So Confused! Why does it have to be so hard?

LegacyUser

Right so, Im not sure if this is the right place for this, but felt it was too personal for Work&Jobs...

I basically need some advice/thoughts on what to do with my life... I've been stuck on the dole since I graduated a year ago and its driving me insane. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place... to go back to college, to get a Masters in my profession will cost me 5 grand, but I can't get a job in my field because of the sh1t economy. However, its also unbelievably hard to get a job outside of my field because I lack experience in other sectors, or I'm too 'educated' (not my words, I was told this by a FAS career guidance counsellor i.e. the fact I already have a Masters puts off employers in the retail/fast food industries, etc).

another option is to go for an internship through Jobbridge... but I hate the thought of basically being on the dole for another 9 monthes, especially as Im living out of my parents' home. I already did a work placement, and though it was good experience, its just hard to work full-time and live on the dole...

Im really getting down about this, its all I think and worry about. I've started not being able to sleep at night and just being miserable in general. If I get really anxious about it, I can feel myself not being able to breathe properly... it's just hell and not where I thought I'd be at this age (22.)

So if anyone has any good advice, I'm all ears! Especially if anybody is an employer or in HR, what would look better on a CV to them- unpaid work in a relevant job (an internship) or a job un-related to the field but was a 'real', paid job, if you know what I mean.


Cheers guys.

Namle

In your place I'd take the internship. It gives you experience in the industry you want to work in and any employer would see that as an advantage over someone with no experience. It is amazing how many interns get kept on or get a lucky break.

Also for your own sanity and dignity you'll be gettin up, leaving the house and interacting with other people.

Best of luck.

shellyboo

Related unpaid work always, always, always looks better than random paid jobs. Not only does it show you have experience within the industry, but it also shows you have enough passion for your career to work for it without pay. I would, however, steer clear of Jobsbridge... try for companies that have a long history of internships, TRUE internships -- not positions that used to be full-time paid jobs before times got tough. Apply to companies you'd like to work for in the future, with your CV and a great cover letter. Follow up with phone calls a week later and MAKE SURE you're sending/talking to the right person, not a PA or intermediary.

HOS 1997

Have you thought of looking for work outside of Ireland?

Dostoevsky

DaddysSoulDonut wrote: »

Right so, Im not sure if this is the right place for this, but felt it was too personal for Work&Jobs...

I basically need some advice/thoughts on what to do with my life... I've been stuck on the dole since I graduated a year ago and its driving me insane. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place... to go back to college, to get a Masters in my profession will cost me 5 grand, but I can't get a job in my field because of the sh1t economy. However, its also unbelievably hard to get a job outside of my field because I lack experience in other sectors, or I'm too 'educated' (not my words, I was told this by a FAS career guidance counsellor i.e. the fact I already have a Masters puts off employers in the retail/fast food industries, etc).

another option is to go for an internship through Jobbridge... but I hate the thought of basically being on the dole for another 9 monthes, especially as Im living out of my parents' home. I already did a work placement, and though it was good experience, its just hard to work full-time and live on the dole...

Im really getting down about this, its all I think and worry about. I've started not being able to sleep at night and just being miserable in general. If I get really anxious about it, I can feel myself not being able to breathe properly... it's just hell and not where I thought I'd be at this age (22.)

So if anyone has any good advice, I'm all ears! Especially if anybody is an employer or in HR, what would look better on a CV to them- unpaid work in a relevant job (an internship) or a job un-related to the field but was a 'real', paid job, if you know what I mean.


Cheers guys.

Hang on in there. I left college in summer 2010 owing about €26,000. By November 2010 my despair led me to take up one of those WPP1 (graduate) positions (decision explained here). I used it to gain experience in a related area and to make contacts there. While doing this, I applied for jobs all the time, and the person for whom I worked in the WPP1 encouraged me and the other guy there to apply. We were given time off when we had interviews. Within a month both of us had got paying jobs. To be honest, I got more from the WPP1 than the employer did. My debts have been knocked down to €10,000 now and I do feel much freer. My point about the debts is this: all of my debts were as a result of going to college and I was overwhelmed by them a year ago; however, once I started being paid for working I made great inroads on them very quickly - it was worth getting a loan to pay for a college course.

It is, as you know, very tough out here. Even though I have a Level 10 qualification (i.e. doctorate) I am back in college at night doing another degree, while working during the day. It's unbelievably tough on the energy levels and you do get sick of every single weekend being used up by your coursework. But, having been unemployed I'd rather be overworked than underworked. Nevertheless, if I were in your situation I would without hesitation invest in a course which will improve my job prospects. I would invest in that now, when you aren't working as it's far tougher to balance both. I can't emphasise that enough. Having a focus, any focus, will also be better for your mental health. Human beings like, and need, structure in their lives. They need goals and they need a sense of progression and momentum. If they don't have that they'll drift and feel down after a while.

I know my local credit union was offering education loans at a 6% interest rate last September. That's a great rate. Even though I had no income they gave me a €6000 loan for the last course I did in 2009-2010. From that course I was able to eventually get my current job and in the first 8 weeks of working I had paid it all back. It was a huge loan at the time, but it was an excellent investment. Check out the jobs market for the course you're thinking about and if that qualification will make a difference it could very well be worth your while getting a loan. Basically, do something productive with your time now or things will get harder. I'd love to be able to give up this job now and just focus on my qualification and get it under my belt because the pressure of work and study is very challenging. You have opportunities and pluses in your current position that you could be exploiting. Exploit them and things will get better.

qwertytlk

An internship would look good as it shows commitment and determination on your part (to work in a job you love/get experience for no wage)

however of you want to go down the route of getting an unrelated job to tide you over until something that suits your qualifications comes up, then do as it also looks good, that your willing to take any job rather than be unemployed / on the dole. So whatever suits you best, then do it... As for what fas said about your qualifications putting off prospective employers in standard jobs like retail, well then why not just remove your masters from your cv when applying for such jobs? I.e. Slightly change your cv to suit the type of job for which your applying.
Anyway good uckj and i hope you get your dream job (or any job) soon:)

Loudova

Hi OP, I'd like to second all the posters advising you to do an internship (albeit not the Jobbridge variety). I was in exactly the same position as you two years ago and I opted to do an unpaid internship for six months in my field and it was the best thing I ever did - I now have a paid job, which I love. So, my advice to you is this...

Firstly, keep reminding yourself that you have a lot to offer and try not to take any rejections personally.

Secondly, there are a lot of internships out there, but the key is for you to be persistent and selective. If you are going to do an unpaid internship, you need to make sure it is worthwhile. Ideally, it should have a meaningful terms of reference; it would also be a bonus if your internship included training of some kind.

Thirdly, be realistic about what you are hoping to get out of an unpaid internship. It depends on your profession, of course, but many people find that it is a foot in the door and once you're there, you can prove yourself and hopefully the organisation will find a way to keep you on in a more formal capacity (providing you're happy and want to stay, that is!). Worst case scenario, you have relevant experience on your CV, you get good references and make some industry contacts who could potentially point you in the direction of future paid jobs. Overall, I think an internship would be worth it. Just remember that it is a two-way street: they're getting free labour from you, so you should be getting something from them in return, be it on-the-job coaching, career advice, etc.

Apologies, that was longer than I intended Go forth and apply OP! Good luck!