Kick starting my career.

I just finished high school few months ago and I already have to find a career. It's intense. I know that I like Psychology and everything that is related to Humanistic Psychology, but I don't know what I want to focus in. However, I want to find a job where I can work easily and have fun until I reach the age of retirement. I went online and I saw two ads. The first one is an unpaid internship at the local lab with one vacant position and the second one is a paid internship at the city's hospital where I can earn minimum wage.

Choice 1 : Have an unpaid internship at the local lab?

Choice 2 : Have a paid internship at the city's hospital?

Have a paid internship at the city's hospital?

It will be a great opportunity to work as an intern in the field I'm studying in. Also, getting paid for something that you like is even better. Although I'm stressed for the interview.

Choice 1 : Not do the interview because of stress.

Choice 2 : Be resilient and do the interview.

Choice 3 : Not do the interview and find a part-time job for the semester.

Have an unpaid internship at the local lab?

Write this part of the story here and present your reader with choices.

Choice 1 : Work with a colleague.

Choice 2 : Work alone.

Choice 3 : Work with a team.

Not do the interview because of stress.

I was feeling anxious about my interview and I didn't want to say wrong answers to the interviewers. I told myself you only have two options now. You either find another job opportunity that makes the interview less stressful or you call Human Resources to tell them that you can't pass the interview.

Choice 1 : Find another job opportunity.

Choice 2 : Call Human Resources.

Be resilient and do the interview.

I remember I read some books about Psychology and I read there are two ways to cope with stress. The first way is to take deep breaths until you feel like you can have a normal conversation with someone. The second way is to talk about it to someone. This way you share your stress or pain.

Choice 1 : Take deep breaths.

Choice 2 : Talk to someone about my pain.

Not do the interview and find a part-time job for the semester.

I told myself that there are always job opportunities, but I don't want to have more stress for this semester with my Evolutionary Psychology class and my mental illness class. So, I'll apply at a small shop in the mall and if I get accepted I'll work fifteen hours a week. If I don't get hired, I'll just work at my mom's bakery shop.

Choice 1 : Apply at a small shop at the mall.

Choice 2 : Work at my mom's bakery shop.

Find another job opportunity.

I was feeling anxious. I felt that if I did the interview, I would stutter the entire time. I told myself, I'm that anxious about this interview, I could be anxious on the job too. I didn't know if I should find another job in the same field of study or keep my summer job for the next months.

Choice 1 : Find another job opportunity in my field of study.

Choice 2 : Keep my summer job for the next months.

Call Human Resources.

I ended up calling Human Resources. The man who took the phone had no empathy for me. Apparently, people who cancel interviews out of stress are just people who aren't good enough for the job. He was rude and made me feel really bad. It was maddening that he didn't find five seconds to listen to me and my explanation. I didn't know if I was supposed to interrupt him and tell him my point of view or if I should call the customer service department and lodge a complaint.

Choice 1 : Tell him my point of view.

Choice 2 : Lodge a complaint.

Work with a colleague.

As soon as I entered the building, the receptionist told me to go see mister Robert. Mr.Robert told me that I had two options for my colleague. I can either work with someone who already has experience or with someone who starts an internship just like me.

Choice 1 : Work with someone experienced.

Choice 2 : Work with a new employee like me.

Take deep breaths.

One of the techniques that works the best is the deep breaths. I inhaled, counted to three and exhaled. I did this technique and I felt better. Although I was late for my interview. Should I call the company and tell them that I'll be few minutes late or should just go there and give an outstanding interview.

Choice 1 : Call the company.

Choice 2 : Give an outstanding interview.

Talk to someone about my pain.

The best way to relieve some stress is to share your worries with someone you're comfortable with. I usually have trust issues with people but I knew that I could always talk to my boyfriend and my sister. They are the only ones who understand me and my crazy personality.

Choice 1 : Talk to my sister.

Choice 2 : Talk to my boyfriend.

Work with someone experienced.

I was glad that I found someone who could tell me about everything at the lab. If, we like each other we could be friends and even hang out sometimes outside the hospital. Her name is Julie. As soon as I met her, she seemed distant. She didn't welcome me or said anything nice. I don't know if I should ask her what's wrong or if I should let it be.

Choice 1 : Ask her what's wrong.

Choice 2 : Forget about it.

Work with a new employee like me.

I was glad that I found someone who could gain experience at the same time as me. We could be friends and even hang out sometimes outside the hospital. Mr.Robert told me that her name is Maria and she's also from the same college. I met her and she was very nice. However, after few days she was behaving in a very weird way. One time during my lunchtime I heard Marc say that Maria was talking behind my back to everyone. I was surprised because she was very nice to me during our lab sessions. I felt like confronting her. However, she was surrounded by all her Hispanic friends.Should I keep my mouth shut?

Choice 1 : Confront Maria.

Choice 2 : Not mention anything to Maria.

Find another job opportunity in my field of study.

It's maddening that I found a job opportunity to jump-start my career but I blew it. I think that the best way to get a job is to find a position at my college. In that case, I will know the place and the people I will be working with.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Keep my summer job for the next months.

Finally, I chose to keep my summer job at the day-care where my baby sister goes to since I already made friends over there. I won't be stressed to meet new people and I already know all the kids over there.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Tell him my point of view.

I was really surprised with his behaviour, so I interrupted him and told him my piece of my mind. I said, ''Look mister, if you don't know how to be nice with someone and understand their point of view, then maybe you shouldn't be working at Human Resources.'' I felt relieved after telling him that and suddenly, my self-esteem rose up. I was proud of myself.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Lodge a complaint.

I kept hearing him, and I was getting upset. I interrupted him and said, ''Thank you sir, have a good day.'' A few minutes later, I called customer service to lodge a complaint. After talking to an agent, she told me that it wasn't the first time he behaved this kind of way. She told me that he's a very narcissistic person and has no sense of communication. Later on, I got a call telling me that he got fired.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Call the company.

I called the company to tell them I'll be late and they were very understanding. Apparently, they give an early time because they know that with stress, the interviewee might be late. I was relieved. I told them that I appreciate their patience and that I'll be there soon.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Give an outstanding interview.

During my interview, I impressed the interviewers with my answers. I told them that I have the drive of work, that I’m punctual and that I’m a team player. Apparently, that made them like me and hire me on spot. That definitely rose up my self-esteem.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Talk to my sister.

My sister is like my other half. She knows exactly how I feel this way and why I feel this way. She knows how to rise my self-esteem and to cheer me up. She convinced me that I'm smart and I could give a brilliant interview. Next thing I know, I'm in the car going to give an interview.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Talk to my boyfriend.

My boyfriend is my soul mate. He knows how to cheer me up and make me feel good about myself. Then, he tells me a joke on purpose because he knows that I can never stay mad or sad about something. He is the best. With him in my life, I feel like I can accomplish anything. Therefor, I started my car and drove for my interview.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Apply at a small shop at the mall.

For this semester, I should do a part-time job. I had two stores in my mind. The first one is this candy store at the mall, even though it's a dead-end job. The second one is a clothing store where I can get a promotion after few months of working there. I know that I love candies, but I also need that discount from the clothing store to renew my closet.

Choice 1 : Apply at the candy store.

Choice 2 : Apply at the clothing store.

Apply at the candy store.

When I went to give my CV, the manager was very nice and understanding. She asked for my availability and my hobbies. She said that I should a couple of days to get the answer but she was sure that I'll get the job.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Apply at the clothing store.

I asked for the manager and she came right up. I told her about my experience and my drive of work. She was very impressed. She said that she's looking for someone who has a lot of free time because sometimes that person will have to work overtime to do the inventory. It wasn't an issue for me. I have good hope for this job.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Work at my mom's bakery shop.

Write this part of the story here and present your reader with choices. I was already helping my mom with the shop on weekends. It's very fun. Now with eight classes, I don't know if I should keep on working on weekends and have my weekdays free to study or to work on weekdays too but only for ten or fifteen hours a week.

Choice 1 : Work on weekdays.

Choice 2 : Work on weekends.

Work on weekdays.

I am now working on weekdays and I find this a bit difficult. My mom is more harsh on me than other employees. Obviously, she behaves that way because she doesn't want to be biased with her decisions. However, It would be great if could cut me some slack even though I'm her daughter.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Work on weekends.

I'm working on weekends and I know how to manage my time. I get to spend time with my mom and I see new people every day. Working for several months in a shop will be great for my CV.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Work with someone with experience.

I found out that her name is Isabel and she's been working at this hospital for three years and she'd be joining us in few minutes. I was very excited to meet her because we could be friends and hang out together outside the lab. She came in late but it's wasn't a big deal because we all come in late once in while. However, few weeks passed and she kept on being late. It was kind of annoying. I didn't know if I should tell her about her lateness or keep my mouth shut because I was in an internship.

Choice 1 : Confront Maria.

Choice 2 : Keep my mouth shut about my feelings.

Work with someone new the lab.

I met my new lab partner Maria but she was incredibly rude. I don't know why. Should I ask her what's wrong or just let it be?

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Confront her.

I was brave enough to tell her about my feelings. I told her that her being late can cause us trouble and I don't want to get any trouble because I'm in an internship. Fortunately, she understood my point of view and said that she'll try to be on time next time.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Keep my mouth shut about my feelings.

I told myself that if she keeps on being late, our supervisor would realize it. Fortunately, Mr.Robert saw Isabel's bad behaviour and told her that if she's late one more time, she'll be fired. By keeping my mouth shut I still got what I needed.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Confront Maria.

I was hurt that she was talking behind my back. I thought we were great friends and amazing lab partners. I was disappointed. I told myself, ''I need the truth''. I stand up, walk over there and ask her why is he talking behind my back. She answered that I was always talking to other people instead of being with her during our lab and it was frustrating for her. I understood where this behaviour came from and I apologized. Thankfully, she forgave me.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Not mention anything to Maria.

I told myself that I didn't do anything wrong and that she's just a very bad person. In my introduction to psychology class, I learned that the best way to have a healthy mental health is to not give importance to unimportant things in life. For me, my internship was important and it should be the only thing I should focus in.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Work alone.

As soon as I entered the building, the receptionist told me to go see mister Robert. He told me that since I'm the only one who applied for this sector of the hospital, I'll be working alone. However, by working alone I had two options. I could either work from nine to five from Monday to Friday or work from two to eight from Monday to Friday.

Choice 1 : Work from nine a.m. to five p.m.

Choice 2 : Work from two p.m. to eight p.m.

Work from nine a.m. to five p.m.

I chose to work from nine to five so I could have the evenings off for myself and my hobbies. However, my sister needs me to keep her daughter for her yoga class that's from eight at night till nine at night from Monday to Friday. I don't know if I should help her or keep my evenings free.

Choice 1 : Help my sister.

Choice 2 : Keep my evenings free.

Help my sister.

I chose to help my sister but after few days I was extremely tired at work. I was late for work, and I was yawning all day. My supervisor saw me and gave a warning that if I can't have the energy to work at this hospital, I can quit and work at another one. I took his warning very seriously and told my sister that I couldn't keep her daughter every night.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Keep my evenings free.

By keeping my evenings free, I was able to find a new passion: painting. With my painting skills, I was able to decorate the hospital with my paintings and make the walls look less boring.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Work from two p.m. to eight p.m.

I chose to work from two p.m. to eight p.m. so I won't have eight hour shifts and still have the morning for myself. However, my mom needs some help with her bakery shop during the morning to count the cash register and bake cupcakes and cakes. If I help her she'll be less stressed but if I don't help her, I'll have free morning to enjoy my cup of coffee and my news.

Choice 1 : Help my mom.

Choice 2 : Enjoy my cup of coffee and my news.

Help my mom.

I chose to spend some time with my mom and help her with her bakery shop. Every day, I wake up at six a.m. and help her. Unfortunately, by the end of my work shift, I'm very tired and I can't focus. My supervisor told me to have more energy since I have non-stop interaction with my patients. I don't think having two jobs is a good idea. Soon, I'll tell my mom that I can't help her out with her shop.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Enjoy my cup of coffee and my news.

Now that I work an afternoon shift, I have more time for myself. I cook for my dinner so I don't spend money on fast-foot. I also clean my apartment so I won't have to do it on weekends. I'm very satisfied with my lifestyle.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Work with a team.

As soon as I entered the building, the receptionist told me to go see mister Robert. He told me that I could work with a group of people with the same age as me or a few years older or I can work with him and his team.

Choice 1 : Work with a group of people with the same age as me.

Choice 2 : Work with my supervisor and his team.

Work with a group of people with the same age as me.

We were six people in the clinic and everybody who was working with me was very nice and caring. However, there was this one person who was rude, careless and disrespectful towards me. His name is James. He's my ex boyfriend. I remembered that I broke up with him two years ago because he kissed my best friend. He wasn't happy with my decision and now he's literally insulting me whenever he has the chance to do it. I'll either as him to stop this behaviour or just change teams.

Choice 1 : Tell my ex boyfriend to stop misbehaving with me.

Choice 2 : Ask my supervisor to change my team.

Work with my supervisor and his team.

I chose to work with my supervisor and his team because they had a lot of experience in this field. So, If I work with professionals, I'll also get the best on-the-job training. Nonetheless, I was wrong. After few days, my supervisor was getting very close to me to explain a syndrome. He would put his hand on my back and would caress it. I mind his gesture but I didn't say anything. But one day, he hugged me instead of saying good morning and violently touched my butt. Should I report him to Human Resources or should I talk to him about my behavior?

Choice 1 : Talk to him about his behaviour.

Choice 2 : Go to Human Resources.

Tell my ex boyfriend to stop misbehaving with me.

I took the courage to confront him about his behaviour. I asked him why would he insulted me if he consciously kissed my best friend. After arguing he ended up telling me that he still has feelings for me and that could be harmful for him if he keeps seeing me. I told him that if he wants he can switch teams with someone and that problem would be over. The next day I go to work and my colleague told me that he left the hospital because he has a mental illness.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Ask my supervisor to change my team.

James negativity was filling up the room. I couldn't take it anymore. I went to my supervisor and I asked if I could change my team and he nicely offered me to join the second team on the floor.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Talk to him about his behaviour.

I felt very bad whenever I was around him, so I told him that his behavior was very bad with me. I told him that he can't touch me in this way and that if he does it again I'll report him to Human Resources. A few days passed and he stopped misbehaving with me.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Go to Human Resources.

I was afraid to go to Human Resources but I told myself it was for a better work environment. I told Human Resources about my supervisor's misplaced behavior. The man who wrote the report called in my supervisor and fired him in front of me. I never felt so good!

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Ask her what's wrong.

I asked her If everything was okay and she answered that she just broke up with her boyfriend and she's very sad. Good thing I wasn't the problem.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.

Forget about it.

I told myself, I didn't do anything wrong. If, she has a problem with me, she can talk to me about it. Turns out, she was having a bad day because she has a headache. Fortunately, I wasn't the issue.

Choice 1 : Kick starting my career.