Feeling down about having a masters and no job in sight

LegacyUser

Basically earlier today I graduated from my masters, which I finished my thesis for in August, and since then I haven't had any luck with getting accepted to a job. I've gone for interviews but they haven't been successful.

My job coach told me a lot of institutions are doing their end of year reports so most won't be hiring as much staff now. Although I still feel bad every day when I doss off and don't apply for jobs as much. I am volunteering every wednesday in my field of credentials (library work) and while I enjoy it I would still love to be doing something more substantial that I can use to give my girlfriend security.

I have Asperger Syndrome and I have signed up with an organization that are helping me because they do workshops, and I have a mock interview session coming up on Thursday. I don't know, I get some people might look at me and think I'm doing a lot but the fact I haven't got a job yet and all my other friends and girlfriend are working does get me down
sometimes.

I used to have a great social life in college, I have no social life now other than my girlfriend, so I get lonely when I'm not with her and even then she is getting worried for my sake.

Hope some people here can help. I have never had a non-voluntary job other than working in my aunt's shop for 2 years so things are difficult beyond belief.

Airyfairy12

Unfortunately most people have a third level education these days so it doesnt mean as much as it did years ago, theres thousands of unemployed graduates in Ireland, you should count yourself lucky that you got a masters so young, allot of people have to work and save for years or take out massive loans to be able to afford to progress in their education.

Getting a job in Ireland is really all about being connected to the right people, Ive got a qualification in a particular area along with a degree, 8 years volunteer work and teaching experience, my friend doesnt have anything, no volunteer experience, no further education qualifications, she worked in a takeaway 6 years ago and hasnt been employed since..we both applied to the same job, a job im qualified to do but she got the job over me because someone close to her knows the manager very well. My friend was let go within 8 months for being argumentative and for not being very good at the job, I never got so much as an interview despite being qualified, experienced and passionate about the work. Ive lost count of the amount of people I know who've gotten jobs or interviews through family members and close friends that knew the owner. This goes for everything, from cafe, shop, bar work right up to jobs needing qualifications.

Id keep working in your aunt's shop, youre very lucky to have that support, you have a job there whenever you need it, youre already allot better off than most people for having that. Keep at it until something else comes along or emigrate if you cant find anything at home. Id just keep building on your experience through volunteer work, eventually something will come up.

helimachoptor

OP, I'm assuming you are applying for grad programmes?

Unfortunately even with a masters you may find it difficult, employers still have their pick of people for jobs.

Just keep at it, for the companies who do speak with do ask for feedback on your cv/interview so you can make improvements if they're needed.

baby and crumble

I understand how you feel, I have 2 masters degrees and for a while I couldn't find a job either (this was during the recession). I was overqualified for a lot of work but lacked practical experience in my academic area.

I know most people don't like to hear it but if it weren't for JobBridge I'd still be unemployed I reckon. So definitely don't discount getting an internship somewhere in your chosen area. Look into it, see if you are eligible.

One thing I will say though, stop putting pressure on yourself to "give your girlfriend security";

unemployed_and_sad wrote: »

... I would still love to be doing something more substantial that I can use to give my girlfriend security.

That's not your responsibility, especially as it sounds like she's working herself.

woodchuck

helimachoptor wrote: »

OP, I'm assuming you are applying for grad programmes?

Unfortunately even with a masters you may find it difficult, employers still have their pick of people for jobs.

I disagree with this. The OP already has a masters, so I don't think further education is the route to go unless his chosen field requires additional qualifications on top of what he already has.

OP what you need now for your CV is experience to back up the education, so you're doing the right thing with the volunteer work. You're doing all the right things with the mock interview etc too. The one thing I would advise is to take any feedback they give you on board. Did you ever ask for feedback from the interviews you attended?

You also mentioned that your social life revolves around your girlfriend though... that's a little worrying. I think you should spend some time developing some (cheap or free) hobbies that get you out of the house and socialising with other people.

5rtytry56

woodchuck wrote: »

I think you should spend some time developing some (cheap or free) hobbies that get you out of the house and socialising with other people.

This.
It may be useful to develope some hobbies ........... to talk about at the job interviews rather than relying on what you do now.

Rubberchikken

i agree with above. keep up the volunteering.an internship might also be a great way to get some experience.
it's probably not the best time for job hunting, we tend to be winding down with christmas ahead.
don't get down about it. you've done great so far and achieved so much. time and perseverance will pay off.

congrats on your masters,btw. best of luck in the future.

LegacyUser

"I disagree with this. The OP already has a masters, so I don't think further education is the route to go unless his chosen field requires additional qualifications on top of what he already has"

By "grad programmes" helimachoptor isn't suggesting the OP gets additional qualifications.

They are referring to the graduate recruitment programmes offered by employers, especially the big names like the Civil Service, Microsoft, Deloitte etc.

OP I've a PhD and 10 years work experience and still can't get a job, either in my field, or outside it. It's really tough out there unless you work in IT or finance so give yourself a break.

SarahMollie

There are companies out there that have autism/Asperger programs where they activity hire people who are on the spectrum - I know the company I work for does anyhow (tech sector), and they can't be the only ones. Now I know you may not actively want to work in IT, but like all big companies there are more than just the technical roles and once you're in, you can move around internally. Have you looked in the tech sector at all?

helimachoptor

woodchuck wrote: »

I disagree with this. The OP already has a masters, so I don't think further education is the route to go unless his chosen field requires additional qualifications on top of what he already has.
.

Grad programmes in companies..

woodchuck

helimachoptor wrote: »

Grad programmes in companies..

Ah sorry, mistook what you meant!

LegacyUser

Hi all,

Thanks for the responses, I really appreciate it all.

Unfortunately I am not working in my aunt's pharmacy anymore, but I may ask her if she will need more people soon.

As of now I have started to socialize with friends other than my girlfriend and I am thinking of joining a choir in addition to doing my library volunteering on Wednesday.

I'm looking at possibly applying to jobs in the UK because there is a much greater demand for librarians over there.

Also what's the story with the new Job Bridge? I would LOVE to do something like that, especially if one in administration comes up soon.

unemployed_and_sad

unemployed_and_sad wrote: »

Basically earlier today I graduated from my masters, which I finished my thesis for in August, and since then I haven't had any luck with getting accepted to a job. I've gone for interviews but they haven't been successful.

My job coach told me a lot of institutions are doing their end of year reports so most won't be hiring as much staff now. Although I still feel bad every day when I doss off and don't apply for jobs as much. I am volunteering every wednesday in my field of credentials (library work) and while I enjoy it I would still love to be doing something more substantial that I can use to give my girlfriend security.

I have Asperger Syndrome and I have signed up with an organization that are helping me because they do workshops, and I have a mock interview session coming up on Thursday. I don't know, I get some people might look at me and think I'm doing a lot but the fact I haven't got a job yet and all my other friends and girlfriend are working does get me down
sometimes.

I used to have a great social life in college, I have no social life now other than my girlfriend, so I get lonely when I'm not with her and even then she is getting worried for my sake.

Hope some people here can help. I have never had a non-voluntary job other than working in my aunt's shop for 2 years so things are difficult beyond belief.

What have you got a masters in?
Is it a masters that is useful to obtaining a job or a masters that you did because you wanted to?

carzony

It depends on what the masters is in. I'm working in a level entry job full of people who obtained master degrees in useless areas.

One guy spent five years in ucd getting a degree in history and is now stuck, struggled to find work for years after.


My advice would be to just get any job, save money and emigrate if possible. Despite what the media tells you it's still very difficult to find a well paying job that you can survive on. The problem is most people have this level of education, it just doesnt stand out anymore.