Recession victim

LegacyUser

Lost my job a few months ago and had no luck finding work and i am going insane.I have never been this depressed before in my life.I feel real bad at the moment almost like killing myself

My career was related to the construction boom in ireland worked 3 years fulltime and now no work at all.
I am at the beging for work stage now and feel terrible. Worse is my family they're no help to me at all i rremembered a time when i was doing the leaving cert and my mother made my life hell do this career do that college etc, but that all ended when i got the so called good college that lasted 4 years, but now i am back to this crap again she wont leave me alone.
iam also getting very stubborn, I spent 4 years doing a college course related to IT that didnt help me out much. Complete waist it was now people are telling me to go back to college to do some miracle degree but i just passed the old college the last day and i said to myself i never want to go back to the college life again.

I was saving up for a deposit for a house the last few years now that dream seems to be dying, do i waist that hard earned money on a new college degree or start a new business that might fail, i just dont know it was back breaking labour that made that money.

I also have no girlfriend these days and its driving me insane i really miss not having a bit of company in these hard times.I have had times like this before but this time around i cant afford the whole pub club scene so i just dont know what to do, dont have many friends this time round either its a nightmare.

iam in my mid 20s now and i feel like crap has anyone been in a suitation like this before man i just want to be happy but dont know what to do
I am startin to feel awful paranoid or something and have the feeling iam going to start to make some stupid decisions.

ellie1

The worst thing to do is sit around and do nothing. This is what is making you depressed. Apply for all jobs. If you have a degree, look up your options for a masters. It doesnt take as long and you may get a grant towards it. You could also use it to change your career. Even on the dole you can save a small amount such as 25euro a week. Four pints is twenty euro and a cheap bottle of vino before you go out. There is plenty of things to do for free, do them now. At least you dont have a mortgage and no job. (every cloud....)

The Corinthian

hardworkindude wrote: »

I spent 4 years doing a college course related to IT that didnt help me out much.

I suspect (and could be wrong) this is your problem - well, not the IT per say.

A lot of people spend their entire lives chasing the market. You probably decided to go into IT when the dotcom was still, just about, going on. When that bubble burst, you jumped onto the next one - construction. Now you're really just waiting for the next one to jump onto.

While sometimes it's a good idea to change career, the danger is that you can't keep on doing so every time you see something shiny. Better to stick to something you're good at and/or enjoy and manoeuvre yourself into a position whereby your skills are as recession proof as possible.

Otherwise, all that will happen is that you will change career every few years, becoming a Jack of all trades and master of none, and in reality the masters of trades do well regardless of the economic situation.

LegacyUser

id advice you think to think of the current economic climate. when i left school, i was more inclined to do an arts/humanities course but i did actually think "Oh what if the economy goes bust??I'd probably be better with something more practical." so im just finishin up a business degree. i dont like it but honestly i just want a job! dont be so picky! if you have an IT degree why not try to get some work with that?or think of what would actually suit you. i know you dont want to go back to college but unskilled jobs are disappearing now so you really do need some skills! ive a sister who has a great job-its interesting to her but honestly,the financial security attached to it was a huge incentive for her.work is work its not fun. like any of us, she'd much rather doss around with her boyf etc. i used to be very idealistic too but then i thought "hey no-one likes work anyway-i can have a life outside of it. having a good standard of living is more important than a vocation-type job".

you actually have lots of options but dont want to consider them

sorry if im being harsh but i think someone needs to say it instead of tippy-toeing round the issue

LegacyUser

The Corinthian wrote: »

I suspect (and could be wrong) this is your problem - well, not the IT per say.

A lot of people spend their entire lives chasing the market. You probably decided to go into IT when the dotcom was still, just about, going on. When that bubble burst, you jumped onto the next one - construction. Now you're really just waiting for the next one to jump onto.

While sometimes it's a good idea to change career, the danger is that you can't keep on doing so every time you see something shiny. Better to stick to something you're good at and/or enjoy and manoeuvre yourself into a position whereby your skills are as recession proof as possible.

Otherwise, all that will happen is that you will change career every few years, becoming a Jack of all trades and master of none, and in reality the masters of trades do well regardless of the economic situation.

what you said is very true and like many people i want to keep my current career i loved it but how many months of unemployment can i take. i have invested a good bit of money and time in the career so i can only hope things will pick up again its just with every passing day things seem to get worse, and in these times how do i compete again the guy with the new van and 20+ years experience.

i was actually very good in the IT area but for mental health reasons i had to leave it all behind and start something fresh.I worked very hard in a IT company that failed,spent to many hours working for something that didnt work out and it all happened in the dotcom bust, so i looked around to see what the average joe was doing and most guys were workin in construction so thats what i headed for and worked hard at it for a few years till this recession happened and now iam scratching my head wondering what ill do next

estar

you seem to be in a bit of a whirl, although you have many many positives things in relation to other people i know.

1. you have a degree, many in your sector didnt.
2. you dont have a mortgage but rather, have savings
3. you have completed your training in your related field (I think)
4. you have a family you although they are nagging - still care and are there

its time to count your blessings my friend. you dont know what to do, and dont have to do anything, so dont. give yourself a few months off. this recession isnt going anywhere, and you dont have mouths to feed or a loan to service. so bide your time.

have you considered taking some of that cash - perhaps 3 grand, and travelling around somewhere like india/

or else, taking stock of your life, seeing what you might actually like to do or be good at/

you were good at IT and had to give up for mental health reasons - ie you burned out? well you are older and wiser now. is there any reason why you couldnt look in this sector - not for a high power position, but a smaller one?

you need to get out of your own head, and relax before you make this decision about what to do next.

so give yourself a break. start some volunteering, perhaps helping people in some way with your skills for no money at all. does anyone in your community need something done - is there a youth group you could join and teach some skills to?

i know there are youth groups all over the country that need people to supervise, with skills.

why not do that for a while and it will also help get you out meeting people.

if you feel your mental health issues are recurring, go straight to your GP and find the proper support.

dny123456

hardworkindude wrote: »

i was actually very good in the IT area but for mental health reasons i had to leave it all behind and start something fresh.I worked very hard in a IT company that failed,spent to many hours working for something that didnt work out and it all happened in the dotcom bust,

If that's the case, id definitely give IT another go. It's not something everyone can do and if it's something you are good at it's very rewarding for the right company. You may just have been unlucky with the company you joined.

Alternatively, wait and enroll in a masters next september (paid for by social welfare, with your 200 euro a week). Pick a specialty area that you might enjoy. Maybe games development? or whatever floats your boat.

who_ru

ellie1 wrote: »

Apply for all jobs.

DO NOT apply for all jobs. apply only to jobs that you have a chance of getting and are suited too. companies will no longer consider applications from people with no background, experience in a particular role. concentrate on areas that are relevant to you.

you say now that you do not want to return to college. this will in time probably change. most if not all mature students are in college because they want to be not because their mother has been nagging them to go.

the situation is not nearly as bad as you see it.

Heineken Helen

estar wrote: »

you seem to be in a bit of a whirl, although you have many many positives things in relation to other people i know.

1. you have a degree, many in your sector didnt.
2. you dont have a mortgage but rather, have savings
3. you have completed your training in your related field (I think)
4. you have a family you although they are nagging - still care and are there

its time to count your blessings my friend. you dont know what to do, and dont have to do anything, so dont. give yourself a few months off. this recession isnt going anywhere, and you dont have mouths to feed or a loan to service. so bide your time.

have you considered taking some of that cash - perhaps 3 grand, and travelling around somewhere like india/

or else, taking stock of your life, seeing what you might actually like to do or be good at/

you were good at IT and had to give up for mental health reasons - ie you burned out? well you are older and wiser now. is there any reason why you couldnt look in this sector - not for a high power position, but a smaller one?

you need to get out of your own head, and relax before you make this decision about what to do next.

so give yourself a break. start some volunteering, perhaps helping people in some way with your skills for no money at all. does anyone in your community need something done - is there a youth group you could join and teach some skills to?

i know there are youth groups all over the country that need people to supervise, with skills.

why not do that for a while and it will also help get you out meeting people.

if you feel your mental health issues are recurring, go straight to your GP and find the proper support.

There's great advice here... get out and volunteer.... it will get you out of the house, have you meeting people and also making a difference. Other than that, it's amazing the things boredom make ya do. I've taken up cooking big time, am enrolling in a dressmaking class... I've even tried to write a bloody book a friend of mine just made an album:D . Find out what you like doing and just do it.

Wagon

ellie1 wrote: »

The worst thing to do is sit around and do nothing. This is what is making you depressed. Apply for all jobs. If you have a degree, look up your options for a masters.

He doesn't want to go back to college. I can't blame him, I despised studying and still do. He just wants to work.

OP, have you ever thought about travelling? Do you have any savings?

petethebrick

Either do a masters (now is the time to apply for starting in september) or go and work abroad for a year or two until things improve.
If you have a degree I say go and teach english in korea for a year. It's an easy job, you earn enough to save plenty (most jobs include a free apartment) and you'll have a great time partying and meeting people from all over the world.
Check out sites like www.eslcafe.com, www.englishspectrum.com
You don't need much cash to do it, and your flights will be paid for.
Then come home when the economy has picked up with a good lot of savings

Cuddlesworth

Wagon wrote: »

He doesn't want to go back to college. I can't blame him, I despised studying and still do. He just wants to work.

Job in IT is pointless then. If you want to go anywhere you have to study all the time.

LegacyUser

petethebrick wrote: »

Either do a masters (now is the time to apply for starting in september) or go and work abroad for a year or two until things improve.
If you have a degree I say go and teach english in korea for a year. It's an easy job, you earn enough to save plenty (most jobs include a free apartment) and you'll have a great time partying and meeting people from all over the world.
Check out sites like www.eslcafe.com, www.englishspectrum.com
You don't need much cash to do it, and your flights will be paid for.
Then come home when the economy has picked up with a good lot of savings

I agree with this guy, make the most of a bad situation and travel r go do ur masters, ur n a really good position ta do either! We all have ahrd times n jst have ta hope for fa best, I have more out goings than comin n at da moment with morgage n all da stuff dat ties ya down! So make da mst of it n travel r do a masters when ya still ya, wish i could....

ellie1

Wagon wrote: »

He doesn't want to go back to college. I can't blame him, I despised studying and still do. He just wants to work.

OP, have you ever thought about travelling? Do you have any savings?

I gathered he just wants to work just like the other 150000 plus on social welfare. I am suggesting he swallows his dislike of studying in order to get himself to a better position.

What if he cant get a job? Is it not better on a cv to show you are working towards something? Just suggesting the op explore all options....

Evil-p

I feel for you OP. My O/H is a tradesman and has been out of work for nearly 6 months and I really do understand how hard it is for you and all the other construction workers out there.

My feeling at the moment is any job is a good job so even if you get work in a call center (you are probably overqualified) it will give you a chance to socailise and look for more suitable work while your at it. Even consider doing a part time post grad in an area you are interested in while working. With your background in IT and construction I would advise you to investigate renewable energy courses and Environmental Health and Safety courses. These are all available part time and they are recession proof!

Also it may be worth ringing the type of company you would like to work for regardless of whether they are hiring or not, and speaking to someone in HR about what qualifications you would need to make you a desirable candidate to work in that company so when they do start hiring you are in with a chance.

You say you are in your mid-twenty's so you should look at this as an opportunity.....life never follows a straight line, there are lots of curves and twists and thats what makes it interesting.

You are vulnerable at the moment with a history of mental illness so mind yourself and watch for the triggers. Don't drink to much or smoke dope!

And smile, while you are alive there is always possibility and this will pass!

LegacyUser

thanks for the advice people.
I decided to keep lookin for a job even if its not in my area. If that fails after a while ill either go traveling or back to college lookin at the renewable energy sector.
I need to keep busy these days though iam looking into joining a new sport or mayby a new club have any of you guys got weblinks do different clubs i could try i have no idea whats out there, i have never joined any clubs before besides a football team so its all new to me. i figure if i keep busy it will keep my mind of things.
i think my main problem is most of my life workin kept me busy but now i need to find something new and fresh to focus on to fill the void.

sunnyside

hardworkindude wrote: »

, and in these times how do i compete again the guy with the new van and 20+ years experience.

By charging less than him.


If you were financially secure and didn't have to work/or you won the lotto what would you do with your time? See if you can incorporate any of this into your new found free time. Not everything costs a lot, learn a language, learn to cook, learn to play a musical instrument...

You have some of the house deposit. In the future you will get the house. I have the house and these days I wish I didn't own it. I would prefer to have the deposit back as a safety net than my present situation of living from payday to payday.