Have you ever felt trapped?

[Tock389]

Can you help me with this? I'm feeling a bit trapped.

Basically, I'm looking to change my job, but there is nothing about in my line of work (I'm a journalist). I work on average 10.30 to 8pm, so its difficult to socialise as well.

I also want to move out of the house I share with four others, but I just can't do that until I get a better job with a better salary.

It just seems that I'm not moving forward..I want to buy a house and have some independence, but I'm trapped- any tips on coping with things?

[CompNut]

Tock389, I'm sure most people have felt exactly the same as you at some time, so can sympathise. It is frustrating, but then Life often is, whatever age and stage one is at.
Looking at options, why not pour out all your frustrations into writing a novel? It is really cathartic to release your feelings in your writing, and if you can make it 'touch the nerve' of your contemporaries, many of whom are in the same position, they'd buy it, and it could make you a handsome profit! In your journalism career you must have had lots of experiences and ideas that you could work into a novel. Have a go! and good luck for your future.

[sammd]

Do you want to stay in journalism or make a career change? If you changed careers perhaps you could find something better paid with more sociable hours, then again if you love journalism and it's what you want to do... Could you try saving a bit each month towards buying your own place?

[Scarlett]

What qualifications/skills/experience do you have, and what is your current salary (if you don;t mind me asking).

[jason1980]

I have felt the same:

I am a single person who works in a family business but I still live at home and the business is run from home, so theres no escape. I can't afford to rent privately and I don't warrant a housing association/council property because I don't have kids which would put me on top of the housing waiting list. I live rural and cant drive, its difficult to socialise and every day feels the same - so I know where you're coming from.

The only way to change is to just push yourself. I spent 3 years studying accountancy with the AAT from home, and will leave the family business later this year to find a job in accountancy which will earm me more money, and more money will enable me to move out to rented private and put myself on the list for whats called shared ownership with a housing association where you buy 50% of the property and pay rent on half a house, but at least I'll own half a house even though I would need to earn 60K a year to buy a whole one!!

To get through it, plan what you want to do in stages and gradually try to get through each stage like targets.

[Tock389]

I have a senior journalism qualification, have A-levels and a degree- my salary is �18k and I am 30 years old

[Scarlett]

Yes, �18K is not very much for someone yur age. Could you not go to your boss and say that you are going to have look for another job unless you are promoted, as you can't afford to stay in this post any longer. If they rate you, they will find you something else to do, and give you more money.

Have you thought of teaching journalism? There must be many courses at universities and colleges where you can teach students how to be journalists. I would say you would get about �20- �25K doing this.

[Scarlett]

http://search.ucas.co.uk/cgi-bin/hsrun/search/search/StateId/R0kczoNkDUBWIca3tj-PcntQCkzos-4U5F/HAHTpage/search.HsSearch.submitForm?txtSubject=journalism&cmbQual=&cmbAttend=&cmbInst=&button1.x=22&button1.y=10

[jno]

journalism is very badly paid at the shallow end, and the hours can be trying; I don't know how people with families cope.

But it might help to think about what exactly is making you unhappy. Do you enjoy the sort of work you do? If so, could you try to move up the food chain toward Fleet Street or other national outlets (magazines, broadcasting)? The pay gets a lot better, though the hours may not.

To get better working hours, or if you're just fed up with the work you do, you may have to change jobs. That's a big topic; so think what you're good at, what you like, what use you can make of your qualifications and experience (in and out of work). Not easy; but good luck.