wasted education?

Cailino

I finished a degree in art and design a few years ago. I knew I didnt want to be a working artist, I dont have the outgoing/salesman personality for it. Since I specialised in Cermaics I had intended to get a job in a pottery studio but they were thin on the ground and I ended up working in an art shop. I got a bit dissillusioned that after four years in college the best I could do was retail so decided to go back to university to study Archaeology which was doing very well njobs wise then. Long story short Im now doing a masters in archaeology with the intention to go on to study ceramics analysis in England.

The thing is Im heamoraging money badly, all my savings are gone into this course and Im badly in debt, and this is before I even figure out where the cash for another course in England is going to come from.
With jobs in archaeology dried up now Im not even sure if its worth persueing it anymore. Its not exactly my passion.

I feel at this stage that Im quite well educated but still no where nearer to having a decent career. Im not even sure if theres anything Im particularly good that would be in demand in the jobs market regardless of the current economic situation.

I know college is the best place to be at the moment, better to be gaining skills while Im unemployed and all that Im just worried that Im working myself further and further into financial difficulties and Im not neccessarily going to benifit from it. Any advice on whether or not to pack in college or what might be a good route to take career wise?

The_Conductor

You are going to have to come to a decision as to whether you are seeking an education, or whether you are seeking to equip yourself for the jobs market- unfortunately, as you have already discovered, the two very often are entirely different things.

I can hand over heart say that few of my friends are employed in their area of specialisation, other than a few doctors and one solicitor (who emigrated and is specialising in environmental law). In most cases- people have migrated into jobs which they are reasonably satisfied to do (as opposed to being happy with), and equipped themselves to better do those jobs with on the job training, and various methods of personal development.

Your art degree and masters in archeology, could broadly be described as a 'classical education'- and used to be prized by many people over pursuing a particular profession.

Where do you see yourself working- and how do you propose to get there are two questions you need to ask yourself. I wouldn't see education- even education where you do not get to use the skills acquired, as a waste- you are proving yourself as someone who is open to training themselves- as opposed to someone pidgeon holing themselves in a particular discipline.

S.

Cailino

Thanks for the responce. Your right, the classical education though interesting isnt the best cash generator.

Obviously Id love to get into something to do with what Ive studied, or something involving outdoor work but Im happy to settle for something more modest. Ive spoken to careers councellors and came out none the wiser, and Ive had a look on job sites to see whats most in demand but I find them confusing, I dont even know what alot of the job titles mean, so would be completely out of my depth to apply for them.

This might sound very naive, but where do people find the jobs they end up staying in? Im at a loss as to where to start.

The_Conductor

Cailino wrote: »

This might sound very naive, but where do people find the jobs they end up staying in? Im at a loss as to where to start.

Its not naive. Normally it involves a lot of compromises. Very few people are lucky enough to work in their 'ideal' jobs. Most people accept a job that they don't hate- just to pay the mortgage, keep food on the table and the bills paid.

I had very rosy ideas about having a nice outdoor job once upon a time- and did my undergrad degree in forestry, as I thought it would be an excellent stepping stone towards fulfilling that dream. When I graduated I found I was overqualified for most jobs that were out there, and despite my willingness to take whatever was going- ended up in a callcentre for a few years, solely because of my language skills. I picked up IT skills there- and did a Grad Dip in IT in the evenings, along with professional exams- before moving into an admin role- because the flexitime and family friendly policies suited me at the time (though the paycut was harsh). Now- I'm just happy to have a job- and I live for my wife, and the weekends.

Sometimes I do sit back and say to myself- I've 30 years to go- then I'll buy a nice cottage, with a little apple orchard, somewhere with a nice climate, and have a happy, simple, carefree existence to live out my days. I don't think this is a reflection of acceptance- and by god its going to be some cottage- south of France or Portugal sounds good........ Until then- I have my 4 weeks holidays a year, my mortgage to pay off, and my wife who brings a smile to my face.

lostexpectation

no jobs in academia?

mikemac

No jobs in National Roads Authority?

For sure they employ archaeologists. Or at least have them on contract

AARRRGH

I'm confused.

You did an art degree but decided you don't want to work as an artist, and then went and did another degree in something you don't particularly care about?! Or is it just as masters you did after your degree...?

For a start, you need to stop wasting your time and money doing things you don't particularly care about.

What did you like doing as a teenager?
What do you currently like doing?

mark renton

Have you looked at teaching in the area you are skilled in?

artful_codger

smccarrick wrote: »

I've 30 years to go- then I'll buy a nice cottage, with a little apple orchard, somewhere with a nice climate, and have a happy, simple, carefree existence to live out my days.

you sound like Andy Dufraine and his dream about Zihuatanejo.

The_Conductor

artful_codger wrote: »

you sound like Andy Dufraine and his dream about Zihuatanejo.

Lol, I never thought of it that way. Our working life is a glorified prison I suppose- with its brief respites, and our hopefully long and happy twilight years doing the little things that mean the most to us.

I don't think anyone begrudged Andy Dufresne his hard won happiness- Mexico wouldn't be my destination of choice, but everyone has their own dream......

Our working life isn't a prison though- our frame of mind and how we deal with the situations and circumstances life deals with us- can be our own personalised prison. I genuinely feel sorry for those people who make work their entire life, I've a number of colleagues who passed away shortly after retiring- however I've a former manager who retired recently out painting the town red in Lisbon at the moment- I'm pleased for her.

Nolanger

Cailino wrote: »

didnt

Cailino wrote: »

dissillusioned

Cailino wrote: »

heamoraging

Cailino wrote: »

persueing

Learn to spell correctly - no-one will give you a job with such poor writing skills.

Cailino wrote: »

With jobs in archaeology dried up now Im not even sure if its worth persueing it anymore. Its not exactly my passion.

Why are you doing it then?

Cailino wrote: »

Any advice on whether or not to pack in college or what might be a good route to take career wise?

Stay in college and become a lecturer - you won't hack it in the real world.

eth0_

Nolanger banned for a week for being, tbh, a bit of a prick towards the OP.