What jobs should I apply for (help appreciated)?

Donald_Darko

Hi,

Although I would class myself as a pretty intelligent person, I am completely unsure as to what career path to go down in life. I don’t have the most obvious skill-set in the world, but I do feel I should be doing better than I currently am.

First let me say, I am not a Leaving Cert student. I am in my mid-twenties. If I could rewind the clock, I may have studied something else in college, but as it is I am qualified with a BA in English and Philosophy, and a subsequent MA in another humanities discipline from a Dublin university. Since graduating, my employment record has been up and down.

I was lucky enough to get some work with a prominent weekly Irish newspaper after graduating. I researched a supplement that came out with an edition of said newspaper, and received a credit for it on the inside page, alongside some quite notable names in Irish cultural life. However, that was as far back as Autumn 2010. Since then, I have also written a couple of obituaries, the most recent of which was in December 2011.

Because my employment record was patchy (I worked in the service industry part-time to support myself in college, and continued this up until relatively recently) I was eligible for the JobBridge internship scheme, and that is what I’m currently doing. The money is very poor, and as I am not dependent on parents or anyone else, I struggle to make ends meet. Nonetheless, I feel this will be a valuable addition to my CV.

I am interning in a Dublin University, in a position which was advertised as ‘journalist’, with activities listed as – to cite the original advertisement - “sourcing, writing and proofing articles and developing case studies... S/he will liaise with designers and web developers; attend meetings and events; general administrative duties involved in research, setting up meetings, note taking and following-up on actions.”

I am doing all of this, though I do not believe there will be a job for me here when I complete the internship in August. I am unsure as to what kind of jobs to apply for.

Basically

- I’ve shown I can write, quite well, otherwise I would not have had work published with a strong weekly national newspaper.
- I can research.
- I have good IT skills. As well as typing 80 wpm, I can use Microsoft Office and Adobe Dreamweaver (a programme used to design and edit websites, although I use it to edit rather than design them).

I was thinking, a job as a press officer, or in that field, may suit, but I don’t really know how to get into that. I also thought maybe in communications (I am aware of how vague and flimsy that sounds).

I know there may not be many jobs for me in these fields in Ireland, but I would be willing to travel. However, I would not want to up sticks and move to the likes of Canada only to work in a minimum-wage service industry position.

I am in my mid-twenties now, and I need to start moving along a sensible career path, but, like many people I suppose, I just don’t know how to take those first few steps.

If anyone could suggest any jobs that they think might suit me, or websites to find such jobs, or any good feedback at all, it would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Sala

I can't really help you but thought I'd reply as I'm in a similar boat! I have a BA in English and Philosophy and an MA. I am working in a low admin type job. (I went down the Law route afterwards but that is not working out for me!)
At least your qualifications are relevant to what you have been doing. To be honest, if you want a "sensible" career path I don't think journalism is it. I know a freelance journalist who gets plenty of work but has to hold down other jobs just to get by. I think any type of publishing positions are like gold dust as well at moment.

With your skill set I would agree with communications as an area to consider: communications, PR, marketing etc.
I wouldn't worry about sounding vague and flimsy! The less specific you are the better I think as you can keep an open mind.

(And if I ever meet anyone considering studying English ad Philosophy I will shoot them!)

pog it

Have you considered finance, software development, or other areas? All of these are industries with jobs and opportunities and good careers for talented people and a degree in English will benefit you in all of these. But it's up to you and I definitely don't want to discourage you, esp when you've got off to a good start. Best of luck!