hmm fair enough @creative_writer  I just finished a course did last year. I applied for a few jobs, got feedback from 2 that I would have had the job if I were in Adelaide (am in country in house I own and been adopted by stray cat who is a  bit damaged.)

had I taken job,would have been unfair to cat, ie abandoning it and I would have had to get accom for at least 5nights a week . prob would have quit /been sacked already, had like 6 medical appts recently as well, and not things I could put off. 

people I asked seem to be in 2 camps, career  and ignore cat or dont do it. I wish there was an acceptable option just to get experience, even for 6 mths maybe. Think I was putting myself under pressure and would have cracked.

Hopefully you find a way of making it work for you