u/datpepper

I am 29. I've never had a real job, I've never been in a relationship, I've never lived in a place of my own. I've dealt with depression, anxiety, OCD, probably some mild form of autism over these years. I don't know how to explain why I didn't look for work sooner... I felt I wasn't worthwhile enough and that I didn't belong in the real world. Last year I went to therapy after feeling quite down, and I was convinced to try to find a place for myself.

It took me 7 years to get my bachelor's, it's in interdisciplinary studies (English and Sociology). It wasn't ideal and I never had the opportunity for an internship because my counselor and I were doing our best to find classes I did well in and a direction for me to get my degree. During this time, I helped caretake for my grandfather during the last years of his life, I sold items on eBay, I delivered food and groceries with DoorDash, I volunteered with a local environmental group to clear invasive species, I ran a newsletter with a few friends, and I currently operate a Patreon.

My parents, who worked their whole lives at State Farm, thought I would have no problem getting a job there. Alas, I've been turned down by them five times over the past year. I was turned down at a lot of insurance companies near me, so I thought perhaps I could get a job somewhere in retail or customer service. Unfortunately, I've been turned down by so many restaurants, stores, offices, etc. I have also tried temp agencies and at places outside of town. I checked with my university's career counselors and we adjusted my resume so many times, while doing mock interviews that they said went well.

Am I "cooked" as the kids say? Have my years of hiding crippled me so much that there's nothing left to do? People say the job market is bad, but... I am terribly worried it's me and the disposition I placed myself in.

(Don't even get me started on dating...)

I have applied for Allstate so many times and never once received an interview. I tailor my resume, I've applied with referrals, I have my degree, I have a decade of sales experience.

I've applied with tailored resumes that have been reviewed by recruiters I know and career guidance counselors at ISU to Growmark (37 times), Country (80+ times), and State Farm (80+ times). I have also applied to Rivian, ISU, and Connect with no luck. I've tried applying for entry-level/minimum wage positions at Taco Bell, Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, etc. countless times. I have a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University, but I suppose it's worthless since it's in interdisciplinary studies and I graduated in 2022 and still haven't found work. I have interviewed for jobs all over the state 50+ times in the past year, I never get selected. I did interview prep with the aforementioned guidance counselors, they have said I interview well. I have a writing portfolio since I love writing articles (ran a newsletter of my own for a year before costs grew too exorbitant), I include my Excel portfolio since I love working with that program and use it in my free time, I volunteer with the Ecology Action Center when I can, I network and try to get referrals whenever possible. I am having terribly negative thoughts about my future. I don't know how to handle this.