Jobs for People with Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is a challenge for individuals, particularly in today's highly interconnected world.

Especially when it comes to careers, jobs, and the workplace.

However, contrary to the common belief, there are numerous career paths that work well for individuals grappling with social anxiety.

This blog explores the best jobs for people with social anxiety by looking at what social anxiety entails, its root causes, and its implications on career choices can help.

What is Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is defined as a condition where individuals have intense fear and anxiety of being judged, criticized, or embarrassed in social situations.

They experience overwhelming distress in everyday interactions, with symptoms including sweating, trembling, rapid heartbeat, and feelings of self-consciousness and embarrassment. This type of condition can significantly impact their personal and professional lives.

However, social anxiety varies from person to person.

Some people may only be triggered in large groups, intense situations (like boardroom meetings), or when they’re forced to be the centre of attention.

Others are triggered when they’re outside their comfort zone, leading them to have a “fight-or-flight” response.

Now, let’s look at what are the root causes of social anxiety.

What Causes Social Anxiety?

There are various factors that can contribute to this mental health condition, including upbringing, genetic predispositions, experiences and traumas, and behaviors.

Let’s take a look at the most common factors that can cause social anxiety:

• Emotional, physical, or other kinds of abuse
• Enmeshment trauma where a person is restricted in social interactions
• Unpleasant or embarrassing social situations or traumatic experiences
• Inherited traits from family genetics
• Overcontrolling parenting styles
• Brain structure, including imbalances in the hormones
• Insecure attachment styles
• Having an appearance or condition that draws attention

Although the sources of social anxiety are different for everyone (or a combination of the above), they are not presented in the same way. It all depends on the situation and anxiety levels. 

Signs of Social Anxiety

A person who has social anxiety may experience a wave of different triggers, impacting their body and mind, including:

• Intense fear about a situation, before, during, or after it
• Avoidance of social situations
• Blending into the background to go unnoticed
• Fearful of doing or saying something embarrassing
• Self-conscious about appearance and personality
• Needs substances (like drugs or alcohol) to manage social situations
• Bodily functions, such as blushing, nausea, sweating, rigid body, rapid heart rate and difficulty speaking
• Concerns about being noticed or “targeted” for some reason

Other less-known triggers can include:

• Low self-esteem and negative self-talk
• Hypersensitivity to criticism
• Poor social skill
• Isolation and difficult social relationships
• Trouble being assertive or confident
• Low academic and employment achievement

Now, someone can experience several of these social anxiety triggers, while others only experience a few.

Regardless, those with social fears can really struggle with careers and the workplace.

How Does Social Anxiety Impact Careers?

The best jobs for people with social anxiety do not involve traditional work environments that emphasize frequent social interactions, networking, and public speaking.

These types of workplace environments make individuals feel triggered, making them avoid intense workplace interactions. This has a trickle-down effect which impacts career advancement, financial opportunities, and personal growth.

Even in situations where there are supportive workplace environments, people can still experience overwhelming anxiety and fear, expectations of social pressures, and perceived "threatful" interactions with employees and employers. In response, they can put up boundaries to protect themselves.

The result of these situations often steers individuals with social anxiety towards seeking careers that offer more solitary work environments or minimal social interaction.

The "dream job" can be anything, as long as the work arrangements, stress levels, and independent work environment that manage the social anxieties are present. Also helping to understand how to set up boundaries in the workplace can be effective.

Watch this video to learn why you might struggle with social anxiety:

The 20 Best Jobs for People with Social Anxiety

What are good jobs for people with social anxiety?

To help you with your job search process (and cut through the job market), let’s look at the 20 top jobs broken down in various industries.

Each of these jobs can offer flexible hours, peaceful environments, meaningful work, and provide a rewarding career. 

In Tech:

• Software Developer/Programmer: An in-demand job in a high-growth industry with minimal face-to-face interaction.
• Web Designer: Another tech-savvy role focusing on coding and development tasks while having the freedom to do it yourself.
• Graphic Designer: Creativity-focused role often done independently or in small teams with lots of creative freedom and focus.
• Data Analysis: This job involves analyzing data sets and generating reports, often in solitary. 

In Finance:

• Accountant/Bookkeeper: Enjoy finding loopholes in taxes and saving money in a role that involves working with numbers rather than people.
• Financial Auditor: This job involves reviewing financial records and ensuring compliance, and can be done in solitude.

In Health:

• Medical Biller: This job involves collecting and utilizing data that can likely be done at home with little to no direct interpersonal interaction.
• Research Scientist: All you have to do in this role is conduct research in laboratories or academic settings.
• Medical Transcriptionist: A simple role where you convert voice recordings into written reports, often remotely.

Hands-On Roles:

• Animal Caretaker: Work with animals rather than people, such as in shelters, zoos, or veterinary offices.
• Vet Technician: Save the lives of animals while only interacting with animal lovers when needed.
• Landscaper: Spend time outdoors and enjoy the sunlight by being a landscaper.
• Driver: Enjoy the ride across states, provinces, and countries while spending little time conversing with others in this peaceful role.

General:

• Translator: If you speak a second language, you can put it to good use with remote work to translate written content.
• Librarian: The ultimate job for those with social anxiety. Set up libraries in peace and quiet with minimal public interaction.
• Survey Researcher: A simple role that is all about designing and conducting surveys, often behind the scenes.  

Summary

• Social anxiety disorder is a condition where individuals have intense fear and anxiety of being judged, criticized, or embarrassed in social situations.
• It can significantly impact career choices, including potential lost financial opportunities and career advancement.
• Knowing the root causes and signs of social anxiety can make it easier to determine career pathways.
• The best jobs for people with social anxiety include minimal social interaction, remote work opportunities, or tasks that emphasize individual rather than group dynamics.
• Careers in tech, creative fields, hands-on roles, and others are particularly well-suited for individuals with social anxiety.

If you are struggling with society anxiety, you can take two of our most life-changing courses: Overcoming the Fear of Rejection and Social Anxiety and Overcoming Anxiety for Peace of Mind.

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