Sophie

Sophie

“That anxiety has been replaced with excitement”

Hi, I’m Sophie and I’m 24.

Before starting at Hamlet I’d been out of work for almost four years. When I finished at my last job I’d suffered greatly with my mental health. I had just turned 21 and sat down to update my resume when I realised I had nothing to put on it. No work experience (that hadn’t ended badly for me) and no references. The idea of applying for work drove me deeper and deeper into my depression. As the years went on I began to think “this is it for me. This is all I’ll ever be.” 

In the summer of 2018 I summoned up the last ounce of courage I had and applied for the Hamlet work experience program. Within a few months of applying I was walking into my first shift at the café, and to say I was nervous is an understatement. I knew nothing about working in hospitality; I had no confidence in myself. 

Over my time at Hamlet, I’ve learned about working in hospitality, taking customers’ orders, serving food, and even making coffee and so many other great things that I can put on my resume. Thanks to the team for helping me with writing that too! 

I’ve also learned a lot about myself; that I do have to skills needed to gain employment, in fact through people I’ve met at Hamlet I’ve got a casual job. I can now look back at where was just a year ago and see how much I’ve changed. Sure, applying for jobs is still scary, but it doesn’t fill me with a deep anxiety that it used it. That anxiety has been replaced with excitement. Excitement for my future; and I only have the amazing team at Hamlet to thank for that.

My superhero power would be:
Talking to animals

Something I love:
The sounds of the rain while I fall asleep