What to do after college?

Mrs Garth Brooks

I'l be finished college in may and dont know what il do after. I had to move four hours on the bus from home to do the course.

My problem I love the city I moved to and I would love to stay. I'd like to find work here but if I dont il be on the dole. I could probably do a few days a week in some place in the hope of getting work, but just how long do I stick that out and possibly without pay.

Another thing is friends on the course has already said they're going travelling or moving home. So il know very few people and without college to go back to in september, il be on my own.

Or do I move home. When I say move home, I mean probably a house share where im from. But it'll be much the same as everyone I know has moved abroad. But I wont be four hours away from family.

Or do I stick it out here for the summer, at least if I fail exams and have to repeat a year, il be in the right place.

Or if I get work somewhere else in ireland, it'll save the hassle of moving twice, moving home and where ever after that.

Do I stay or go home?

Stavro Mueller

Have you talked to the careers adviser in your college? See what jobs are going? What likelihood you have of getting a job here in Ireland. If I was in your shoes and didn't want to go travelling or do another course, I'd be prioritising getting a job. Forget what your friends are doing. Look after Number One.

Going home to sit on your arse on the dole isn't going to do you one bit of good when it comes to jobhunting. I moved to a different part of the country for a job and it was one of the better things I've done. Get yourself into a nice houseshare, get involved in something locally and you've got the beginnings of a new social circle. Every large town in Ireland has blow-ins.

Are you willing to go abroad to find work? Or to have a working holiday? Again, that'd be a proactive thing to do.

peter barrins

This post has been deleted.

Wompa1

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

I'l be finished college in may and dont know what il do after. I had to move four hours on the bus from home to do the course.

My problem I love the city I moved to and I would love to stay. I'd like to find work here but if I dont il be on the dole. I could probably do a few days a week in some place in the hope of getting work, but just how long do I stick that out and possibly without pay.

Another thing is friends on the course has already said they're going travelling or moving home. So il know very few people and without college to go back to in september, il be on my own.

Or do I move home. When I say move home, I mean probably a house share where im from. But it'll be much the same as everyone I know has moved abroad. But I wont be four hours away from family.

Or do I stick it out here for the summer, at least if I fail exams and have to repeat a year, il be in the right place.

Or if I get work somewhere else in ireland, it'll save the hassle of moving twice, moving home and where ever after that.

Do I stay or go home?

I can kind of sympathize with your situation as I'm about to move abroad alone to a place 10k miles away. It's very scary to be alone. But even now, I'm in Galway but most of my friends have left so no matter what I do, I'm alone pretty much. I decided to move while I'm still youngish, I had a great job here but am getting a better one abroad, maybe you should focus on what's best for your long term future

saa

Forget about being where your friends/family are, you're in a transitional period of your life this is about you figuring out where you can find work and settle rather than where nearest to people you know that you can settle.

What area are you studying, where are the jobs, what alternative work can you find, make a dole budget because at some stage you probably will need it as a stop gap

Siuin

OP, you've known that you will be graduating at this time since the day you started the course- have you not made any plans whatsoever regarding your future? I don't mean to sound judgemental, but I find it slightly bizarre that you're only considering this all a week before you finish. The fact that you've looked for a job is promising, but surely you could have found at least something to tie you over for the summer (it won't be your dream job, and might even be something completely unrelated to your area of study, but it'll be a job). It sounds like you aren't keen on going back to your family, which is understandable, but do you have an option financially?

Nokia08

Siuin wrote: »

OP, you've known that you will be graduating at this time since the day you started the course- have you not made any plans whatsoever regarding your future? I don't mean to sound judgemental, but I find it slightly bizarre that you're only considering this all a week before you finish. The fact that you've looked for a job is promising, but surely you could have found at least something to tie you over for the summer (it won't be your dream job, and might even be something completely unrelated to your area of study, but it'll be a job). It sounds like you aren't keen on going back to your family, which is understandable, but do you have an option financially?

Lol that was posted 3months

Siuin

Nokia08 wrote: »

Lol that was posted 3months

Oops! XD Sorry! They posted it again recently and the mod redirected it to here! Soooo at least they must still have the same problem! :P

Stavro Mueller

saa wrote: »

Forget about being where your friends/family are, you're in a transitional period of your life this is about you figuring out where you can find work and settle rather than where nearest to people you know that you can settle.

What saa said originally still stands. I get the impression that you're the one who's standing still, wanting life to continue as it has been while your friends have all moved on. You seem to have limited yourself down to two scenarios. Either going back towards home or staying where you are. Is there any particular reason why you're not prepared to move elsewhere for a job? Don't let the fear of the unfamiliar and of having to move on your own to somewhere different hold you back.

Mrs Garth Brooks

cymbaline wrote: »

What saa said originally still stands. I get the impression that you're the one who's standing still, wanting life to continue as it has been while your friends have all moved on. You seem to have limited yourself down to two scenarios. Either going back towards home or staying where you are. Is there any particular reason why you're not prepared to move elsewhere for a job? Don't let the fear of the unfamiliar and of having to move on your own to somewhere different hold you back.

I need a job to move, don't i? I have been applying, and applying all over the country. So i am not afraid. But just so afraid of waiting months without getting work.

Stavro Mueller

Perhaps then you need to move abroad. It might not be what you want but isn't it better than sitting here on the dole? You can always come back at a later stage.

Siuin

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

I need a job to move, don't i? I have been applying, and applying all over the country. So i am not afraid. But just so afraid of waiting months without getting work.

Have you been applying for *everything* though? I'm not finished my degree and don't have any formal work experience, but it was possible for me to get an aupairing job this summer which will put a roof over my head, provide all my meals and pay me 100e per week-- there's work out there, you just need to not limit yourself to anything in specific. Also, use any connections you can-- throwing CVs in people's doors and sending emails just doesn't cut it anymore.

Mrs Garth Brooks

cymbaline wrote: »

Perhaps then you need to move abroad. It might not be what you want but isn't it better than sitting here on the dole? You can always come back at a later stage.

This is a very good idea. But because i am so afraid of moving abroad, my number one choice is ireland, number two is the uk and after that i don't dont know.

But i have to try and at least find work here first before considering moving. I am also looking at UK job sites also for suitable work. Right now those are two places i am even considering.

As for moving further, where do you think i will get the money? I just finished college, and don't have a stash of cash. I threw my cv into every possible shop. Please don't suggest restaurants or bars or im being stuck up not taking any job. I get migraines from very strong smells including onions. That is something i will come across every day in a restaurant. And i can't stand the smell of drink.

Procrastastudy

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

I threw my cv into every possible shop

Very little point in doing that. Retail managers can spot people just looking for something to tide them over a mile away and there are people like me with 15 years experience competing for the same jobs!

What it is worth doing though is volunteering and doing internships in your field. What is it if I may ask?

Siuin

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

As for moving further, where do you think i will get the money? I just finished college, and don't have a stash of cash. I threw my cv into every possible shop. Please don't suggest restaurants or bars or im being stuck up not taking any job. I get migraines from very strong smells including onions. That is something i will come across every day in a restaurant. And i can't stand the smell of drink.

To be blunt: this is not good enough. I know many, many people who threw CVs into all kinds of places and received no response. You're a recent graduate and to be frank you're not in a position to be picky. You need to ask for the manager, introduce yourself, tell them why you would be suited to the job-- a faceless CV will get you nowhere unless you're exceptional. If you're worried about having somewhere to stay, have you thought about becoming an aupair? I joined a bunch of aupairing recruitment sites (for free) and received a few job offers. There's work out there.

Mrs Garth Brooks

Siuin wrote: »

To be blunt: this is not good enough. I know many, many people who threw CVs into all kinds of places and received no response. You're a recent graduate and to be frank you're not in a position to be picky. You need to ask for the manager, introduce yourself, tell them why you would be suited to the job-- a faceless CV will get you nowhere unless you're exceptional. If you're worried about having somewhere to stay, have you thought about becoming an aupair? I joined a bunch of aupairing recruitment sites (for free) and received a few job offers. There's work out there.

Asked for managers last year, didn't do much. I don't like children, so no aupairing. So what else can i do? I would even clean if i got some work, so i am not being picky.

Siuin

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

Asked for managers last year, didn't do much. I don't like children, so no aupairing. So what else can i do? I would even clean if i got some work, so i am not being picky.

There are cleaning jobs out there too- I also looked down that route.

I personally think that aupairing is a very easy deal (especially if the kids are older, you get a lot of time to yourself) and the fact that you have free food and accommodation is a huge plus but it you really don't like kids, then...

At this stage, I don't think you have the luxury to decide whether or not you will live at home.

Mrs Garth Brooks

Au pair work is like babysitting. Im 29 years old and too old to be babysitting. I dont like children and cant stand them. Its not what i went to college for.

Surely i should be applying for any work within my capabilities. I dont like children, how will that help? I get sick with migraines from strong smells, including onions, lets get a restaurant job?

Im on the fas website every day. I used to look at jobs i think i would be able to do, now i send off the cv for the fun of it. Surely something has to come up?

Im open to suggestions but i dont like people telling me im being picky.

Siuin

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

Au pair work is like babysitting. Im 29 years old and too old to be babysitting. I dont like children and cant stand them. Its not what i went to college for.

Surely i should be applying for any work within my capabilities. I dont like children, how will that help? I get sick with migraines from strong smells, including onions, lets get a restaurant job?

Im on the fas website every day. I used to look at jobs i think i would be able to do, now i send off the cv for the fun of it. Surely something has to come up?

Im open to suggestions but i dont like people telling me im being picky.

The fact is: you're unemployed. There is no room to rule out certain careers, no matter how old or educated you are. A job is a job and money is money regardless of where it's coming from. I understand that your situation is not ideal, but I do think that it is important (if anything for your own sanity) that you do something productive with your time- even if it is not your 'ideal' job or in any way related to your course. Do you think I want to babysit for the rest of my life? Do you think I went to college in order to cruise around the neighbourhood with a buggy? Hell no, but in this economic climate there's no room for people thinking they're above certain roles. As fair as I'm concerned, I have money rolling in, a roof over my head and food on the table.

Your current method of sending CVs off to randomers is not working. Tailor your CV to the particular job you are applying to. Contact a recruitment agency. Expand the field to which you are setting your sights on. Get in touch with relatives, neighbours, friends, classmates etc and ask for advice and try to get contacts.

ordinary_girl

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

Surely i should be applying for any work within my capabilities. I dont like children, how will that help? I get sick with migraines from strong smells, including onions, lets get a restaurant job?

When I was unemployed a few years ago and I started applying for jobs for about a month or so I was picky, until the desperation to get work caused me to apply for absolutely everywhere, I couldn't afford to be picky. Perhaps you haven't reached that stage yet? I understand the points that you're making, but if you really do need money and want a job you'll find a way around it.

MissFlitworth

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

I used to look at jobs i think i would be able to do, now i send off the cv for the fun of it. Surely something has to come up?

Not if you're just firing your cv off to random jobs that you may or may not be suited to. Speaking as someone who occasionally has to deal with cvs, job applications from people who clearly haven't read the job description and are just firing them off in a scatter-gun approach generally go on my PFO pile unless they're genuinely suited for the job.

If you have professional level skills from your course it might be best to get off the Fas website and start checking jobs.ie, putting you cv on monster, taking actual care with your job application & making sure you're not letting a 'sure I might as well apply for everything' attitude come across.

LegacyUser

I agree with Siuin here. There is work out there but you need to take a very proactive approach in applying for jobs. You need to consider areas outside from what you are gradrating in. So far I read excuse after excuse for many different areas. That's not good enough if you are serious about work. You say you get migraines from certain smells so restaurant work is out. Does it stop you from eating out though?

What about hotel work?
Factory work?

I read your other thread about what to do regarding staying put or moving home. Frankly IMO moving home is a step backwards and in the wrong direction because as you say you are unhappy there. I also sensed that you have an idea of moving home to fill a type of lonliness with your college friends moving away. I lived on my own in a city where I knew very little people and those that I knew had their own things to do. I was on my own. But I was never lonely. I enjoyed my own company. I kept busy and got out every day for a walk, to the library, museum and one of my favourites to getting out to sample foods from different restaurants and establishments. I went to gigs on my own too.

By the looks of it you are making excuses left, right and centre for all the paths open to you at this moment in time - for work and for where you want to live.