Hey Crystal,

You can do anything when you out your mind to it! I read the first line of your post and was like ‘ohhhh my goshhh! a vet intern?! a teaching assistant?! thats awesome!’
I’m a higher level teaching assistant too, and i love my job. I’m looking for a new one like you are and i too have had emotional abuse from loved ones.

I always keep my thoughts in my head and my mouth closed for if i said what i thought, i wouldn’t get very far. But really, all you need if self- belief and courage. Stand up and hold your head high; the children’s motto at school is “Reach for the Stars!” and as a member of staff, i believe in that too!

Your best bet here, is to stay in education and work with children as an assistant. You’ll find it’s really rewarding and you can go home feel happy and relaxed after spending the day with young minds and personalities.
From here too, you can safely and moderately expand your career whilst working, going from a level 2 assistant, to a level 3 and then even getting your HLTA status like me.

In terms of having a social anxiety issue, try going out by yourself more often – perhaps to the cinema, or just for a walk, shopping, join a club or the gym. And after your confidence grows, you will be able to make friends and become more socially interactive. This will also help with you becoming more independent.

Be kind to yourself, Crystal and remember to have confidence and self-belief.

“If you have good thoughts, they will shine out your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” – Roald Dahl

Best of luck!