now.
An IT specialist may be able to work remotely.
The job responsibilities include ensuring that everyone in an organization has the technology they need to do their work.
An IT specialist also plays a role in cybersecurity, which is a top priority for businesses right now.The average salary of an IT specialist is approximately $53k.
4. Digital Marketer
Finally, if you’re looking for the best jobs for social anxiety, another good option is digital marketing.
It’s almost impossible for brands and companies to operate right now without a strong online presence, which is where digital marketers become an asset.
Digital marketers might do a broad set of tasks, including social media campaigns, email marketing, and paid advertising. You could work on search engine optimization strategies, content marketing, and affiliate marketing.
Digital marketing is very broad, so you might be most successful in this field if you have a niche that’s your specialty. You’ll generally need a bachelor’s degree, and you can find digital marketing positions that are full-time with companies, or again, you could work as a freelancer or contractor.
The average salary for a digital marketer is around $57k.
5. Accountant
If you’re good with numbers, are organized, and have an eye for detail, being an accountant could be a good fit. Being an account allows you to work pretty independently.
In almost all instances, you’ll need an accounting or finance degree to become an accountant, but the hard work will pay off in the long run once you’re complete. The expected job growth in this field is also faster than average.
Within the larger field of accounting, there are many different paths you might take. You could be a bookkeeper or a financial auditor, you could complete tax returns for companies or individuals, or you could work toward becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
6. Virtual Assistant
When you’re a virtual assistant, you work remotely, from home, or anywhere you choose.
You might work for an individual, such as an entrepreneur, or you could work for a company.
A virtual assistant might work as an administrative or executive assistant or a personal assistant.
Some of the tasks you could be responsible for in this role include answering emails, coordinating calendars and schedules, making travel arrangements, and perhaps some light marketing work.
You might also be responsible for answering calls, billing, and accounting, and vetting possible clients, projects, and partnerships.
Many virtual assistants will do social media work too.
You can find work directly for a company as a virtual assistant, or you can work on your own, taking on freelance or contract jobs. Another option is to find a company that connects virtual assistants to employers.
The median annual salary for a virtual assistant is between $36k and 65k. How much you make as a virtual assistant can depend on your experience, your clients, your industry, and how much you decide to work.
7. Dog Trainer or Walker
Being a dog trainer or walker is good if you have social anxiety because it doesn’t require interpersonal interaction. People with anxiety also find that it’s beneficial for them to be around animals.
If you want to become a dog trainer, you can start by training your own dog.
That can help you learn some of the basic skills you’ll need to be successful.
You can then consider an online training school or an in-person school. There are credentials that you can earn to help build your career as a dog trainer.
For example, you can join an organization like the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
Another option is to be a dog walker. There are on-demand apps where you can connect with people nearby who need a dog walker and sometimes a dog sitter.
The average dog trainer salary depends on where you live and how many clients you have, but it is around $30k and is relatively similar for a dog walker.
Final Thoughts
The above jobs for people with social anxiety tend to have a lot of flexibility in how and where you do them, which can be appealing. In addition to receiving treatment, you may find that you prefer certain types of jobs over others, and that’s okay!
Social anxiety disorder is more common than you may think; those who struggle with it are not alone.
Talking to the health care providers at the Mental Health Center of San Diego about your symptoms will help you get started with a proper diagnosis and treatment plan to get you on track to managing your anxiety in a healthy and productive way.
