Things I wish I had known!

[daftpixie]

1) That my degree would mean nothing without vocational training and on the job experience

2) That you cant get the on the job experience unless you have experience!

3) That if you choose one field to study/ train in, you had better like it! because otherwise it means more money and time training again! And even if you do retrain, someone younger than you will get the job anyway because they made the right decision, and will work for less!

4) That the mistakes you have made in the past will haunt you for the rest of your life because you struggle to get an interview to demonstrate your abilities and strength of character because your mistakes have meant you cant get past the first paper sift!

Humph. Rant over.

[joko]

i realised that with my degree so for my final project, rather than staging a production or making a model, i did 8 different work placements and wrote a journal of each one, and photos etc.

tutors didn't like it initially because they couldn't watch and assess me, only the final written work - i didn't give a toss - it has done so much more for me than my degree - i have never, ever been asked what results i got or what i learnt there.

[shammydodger]

Daftpixie

Bitter?

[daftpixie]

Im more of a red wine girl myself but thanks all the same shammydodger! x

[shammydodger]

Hmm

Just that you sounded as though you were blaming your problems on everybody but yourself.

[daftpixie]

oh, shammydodger, you nailed it! oh my god! from such a few short lines you have sussed out my whole character, wow, i cant beleive how well you know me!

[daftpixie]

Actually Shammiedodger, I apologise for my earlier sarcasm, I am having a bad couple of days, sorry! Im feeling very alone and without direction at the mo, and am really concerned about my career prospects, and contrary to how it has come across to you, Im very aware of my own shortcomings and hold myself completely responsible. Perhaps I shouldnt have used such a public forum to air my rant, but I had hoped others who had experienced similar may have been able to remind Im not alone.

[Cheekystar]

I know just what you mean!! and the only thing I could do was get job seekers, go on the new deal, do voluntary work then slowly get a job which had nothing to do with my degree at all!

I'm now a careers adviser and always encourage 6th formers to do career shadowing / work experience / volunteering!

[Machecoul]

A degree should show that you have a willingness to work hard at something.

Daughter 1 - degree in French/Russian ended up (after trying to find something she could use her languages for) working in personal finance and worked her way up.

Daughter 2 - Law degree - chose to go into retail management - got on a trainee managers scheme. Is now assistant manager at a Big W (a sort of Woolworths superstore)

What you have said isn't necessarily true - just don't expect in this day and age to jump in at the higher levels - no matter what the degree there will still be additional training involved - usually at least another year.

(incidentally both daughters on maternity leave having given birth to first children within 7 weeks of each other (and it was coincidence!)

Think about what you would like to do and go for it - but accept that there might be additional training.

Good Luck

A Proud Grandad

[daftpixie]

Thanks cheekystar, it looks like I may have to do similar. Machecoul, first of all, Congratulations!!! and thankyou for your words of advice. I worked full time and got myself through uni thinking that at the end of it I would get the job I wanted, which obviously was seting myself up for a fall! I will sit and have a good think, and apply for further training, just wish Id had a careers advisor like cheekystar!

[*Zeus*]

dont bother with edjamucation. Not having any qualifications ...just my single CSE in Enviromental Studies..... did me no harm. I am now a multi millionaire.

[Machecoul]

Go for it.

Draw up a list of what you would enjoy doing - investigate options (ask on here) through internet. That will then give you a better staring point.

I'm sure Cheekystar will be available again!!

[Machecoul]

Oh and thank you for the congratulations :))

[Gef]

Depends on the degree.

Two of my former pupils have just graduated with geology degrees.

1. Joined a well known international mining company. All accomodation expenses paid etc, Starting salary �24000.

2. Going to work on North Sea exploration rigs. 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week but 8 weeks on and 8 weeks off. Starting salary �31000.

Many degrees are very useful.

[daftpixie]

Gef, now im really depressed! Haha, good for them though,impressive stuff. I have just finished my Law degree, im just not sure what to do with it, it will cost me approx �8000 to train as a solicitor and was hoping to pursue the work I have been doing for last two years, which is with young offenders. However, all the higher paid jobs want me to have a different kind of degree plus NVQ's, and sadly I have a blemished record, made some mistakes and they come back to haunt me with every application form I fill in.

[shammydodger]

daftpixie

No offence taken.

Not that it will be of much comfort to you, but I was in a similar situation a few years back and thought it was everybody's fault but my own. And now things are great. It will work out for you. You just have to adjust your perspective and figure out what is most important. And, for most of us, that doesn't include earning oodles of money or worrying about what Mr Jones thinks of you.

[daftpixie]

cheers shammydodger x

[Choc Drop]

I totally understand and appreciate your rant, Daftpixie. The 'no job, no experience' and 'no experience, no job' thing is a vicious circle. I felt the same about my own degree. Make a list of all the things that you'd enjoy doing, and see which things you can apply your current experience to. You can always develop into other things later (if you still want to).

Before considering retraining specifically for a job, check out what companies look for. If they look to employ someone younger, newly-educated and cheaper, than experienced and educated, don't waste your money and time with courses. Pursue things where you'll be appreciated, valued and useful.

For getting new experience, unpaid or volunteer work (although sucky because you're not getting any money), does get you closer to where you want to be, rather than spending ages pursuing something that's currently out of reach (because you'll still be unpaid while doing that anyway!) So it's justifiable!

In applying for interviews, totally acknowledge your past mistakes and specify exactly what you plan to do to remedy them in your future work. A lot of people will really respect you for that. If they don't, then you probably never needed their job/company anyway!

Lots of luck.