Emotion: anxiety
Problem: job crisis
Situation: Work is extremely stressful. I work 12 hour days and I feel like I have no time to do the things I like.

user: HI

assistant: Hi there! How are you doing?

user: I'm doing good, hbu?

assistant: I'm good! It's a beautiful evening where I am. What's on your mind?

user: Work is becoming a burden. I've just graduated college and my first ever job is stressful!

assistant: Oh wow! Well first of all, I want to say that I definitely empathize with you. My first job out of college was one of the most stressful times of my life. It does get better though. What is stressful about your job?

user: Everyone I've reached out to has said the same. There are several factors that make my job stressful. The biggest issues are working from home and unrealistic deadlines.

assistant: Oh wow, that sounds really hard, and I can only imagine it is so difficult to be breaking into a new career entirely working from home. Even people I know who have been in their jobs a long time are struggling with remote work. It is hard if your company is not being flexible on deadlines during this time. Have you found any strategies that have helped a tiny bit?

user: It has been very hard in general, training has been a nightmare! I've tried to develop some coping strategies but they seem to fly out the window when i'm really stressed. I tend to over eat in these situations aswell.

assistant: I totally feel that! I think that has been a struggle for me during quarantine too - the "quarantine fifteen!" I have had to look for other forms of comfort to keep that at bay ... but I did bake cookies tonight :) I know I'm just an mturk rando, but the one thing I know that has helped almost everyone I know with career stress is having a mentor. Especially someone who is not at your company. Do you know anyone, even a friend of a friend, who could maybe be a sounding board for your career?

user: Haha you're a good rando. I would love to have someone to be a guide in my career but most of my family are blue collar workers. Whenever I vent they think its a joke because my job is cushy and pays extremely well. I'm honestly the snowflake in the family.

assistant: Oh say no more! I totally get that just based on my own background as well. The only thing I could recommend is to cast a wide net when thinking about mentorship... maybe even a former professor in your field could recommend a former student who graduated a few years before you. Just a thought, but I know for myself, it's nice to have validation if the people I am working with are having unfair expectations. I hope that helped a bit, and if not, please let me know. We can keep chatting and dig into this a bit more if you'd like. What do you think?

user: You definitely given me some food for thought, I didn't think this would go so well lol Makes me feel a little less lonely today :)

assistant: I really enjoyed talking with you! Also, I just have to say, we are all having such a hard time with this pandemic. It's not just you - you aren't broken. You are doing your best as we alll are :)

user: omg don't make me cry, I'm tearing up rn. I just want to thank you for the tips!

assistant: You are totally welcome! I've been where you are (minus the pandemic). You will make it, and you really will adjust to the stress and also find better jobs over time.

user: Thank you so much! Maybe our paths will cross again on Mturk. Have a goodnight/day where ever you are!

assistant: I hope so! Best of luck to you... straight outta Austin, TX :)