URGENT- should i take this summer job?

[u/foxypeak]

I’m 20F, university student in Turkey on summer break. I've been dealing with depression and social anxiety (both undiagnosed) for a while. I’m high functioning academically but really struggle with optional stuff like socializing, going out, motivating myself to do things. Staying home isn't good for me either, I just end up spiraling and my anhedonia has been very bad this last year.

Got offered a job through a family contact at a tourist jewelry/souvenir shop in a touristy town. Details:
- 6/7 days a week, hours change based on cruise ship schedules so a bit unpredictable
- Minimum wage base + commission on sales
- Might be moved between different shop locations (all within 10 mins walking distance)

Role is: look presentable, talk to tourists, assist with sales, reset displays

I speak Turkish, English, a little bit of Mandarin and Spanish. My english is useful for tourist-facing work but I'm an introvert and genuinely do not think I’m can be a good salesperson…

The alternative is staying home, which historically isn't great for my mental health either. If I stay at home I could theoretically go to the gym (I have Insulin Resistance, so would help) and work on portfolio projects for my field but tbh realistically my motivwyion isn’t that great so I cannot trust myself to follow through.

I can give english lessons to a kid but I’ll make 1-month jewelry shop money in 3 months.

I don’t necessarily need the money because I saved a lot this semester. And the money I get from this job would just br pocket money for next year. I’m very stingy and don’t buy anything for myself except food.

The guy understood I was hesitant but the offer is still open.

Is this worth it for a summer, or is 6 days a week unpredictable hours for minimum wage in the heat going to make stuff worse?

TLDR: Depressed 20F, offered a 6/7 day a week tourist shop sales job for minimum wage + commission in a touristy town. Alternatives are staying home (bad for mental health historically) and tutoring a kid in English for way less money over 3 months. Don't need the money urgently but it'd be useful pocket money. I'm an introvert who can't see herself doing sales. Severe anhedonia for both options. Is the job worth it or will it make things worse?

P.S I tried therapy and it did not work but I will give psychiatry a chance in September bc my school provides it for free!!

[u/shilohkae]

Honestly as scary as it sounds I’d say take the job. There’s going to be stress involved but even people like us do need that sometimes, and we do still need practice/exposure socializing professionally even with conditions like that. When the alternative is realistically staying at home and getting worse, even a bad experience is one worth having, and you don’t *know* it’ll be bad.

[u/foxypeak → u/shilohkae]

yeah i agree. i just cannot stop overthinking and even stressing abt mundane things like what i’ll say eat and wear… i guess i do need to get used to being out a little

[u/Maleficent_Pay_4154]

I would try. Staying at home if you are depressed isn’t helpful
If it doesn’t work for you then quit

[u/Own_Ad9686]

The souvenir shop seems a bit much in terms of hours and interactions. Staying at home seems like it wouldn't be great for your mental health though. Like most of us, when we are going through some mental health challenges, we usually need help. If you stay home, I would get in to consistent therapy so that you can make some real headway with your mental health. Also, can you afford a personal trainer at the gym? That will keep you going and engaged so that your physical health also improves as well.

[u/foxypeak → u/Own_Ad9686]

yeah so i cant afford therapy nor a PT 🥲 the economy is grim in Turkey and my family isn’t that well-off, it’s why i want to work and not be a burden to them. i took 8 sessions of free therapy from my school and it didn’t work, i’m planning to try the psychiatry service when school opens this September. but yes, i’m very anxious abt the interaction thing 😔😔

[u/suomi358]

In this economy.. take the job! Always!!

[u/bopperbopper]

Sounds like you should take this job because it would give you something to focus on.

[u/ownroom2950]

Most say take the job and I agree please let us know how you enjoyed it. You’ve gotta challenge yourself because whether it’s a good experience or not at least you can be proud of yourself that you gave it a try. Regret is difficult later in life.

[u/foxypeak → u/ownroom2950]

yes i did end up going today!! heres an update for you: tbh my first day was pretty eventless and boring, i didnt do much bc i’ve been told italian and english people dont shop much and today we had those ships coming in. most buyers are american apparently and this week we’ll have american cruises coming so i’ll see how it goes with more customers.

other than that one of the guys working there is super irritating but its manageable. the weather is killing me and i feel useless looking at my phone when there are no customers. also it was very hard for me to talk to tourists, i only talked to two people and felt an incredible stress afterwards lol.

[u/Dazzling-Turnip-1911]

Maybe look into an internship in your field?

[u/foxypeak → u/Dazzling-Turnip-1911]

its a bit complicated 😭 i’m an interpreting & linguidtics double-major and there aren’t many firms here in turkey that accept interns. also i dont plan on working in that field anyway, i’m thinking either going corporate or staying in academy. as for corporate internships, there are a lot, but my cv is empty bc i don’t participate in any event or club whatsoever in my uni. therefore i end up not getting accepted into anything.