Interview for professional services

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I have an interview for professional services firm “big four” in the UK.

It’s only for a weeks programme of virtual experience.

Is it possible to see oneself to be with schizophrenia and function in ‘Risk advisory’ in the future?

I’m going down the academic route, but if I could go into professional services or financial services, I’d be happy that I can do something interesting and develop wealth which is my goal.

Has anybody managed to work in accounting or financial services for an extended period of time on this forum? Or know of anyone who has? With our condition of schizophrenia?

Meds seems to control the positive symptoms of my condition. When I move out soon, I expect I’ll have more control over stressors too/natural triggers bec I’m surprisingly good at stress management

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If your symptoms are controlled, I think it’s very possible to work in any field really, unless it’s one of the really high stress jobs. There are articles about which jobs are the most stressful. If I thought I could work, I would just avoid those jobs

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It depends on negative and cognitive symptoms too, not just positive symptoms.

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Have you during the time of having a diagnosis; ever felt you would function fine and competently in full time work? As in personally, have you felt, so long as you work hard and be sensible.

I believe, as long as I can feel the above, I should be able to chance it. If a relapse happens, I know and trust I will be properly treated, but I want to bet on taking this chance because otherwise I may fall into my own habit of underperforming or lacking emotional investment / passion in my daily life.

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You are right. What do you think of someone who seems to perform well (averagely) when compared to other students he’s in a cohort with?

Negative symptoms, just like the voices. I do my utmost to pretend don’t exist, I focus my thoughts on a step and then work towards how to achieve it, as quickly as possible. I find that helps.

That is risk taking given our disease, but if you are lucky enough to notice when psychotic major symptoms are arising - I feel; it might just be doable ?

What do you think?

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Its possible. For me its hard to notice positive symptoms because when I have them I refuse taking meds at all costs.

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Its like if refusing meds is part of my positive symptoms.

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Of course it is possible. I worked for a bit more than 2 years in risk management at a bank. I am now pursuing law school. There are plenty of people who have worked in similar capacities with schizophrenia but they simply don’t disclose it. One thing I have found is that nutrition is critical for managing your illness and for wakefulness with anti-psychotics. No supplements helped me as much as having a big arugula salad every day. I sleep less, function much better physically and mentally.

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I tried to work but failed. Good luck to you though. I hope it works out

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I have a full time job now.
It was a bit stressful at first, and my symptoms flared a little, but once I adjusted to it I was fine.

I didn’t tell my employer about it until I absolutely had to, because it has not affected my work performance in any way.

And let me just say, if you don’t have anxiety, coffee works wonders for negatives when you have to stay alert

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Risk is the exactly thing I am interested in, and before I chose economics for degree level ; I was going to chose law!

I see. I guess what’s bothering me, is that I just don’t hear enough of others performing in otherwise familiar settings like the workplace.

So then when I think of that , the downwards spiral of fear/doubt and anxiousness eats me up to say; don’t bother trying.

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I agree, coffee works incredibly. I have anxiety but I still use it, bc I’d rather be anxious to death than tired to death - I’ve just gotten used to palpitations and feeling needs to move or occupy and dealing with fear.

Nothing is bad as a psychotic state, even anxiety I feel, and they includes when I have panic attacks.

I’m happy to hear you have performed and also are currently doing what you would like without your disease halting your choice of life.

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I find risk extremely boring. I much prefer law with the excitement in litigation in the court room.

My mom believes I cannot succeed doing anything too. However, as my psychiatrist told her, I am now own person and there is no point comparing myself to others. You are capable of achieving much more if you persevere through hardships. The most successful people in the world are always those who have perseverance.

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Personally, I haven’t encountered risk in professional capacity So I am not position to give an opinion. But I am happy to see that you have performed in the sector and have even left it out of choice.

I don’t have the issue of a mum that doesn’t believe I can’t do things, for me it’s more a case of doing it in a way that appeals to what is normal. This won’t make sense. But she doesn’t like the idea of a person who swings personalities and tendencies, it’s unpredictable and therefore comes across unreliable

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That’s fair. I’m not sure what I would do in your situation. It’s a difficult one

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What is important is that you’ve actually tried it. There’s nothing to say, you won’t be better suited to whatever your next goal is, when that next comes.

Good luck for you as well,

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Well congrats on the hard work and interview. You must be extremely talented.

I hope it all works out for you.

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Thank you, that’s kind

I wouldn’t say talent because it was lucky. They just liked the application I would say, concise language I’d say - easy for a recruiter or hiring officer to understand and chance on!

Thank you tho, As above, your kind words - ty!

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