+xMy first conviction for common assault and criminal damage, it was a stupid mistake I regret. I was given a 6-month prison sentence (Suspended) for 2 years. I posted last year about being nervous the college judging me for my past cautions. Recently the college found out and asked me to declare, I did two weeks ago and now await their reply. At first, my mental health rapidly declined because for the past 3 years I have focused on studying numerous courses with the college passing and then decided to apply for the same course online. How can those convicted do good in society if many doors close in front of them? I am in the process of finishing my disclosure statement although when any forms ask for me to declare I get nervous and would like some advice about how increase my confidence? Two other application forms asked about my conviction and I pulled away before filling out in fear of discrimination. I am keen to get back on the ladder contributing to society. I am not sure about employers asking us to disclose our criminal convictions are covered under the data protection act? Do they gossip to random strangers about my conviction? I understand they can talk within their company. Sometimes I feel defeated and other times happy, unfortunately, more times not. My situation is similar to yours except my "offence" (trolling someone on Facebook who wouldn't leave me alone) occured shortly after I had finished 6 years of uni and college studying engineering to masters degree level. I had two engineering jobs instantly after finishing uni so I was working for 16 months but I eventually lost my final job in January 2018 and I have been on the dole since then. I have applied to over 100 jobs in that time (just to keep getting free money) but to be honest the offence has changed the way I see life. I no longer feel guilty for getting the dole. Why should I bother to contribute to a country which didn't hesitate to screw me over at the first chance? One that punishes those that try and rewards those that don't? I tried my hardest to fight the unfair prosecution of my offence for years but didn't get anywhere so it was time to accept that and make a promise to myself that I would not contribute back to the country and that I would focus on making myself happy. Obviously there is a lot more to it than this, there is the ridiculously competitive entry level jobs for graduates and the prospect of paying the massive student loan back if I did work for example. I was diagnosed with autism during my court case and this means that I couldn't really cope with having a criminal record while working for a few reasons (the people at my last work used to always joke about CRB checks and people with convictions and my heart went crazy). Since then I have been exploring self-employed methods to make money online rather than doing what the crowd does and I am hoping to try and become self-sufficient doing this. I would say that having a record won't prevent you from doing your career if you really want it but there's always self-employed options or something else if it doesn't work out. Unfortunately this is what the country has given me, they have spent six-figures on my education and then six-figures on my unfair prosecution. I reacted with the path of least resistance and the best value which is not to continue working as an engineer.
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