So Frustrated

LegacyUser

I'm writing this out of pure frustration. I finished a MA in 2014 and am seriously struggling to find work. My MA is an Arts subject, one that I am really passionate about. To pursue a career with my subject, I'd need to do a PhD and I don't have the money for that. I really want to work and I need to make money. I've been applying for graduate roles, and am making no progress. I suspect I'd have a better chance if I had a background in business, IT or science. I've always been a very motivated person, and I just feel so lost. I feel so embarrassed and ashamed that I'm unemployed. My savings are practically gone and I can't go on like this. I can't wait indefinitely for work and I just don't know what to do. I always believed working hard at college would get me a job, and now all the rejection is really taking its toll. I have no fight left in me. This time last year I had hope for my future, and now I just feel so stuck and worthless. I feel like such a failure for doing so well academically and not working. I don't know what I'm looking for from this post, but I just needed to get everything out. Thanks for reading.

dory

It's hard to give advice without knowing what you've tried; internships, working abroad, voluntary work. Have you any experience? What is your field? Are you able to travel abroad to get experience?

If I were in your shoes I'd go to a career guidance person and talk about options. Then I'd find some way to get experience. Even if it involves unpaid internships. Good luck.

Ande1975

Hi OP,

I was where you were nearly 20 years ago. I started out in a PhD program in an Arts subject I loved. However, like you I couldn't afford to continue in the program and I graduated with a Masters.
I ended up studying IT for a year and I've worked in that industry ever since.
What surprised me was the multitude of avenues open to me once I got my first job.
I couldn't write a line of code to save my life but I've learned lots of skills and had lots of opportunities that I wouldn't have had if I had continued in the area I was in.
Now I am not saying what's right for me is right for you but I was able to visit places that interested me when I was studying so I still continue to learn and read.
Talk to your friends, family or as the previous poster suggested a career counselor or life coach to help you.
Best of luck

jon1981

I don't mean to be blunt or rude, but what is arts? What skills have you learned and what industry are trying to work in? To me, Arts means nothing by itself. What career/job do you hope to get? Providing this information will improve the advice you get here.

Perhaps pegging on a postgrad in IT/Business or other will make you stand out. Look at where the momentum is for jobs now, look where it will be in 5, 10 years that should be considered in your career choice too.

thegreatgonzo

jon1981 wrote: »

I don't mean to be blunt or rude, but what is arts? What skills have you learned and what industry are trying to work in? To me, Arts means nothing by itself. .

The OP said it was an MA in an Arts subject, not an MA in Arts.

OP are you applying for graduate roles only or pretty much everything?

LegacyUser

Op, I fully understand where you're coming from and could've written the same post a while back.

I graduated from an MA in an Arts subject in 2015 and like you, I thought all of the hard work and academic achievements would serve me very well. However, I found myself unemployed and once all of my savings dried up, I had to go to social welfare which has been very difficult for me. I felt increasingly unhappy and frustrated with how life panned out.

I'd continue trying to find jobs that interest you, but as other posters have mentioned, it's worth looking at your transferable skills to see what doors are open to you. Studying an Arts subject has myriad benefits, critical thinking being one of the most beneficial and that's something employers really look for.

Would you consider going to the UK? Or further afield? If you could get into an organisation that appreciates the importance of training and education, you might find that they'd partially fund a PhD programme down the line.

Also, is pursuing a PhD on a part-time basis an option? Yes, it takes longer but if that's something that you're passionate about, it might be worth looking at your options. I'm embarking on a PhD in September, although not in Ireland, but there's numerous funding sources available so it's worth sitting down and researching what's available to you in your particular subject area. Depending on your project, there's additional funding available from external bodies. I have friends doing PhDs in Ireland at the moment - I know funding is very tight but those who haven't secured decent scholarships are still managing to get by doing work within the departments in which they're researching.

Personally, I've had to change my attitude regarding my situation as I was becoming too negative. I'm still job hunting as I desperately want to work between now and September, but in the meantime I'm keeping myself busy with different projects and creative pursuits.

I empathise with your situation and I really hope things turn around for you soon.