A job is a job?

banshee_bones

OK so in these harsh economic times. Is it better to take the minimum wage soul destroying job or hold out until you find something that you are better suited to? Bearing in mind that sitting around looking for work in a city where 16,000 are already unemployed is almost just as crushing to the pysche?!!

After four years in college is this it? Was i naieve to think that holding an honours degree would free me from the low skilled minimum wage job?

But then after all is said and done...money is money right?

MagicMarker

If you can't find ANYTHING else then take whatever you're offered and keep searching in the mean time.

Oh, and your mother.

Hogzy

Well i suppose it all depends on how much of a crisis your in... If you can afford to hold on for a better job then do, however if your in trouble and need money quick get the bad paying job but dont let that hold you back from pursuing your career! Once you find your job tell them where they can stick there minimum wage job!

Then PM me and let me know where the vacancy is;)

Gauge

banshee_bones wrote: »

Was i naieve to think that holding an honours degree would free me from the low skilled minimum wage job?

Yes.

banshee_bones

yes, guess i can continue to look for something i like while i take the minimum wage job! use it as motivation?
Thanks magic!

Turd Ferguson

I'm doing a shitty soul destroying job right now. But at least I have monies for the drugs/alcohol to get through the day.

Go for it.

banshee_bones

banshee_bones wrote: »

Was i naieve to think that holding an honours degree would free me from the low skilled minimum wage job?

Do a masters or a Ph.D you bum.

brianthebard

Go back to college? Avoiding the real world for as long as possible is what uni is all about after all. /goes back to his jstor article.

snubbleste

banshee_bones wrote: »

.. Bearing in mind that sitting around looking for work in a city where 16,000 are already unemployed is almost just as crushing to the pysche?!!...

Where did you get the 16,000 unemployed in galway figure from?

hobochris

banshee_bones wrote: »

After four years in college is this it? Was i naieve to think that holding an honours degree would free me from the low skilled minimum wage job?

Depends on what field your honours degree is in.

banshee_bones

eh i AM going back to do an MA but that wont be until September.

Apparantly that was on the news, the dole ques in Galway, heard that figure being thrown about. Sorry I could be wrong

Dudess

banshee_bones wrote: »

OK so in these harsh economic times. Is it better to take the minimum wage soul destroying job or hold out until you find something that you are better suited to? Bearing in mind that sitting around looking for work in a city where 16,000 are already unemployed is almost just as crushing to the pysche?!!

After four years in college is this it? Was i naieve to think that holding an honours degree would free me from the low skilled minimum wage job?

But then after all is said and done...money is money right?

No brainer I'd have thought. Work is about more than money - it gives you a reason for getting out of bed in the morning, it gets you out of the house, it can be a social outlet, and from a practical/career perspective it gives you experience for your CV.
Just getting the dole and staying up all night/in bed all day, being alone all the time until evening... well maybe some people would enjoy that, but if it's your idea of misery, then to refuse to work in a mediocre job for the sake of holding out til something related to your degree comes along (and it may not for a long time) is absolute idiocy.

Take a crappy job - nobody says you have to stay in it. And if a job you'd love becomes vacant elsewhere, what's gonna look better on your CV - nine months of doing nothing or nine months' working somewhere?

brianthebard

So what are you worried about either way? Minimum wage or dream job you're out of there in September. pfft.

ejmaztec

Starting off in a variety of sh1t jobs always looks good when you get round to writing your autobiography from the comfort of your multi-million Euro stately pile in about thirty years time.

banshee_bones

I have applied for Masters, have yet to be accepted. Worried about not getting accepted and being stuck in the job!

Ha ha its actually funny because i havent even been offered the crap job yet! Interview is today! im speculating about the possible outcomes!

banshee_bones

ejmaztec wrote: »

Starting off in a variety of sh1t jobs always looks good when you get round to writing your autobiography from the comfort of your multi-million Euro stately pile in about thirty years time.

mm i like the sound of that!

homerun_homer

Glad I never went back to college after quitting, I know too many people who can't get work in their chosen fields because they have no experience in it. It's just stupid.
Take the job to avoid the dole queues but it might end up draining you and numbing you and any chance to find that dream job in the meantime go down the drain. Nah, that's the negative way to look at it. It may inspire you to get that better job.

pearlpunjabi

I was delighted with myself following successful completion of Masters Degree. My happiness did not last long though. I have no job and before doing the course I had well paid job. Searched the entire country for the job. Unfortunately no luck. I applied for every position that have been advertised and havent been invited even for one interview. Getting really depressed now. Dont know what to do anymore.

thebman

pearlpunjabi wrote: »

I was delighted with myself following successful completion of Masters Degree. My happiness did not last long though. I have no job and before doing the course I had well paid job. Searched the entire country for the job. Unfortunately no luck. I applied for every position that have been advertised and havent been invited even for one interview. Getting really depressed now. Dont know what to do anymore.

Go get drunk!

Then all you problems will disappear!

temporarily

homerun_homer

pearlpunjabi wrote: »

I applied for every position that have been advertised and havent been invited even for one interview. Getting really depressed now. Dont know what to do anymore.

What is it with agencies and companies not getting back to you in relation to these things? Very frustrating.
I went for an interview in a big name company in Dublin late November. The Agency guy was very helpful, sent me interview tips and info on the business etc, map/directions. Rang me before & after the interview.
The interview itself went well but I was told the job was only a temp one for Christmas and that I shouldn't have wasted my time getting the train up from Limerick. either way I told them to consider me and they said they'd get back to me.

Not a word back from either of them, no dear john call or letter. Given they knew I wasted time off work and train fares for it, I would have appreciated the common courtesy.

Captain Darling

homerun_homer wrote: »

What is it with agencies and companies not getting back to you in relation to these things? Very frustrating.
I went for an interview in a big name company in Dublin late November. The Agency guy was very helpful, sent me interview tips and info on the business etc, map/directions. Rang me before & after the interview.
The interview itself went well but I was told the job was only a temp one for Christmas and that I shouldn't have wasted my time getting the train up from Limerick. either way I told them to consider me and they said they'd get back to me.

Not a word back from either of them, no dear john call or letter. Given they knew I wasted time off work and train fares for it, I would have appreciated the common courtesy.

Feeling slightly bitter?

thebman

Captain Darling wrote: »

Feeling slightly bitter?

If companies expect people to turn up on time for interviews, the least they could do is get back to them and let them know if they got the position or not.

There aren't that many people that apply for these positions that it is impossible to get back to them all.

Irish companies are just sh*t for this TBH. The actual likes of Dunnes etc.. are better at letting people know than the ones that are supposed to treat their workers well.

Dudess

Captain Darling wrote: »

Feeling slightly bitter?

Perfectly reasonable grievance surely?

Are you a recruitment consultant?

TestTransmission

banshee_bones wrote: »

I have applied for Masters, have yet to be accepted. Worried about not getting accepted and being stuck in the job!

Ha ha its actually funny because i havent even been offered the crap job yet! Interview is today! im speculating about the possible outcomes!

How strict is McDonalds recruitment process nowadays?

Captain Darling

brim4brim wrote: »

If companies expect people to turn up on time for interviews, the least they could do is get back to them and let them know if they got the position or not.

There aren't that many people that apply for these positions that it is impossible to get back to them all.

Irish companies are just sh*t for this TBH. The actual likes of Dunnes etc.. are better at letting people know than the ones that are supposed to treat their workers well.

Aye too true, too true.

Dudess wrote: »

Perfectly reasonable grievance surely?

Are you a recruitment consultant?

Most certainly not. I just enjoyed the tone of the post. Nothing like a good old rant.

deadhead13

Emigration is going to make a big comeback . Problem is, where can you go.

TestTransmission

Africa,

thebman

deadhead13 wrote: »

Emigration is going to make a big comeback . Problem is, where can you go.

I think we should start our own boards country. We obviously have the brightest minds in Ireland here so lets just take over the place :pac:

Terry

jackncoke wrote: »

How strict is McDonalds recruitment process nowadays?

I had thought of applying there, but I'd just end up as part of a Channel 4 documentary.
I also considered stacking shelves, but a simple trip to the shops earlier on landed me two jobs.
Work is starting to come back in.

OP, take whatever you can.
Staying on the dole will not look good on a C.V.
When you apply for your next job in your chosen field, at least you can show them that you weren't just sitting around doing nothing.

Captain Darling

brim4brim wrote: »

I think we should start our own boards country. We obviously have the brightest minds in Ireland here so lets just take over the place :pac:

It would be a Boards-topia.:pac:


Ahem.


/gets coat.

Cuddlesworth

pearlpunjabi wrote: »

I was delighted with myself following successful completion of Masters Degree. My happiness did not last long though. I have no job and before doing the course I had well paid job. Searched the entire country for the job. Unfortunately no luck. I applied for every position that have been advertised and havent been invited even for one interview. Getting really depressed now. Dont know what to do anymore.

Really interesting fact, most degrees have little to do or in common with actual work*. So when a person comes with a Masters expecting big money and another comes with 2+ years of experience, guess who they ignore?

During college you should have been offering to work for free in your chosen field, making contacts and lining yourself up for a job before you ever left. There are plenty of people who did this and succeeded.


*Ps; I'm aware that certain extremely technical degrees need the basics taught in College(engineering, physics etc).

deadhead13

That's not very cuddlesome.

corkhero

The minimum wage job definitely.

I do a job i absolutely hate, working in a clothes shop.

Money is money though and it helps me through college.

Dudess

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Really interesting fact, most degrees have little to do or in common with actual work

To be fair though, third-level education is put on such a pedestal when you're growing up - by parents and teachers to name but a few... no wonder students expect to get a good job with just a degree.

The only important qualification I think there is, is the leaving cert. After that, the only essential third-level courses are those which are actually required, like medicine, teaching, engineering... and even these don't guarantee you a job.

An arts degree/masters alone isn't worth sh1t.

Captain Darling

Dudess wrote: »

To be fair though, third-level education is put on such a pedestal when you're growing up - by parents and teachers to name but a few... no wonder students expect to get a good job with just a degree.

The only important qualification I think there is, is the leaving cert. After that, the only essential third-level courses are those which are actually required, like medicine, teaching, engineering... and even these don't guarantee you a job.

An arts degree/masters alone isn't worth sh1t.

I think it stems from the fact that for the older generations, the professional classes were the only people with degrees (of which there were not too many). Now they are ten-a-penny however.

As Cuddles said above, the qualification is worth jack-sh1t if you dont have the experience to back it up.

banshee_bones

banshee_bones wrote: »

Was i naieve to think that holding an honours degree would free me from the low skilled minimum wage job?

Gauge wrote: »

Yes.

If its in a good field: science, engineering, commerce etc. It should free people from low skilled work etc, other wise whats the point

Captain Darling wrote: »

As Cuddles said above, the qualification is worth jack-sh1t if you dont have the experience to back it up.

You cannot get the experience without having the qualification so what do you suggest people do?

OP depending on your the subject of your degree there are lots of PhD's out there as the gov are giving a lot of initiatives to University's in order to increase the numbers of PhD students in science and engineering. I was in your situation and I am now doing a PhD. The money is about the same as minimum wage so its possible to ride out the recession and have another qualification after when things pick up that will put you ahead of everyone comming out of college with a degree.

Cuddlesworth

Rivka Fluffy Riffraff wrote: »

You cannot get the experience without having the qualification so what do you suggest people do?

It really does work like this, if you are a doing a course and there is not a definitive list of job roles, all in the same field, for application at the end of the course and who only look for that degree odds are its a pointless waste of your time.

In my field, and in quite a few jobs I have worked experience is number one. The clever people in College work for free, getting the experience and the job at the end. I really don't know why they don't push that approach more.

Captain Darling

Rivka Fluffy Riffraff wrote: »

If its in a good field: science, engineering, commerce etc. It should free people from low skilled work etc, other wise whats the point



You cannot get the experience without having the qualification so what do you suggest people do?

Errr, i'm not making any suggestions, i was making the observation that people with relevant and proven work experience are looked on more favourably by employers, than somebody who has just come out of college with their shiny new degree.

razorblunt

Spent the last 8 years working in retail, going through school and college, finishing up in February to concentrate on study cant bloody wait, looking back they wrecked my head but the money was fierce handy.

Was worried about the situation for postgraduates but was offered a job today. So I'll be emigrating in the summer although nowadays you can call it "moving abroad". Happy Days!

It can be a vicious circle though. You need experience, but you can't get experience without the degree, and if you do go to college for four years, how much relevant experience are you going to have as a fresh graduate? I'm often told I don't have enough, but I'm 23. I haven't been on the earth as long as someone who's 30, so of course I have less experience. I'm desperate to learn but I can't if nobody gives me a chance. I am currently working as a TEFL teacher and several schools passed on me because of my age. How can I get experience if nobody gives me a job? Experience is important, but there's also qualifications, enthusiasm, reliability, willingness to learn....

Alessandra

I have learned something recently in that just because I have a degree and post-grad, I am not automatically entitled to a "good job". I had to bite the bullet and go back to minimum wage just to keep my head above water and pay bills.

There is something satisfactory about doing a 40hour week and getting paid(albeit poorly). I find that it encourages me to be motivated and keep an eye out for better opportunities. Whilst also making me realise how to budget when the time comes that I will have money to save.

The past few months also gave me some interesting insights into human nature. The frankly condescending attitude of some towards minimum wage workers is shocking! My second job is much more well paid but I put equal effort into both. Reward is seeing a job well done.


In short it's better to be out working than home waiting months on the dole and getting stuck in a rut.

banshee_bones

well i had the interview today, well should i say lecture because all the guy did was talk, he talked and talked and talked AT me. If i managed to get a word in he would go off on another tangent entirely. It was so bizarre. Iv never experinecned anything like it

If the shifts and money he has promised are actually for real well give me the damn job because i have never taken home €400+ in any of my previous jobs! Ever!

However il know either tomorrow or monday... so back to the jobhunting tomorrow!

Sabre0001

Graduated last August and no job for a while...Took a Christmas temp job in retail (full time) which then became a more permanent fixture. Also trying to start up and develop a website on the side with plans for global domination - mwahahahahaha (and a couple of side projects within this plan).

Like the job, like the people....would be great if it wasn't for the customers But it's a means to an end. One thing that is wierd / annoying is meeting people I used to go to school with and they say things like "you're not working?"...Eh, I do have a job as you can see as I am serving you in this shop and I have other stuff. I'm just not a member of the suited corporate machine.

Take the job...See what else is there. If you don't, money will dry up and then what happens. Also, as someone said above, a job can give you structure, a social outlet...and of course, money!

tribulus

I'm also a graduate (science) and couln't get a job. So now I'm applying to the same companies as I did several months previously but simply asking for unpaid internships, I really couldn't care less about the money, I just need the experience.

In the meantime I have yet another boring retail job and make slightly more than minimum wage though I'm only part-time. There's a supervisory/team leader position that I'll be going for soon. I'm also starting a FAS course soon. It's all you can do at the moment to try and progress however you can, so when you eventually get the chance of your first "career" job you can show your initiative etc. and if you can somehow relate aspects of your crappy job to the better one. I could get the dole and I'd make more from that than I do from working but I honestly think or hope that what I'm doing now will stick to me.

While I can't speak for all graduates I certainly never expected any minimum salary level or to walk into a job it's just the feeling of desperation (probably too strong a word) at times is f*cking s hit. Several of my friends never went to college or failed first year and dropped out but worked hard at the job they got at the time and they're fine, I'd love to just have that chance tbh.

Phew, that's by far my longest and most serious post on AH ever! //pats back

Tom Trojan

Big Job?

m83

All this talk is making me dizzy. I spent 5 years in college doing engineering. Walked into a job 2 days after it. Nearly 4 years into it now, on great money and love the job too.

/counts blessings.

RandolphEsq

Dudess wrote: »

No brainer I'd have thought. Work is about more than money - it gives you a reason for getting out of bed in the morning, it gets you out of the house, it can be a social outlet, and from a practical/career perspective it gives you experience for your CV.
Just getting the dole and staying up all night/in bed all day, being alone all the time until evening... well maybe some people would enjoy that, but if it's your idea of misery, then to refuse to work in a mediocre job for the sake of holding out til something related to your degree comes along (and it may not for a long time) is absolute idiocy.

Take a crappy job - nobody says you have to stay in it. And if a job you'd love becomes vacant elsewhere, what's gonna look better on your CV - nine months of doing nothing or nine months' working somewhere?

Ah but what is with this money obsession? To live a somewhat comfortable and fulfilling life yes. But why is money needed for this? What sort of economic system are we automatically ascribed to? The best things in life shouldn't cost you; sex! sex! sex!