Am I f***ed?

Duggy747

So, here's my situation:

I have an Ord. degree in Systems & Networking. I have been working in IT for 2 years until I was made redundant in August 2008. Since then I haven't been able to secure any sort of a job in IT in the likes of Galway city, Sligo, anywhere in the west of Ireland due to the fact that they require a certain amount of years experience or that I live in a town in Roscommon and interviewers are weary of how I would manage work.

I have lost many job oppertunities due to the fact that I live in this town despite the fact that I tell them I would have no problem finding a place and moving immediately.

So, earlier this year I got sick of it and made an effort to move to Galway city. Problem was, though, was that I wouldn't be allowed any type of support (rent, dole, maintenance grant, etc) unless I joined a course. I am over-qualified for the Fàs courses in IT so that idea was cut short and I was forced to stay in my town until I could apply for a FETAC course.

The FETAC course is Media Production in Video technology which, besides IT, is the only other thing I'm good at, have experience working in, and hold previous FETAC awards in Radio & Sound Engineering. But, I can't apply for any type of support due to the fact I have a 3rd level degree which in turn I can't get a job with.

My last hope was to get the Back To Education scheme but today as I handed it in I was told I won't be getting a cent, again due to me having a degree.

For months I've been to Fàs offices, Socail welfare offices, VECs, VTOS, and nobody can give me any help that can actually benefit me.

It sickens me to the core to see other people I know who have been on the dole for years, haven't worked a day in their lives and then get every grant and cheque for €700 to get them started in college, all because the brave little souls are making an effort!

What in fùcks name can I do!?! Any help would HUGELY appreciated as I'm now losing my fùckin' mind!!!

A random thought (hopefully helpful) - you have been looking at FETAC courses, have you considered applying for a postgraduate course? I don't know about BTEA for postgrad but I know you can apply for a grant for it. While a lot of them look for honours degrees I know of a few people who were offered a course based on their experiences. Granted this is Engineering though, but there may be something out there. Perhaps it's worth considering?

Duggy747

Thanks for the reply!

I had considered doing a postgrad but it definitely couldn't have happened this year because of some of the cost of going to college. That and I am sick to death of IT, I've spent the last 6 years in it only to made redundant and find it next to impossible to get a job in the sector now. Plus you have to be 24 to apply for a postgrad with the Back To Education scheme, which I won't be until next month.

Considering Media was always my hobby and was something I was always going to return to, I thought because of the situation I've been in in the last year that this term would be my best time, but now I think I was very wrong.

I'm completely lost on what to do now. I'm finished with IT but I'm been pretty much told that's my tough luck! Instead of giving me money to help me through college they'd rather I stay on the dole and do nothing!!

I wish I was foreign or a lazy shìt.

dotsflan

hey duggy, im in the same boat as you except i havent got a degree!! was made redundant in april havent had a sniff of work since so want to go to college but when i applied for BTEA i was basicly told to f**k off! It pisses me off seeing people who have never contributed anything to the state and getting a free ride through college:mad:

SuperTyper

Hi there, what about VTOS (http://vtos.ie/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=27). I wasnt eligible for BTEA as I already hold a diploma in legal studies (recently upgraded to Ordinary Degree) but I do qualify for VTOS through Crumlin College where I am doing my PLC course next month. I'm unemployed since January 08.

RealistSpy

Duggy747 wrote: »

I wish I was foreign or a lazy shìt.

What is it suppose to mean? Do you think foreign people get jobs easly aswell? You should be happy with what you have mate and be careful what you wish for mate.

Anyways yeh the psotgrad seems like a great idea as the other lad was saying well its better than doing a fetac course. Are you doing it so you get so called free money from the goverment?

RealistSpy

dotsflan wrote: »

It pisses me off seeing people who have never contributed anything to the state and getting a free ride through college:mad:

People like EU? EU students gets grant fare share in EU right?
Non - Eu ? Fork out 8grand plus is that free ride?

why don't you take a year out and go on the dole you will get btea the following year.

Duggy747

What is it suppose to mean? Do you think foreign people get jobs easly aswell? You should be happy with what you have mate and be careful what you wish for mate.

Anyways yeh the psotgrad seems like a great idea as the other lad was saying well its better than doing a fetac course. Are you doing it so you get so called free money from the goverment?

Listen, mate, don't reply to this thread if you're not going to offer any helpful advice! And I'm doing this course because it's something I madly interested in and best suits my situation at the moment. I'm not made of money where I can afford moving to a city and put myself through college for another 3 years out of my own pocket again!

Anywho, I rang the Social Welfare office in Sligo and told them my situation and they said I should write a letter stating my case and throw it into my local office. I'll try that, then I'll have to get onto the local facilitator as well as a local TD who lives outside my town and deals with things like this.

Hopefully sometime this week I should know my situation.

RealistSpy

good luck with that attitude. Your not the only one in this boat. All am just saying is fair is fair.

the_dark_side

Start up a small enterprise, call it 'Easy PC' or something like that, 'your local 23 hour PC repair and trouble shooting service'. Cover the Roscommon area, advertise to schools, get a magnetic plate with your logo for the side of your car.... you'll be surprised at how busy you'll get.... beats sitting around waiting for someone to offer you a job

Duggy747

Lol, great minds think alike.

I don't drive at the moment (Theory test tomorrow) but I've been the tech-head around my town for the past year. It has been crazy how business is actually out there and how much people are willing to fork out for tiny problems.

So, got chatting to a few people and yea, I am fùcked. I have no possible way of getting any form of support due to the 3rd level degree.

I'm now balancing on the thought of whether to give up moving to Galway or just go for it and hope I'll find a part-time job down the line to keep my head above water.

Cheers for the replies, guys.

nofi

Have you looked at funded PHDs? Galway have some , you get paid and your fees are free, eg.FI-funded PhD Studentship at the Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI), NUI Galway.Closing date Sept 15. http://www.nuigalway.ie/careers/students/funding_research.html