Looking For Work - No Leaving Cert

Bonesy.

I'm a 17 year old with only my junior cert, I left school after severe bullying over my sexuality, I've been informed I have to move out in the next few months and I'm starting to worry about my future..ALOT. I've been very depressed lately at the thoughts of ending up homeless, a junkie or worse, I can't see a good future at all and it has me all over the place.

So please would a few of you nice Boardsies take the time to help me out here with some career advice wether it long or short term. An ideal career would be something in the media. And before anyone reccomends a FAS course I dabbled down that route and the cards are against me there also.

Any response/tips will be greatly appreciated! I'm not exaggerating any of this I truely am up **** creek without a paddle.

jim.d.os

I was randomly browsing boards, saw this and created an account to reply (I had sorta planned on creating one for a while anyway). First thing you need to realise is that you won't end up a junkie simply for the fact that you're so worried about your future thus means you won't allow it to go down a wrong path.

To be honest at only 17 years of age you will need a leaving cert, this doesn't mean the end of the world though. My recommendation is to go get a leaving cert in a local college of further education; I don't know where you're based, but there is plenty in Dublin! While you're studying you can look up courses you would like at third level institutions. If you're interested in media, then IADT in Dun Laoghaire would be a good place to think about. There are plenty of grants you can get if you're stuck for cash and your fees will be paid for by your county council.

The one thing you need to do now is calm down, relax and realise you're only 17 with plenty of time to figure it all out. The fact that you're so worried shows ambition alone, I can't see you becoming a junkie or homeless at all, just don't let yourself down that path. Keep your spirits high lad and don't let people put you down. What you want to do isn't the most unrealistic task, you will get a steady job, so mark my words: you are NOT '**** up a creek without a paddle'.

Mr. Loverman

You are still very young so you have time to get your Leaving Cert.

The world has changed. You are at a disadvantage if you don't have a degree, never mind not having a Leaving Cert.

Why do you have to move out soon?

Is there an understanding relative who could help you?

mawk

May I ask why the fas course was problematic? The course itself or the people on it?

In any case, the first thing to do is not stress out and waste all your time and energy panicking. **** creek perhaps but hardly without a paddle.
No paddle would imply that you are totally cut off from information, social support, accommodation assistance and unemployment&education allowances.
Being that you are in Ireland.. These things are all available to you as soon as you need them. We have one hell of a safety net that people forget.

Call up the commercial colleges and ask to speak about leaving cert options. They have professionals who are paid to talk to you. Education truely is the single most important factor in the success of your life. It is hard, expensive and often not immediately beneficial but it does and will improve your life.

If also like to posit some questions that you don't need to answer here but might be worth thinking about to yourself:

Do you actually have a CV to apply for work?
Does your appearance or attitude push away people with different opinions as a method of self defense?
Are you willing to compromise/delay your dreams to live within your means?
Can you reconcile with your family by conceding some of their ideals?

JustAThought

I'm sorry to hear that you were bullied at school - there are supports out there for helping to deal with it, also there are Obligations on all schools to put policies in place to help you within your own old school.

Regardless of what people say you will be at a disadvantage your while life unless you are extremely lucky or have someone who can help you with a job at this stage without a leaving cert. people with leaving Certs cannot find work , people with degrees cannot find work, and these are the people you will be competing with for lowly paid work or for promotions - for the rest of your life - not to mention when you try to gather the educational proofs and credits that you need to gain entry to Australia, Canada or the States...which with no education won't realistically be an option for you either.

Dismissing all FAS courses isn't something you can afford to do - your circumstances are what they were originally set up specifically for , and who they cater for.

I'm sorry the situation at home is so bad, but have you considered that your folks may have decided that their best way to help you is to show you how tough it will be in the " real" world with no income, no education, no easy ride & effectively the lifestyle you will have without being able to earn and pay your way . I'm sure they love you and want what is best for you, and dont want to see you living in a hostel or sleeping rough/begging to survive.

There is no reason to believe that overnight you will become a junkie/ bum ; but the statistics show that those who leave school without a leaving cert or with little or no education are the ones that will typically consistently struggle with poverty all their lives . My guess is, that if you are a guy, it will be even worse for you.

Because you were bullied in one school and it was managed badly or the school wasn't informed properly and appropriate help and support given, it should not mean that you choose to leave the entire educational system. I have every hope that your parents would not ask you to leave if you were enrolled in school or had plans to continue to contribute in a meaningful way to building your future and your life. 16 or 17 is too young to throw it away forever and you can still fix this NOW. It's barely 3 months into term. Talk to your old school about the reasons yiu left. Or write to the principle and put it on writing and ask him/her to help. If that won't work for you Find a school and enrol in it.
You still have a very good and real chance to fix this for yourself. Don't let it drift or leave it til September , if needs be you can always cram at weekends or do a grind or extra online study to catch up with the parts you have missed in the 2 months since the school was actually open for class outside of holidays since september.
You are right in thinking that you will be a long time regretting letting it slide .

Mrs OBumble

OP, you are 17 years old, but yet:

18 months ago you wanted to convert the attic in your council house: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=78206905

Over two years ago (when you would only have been 15?) you were looking to buy a car to do up, and asking about driving it across the country yourself: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=73968922


I'm kinda thinking that something in this thread doesn't add up. Closing it, so that more people don't waste time feeding a troll.


Feel free to PM me with an explanation if I've come to the wrong conclusion.