'Lost' generation

456789

I have read in a few places about a 'Lost' generation of people from the last recession who never got jobs or went into the careers they wanted to

- Does anyone here feel they are part of that generation? What happened to you? Did you ever get into your chosen career?

- Does anyone feel like they might be part of a new 'lost' generation during this recession. I personally do - I have been doing voluntary work to keep my skills upto date and to get more experience but things don't look to good atm

venus_in_furs

Yes, i left uni and haven't been able to find a job with my degree. Everyone has them these days anyway. I have been unemployed for over 7 months, with just 2 interviews! I am due to go into a job at the job centre (administrative officer) and even though i am grateful beyond belief that i have finally found a job, a part of me feels lost and that my future is uncertain. I have gained no experience in my chosen field despite offering myself for free work experience and feel frustrated. But that's the times for ya', just grateful i shall have a job soon

Oh and lots of people i know who have just been to uni are feeling the same, like uni was just a big pointless waste of time as they are not in jobs relating to their degrees. They seem to much prefer experience these days anyway.

DCFC79

When i saw the title i thought it was going to be a thread about LOST the tv program

456789

DCFC79 wrote: »

When i saw the title i thought it was going to be a thread about LOST the tv program

heh

do you have any experience with the topic in question DCFC79?

HelenYorkshire

I think I'm part of the "new-lost" crowd
Have a degree, have signed on and off and been in and out of social housing - my "ambition" is to rent from a council / association because at least I can afford that. Mortgage? Don't make me laugh.
I'm overqualified for McJobs but the career I want is very specialised and current adverts are demanding 2-3 years experience. I am volunteering in relevant sector though.
It's all very well seeing adverts in nearby towns but I can't afford to run a car or use regular public transport, nor do I have deposit etc to move house.

I've just commented to an old mate that I wish I were happy sat on my backside drinking stella, it would make life so much easier!

Uni was fun and fulfilling, but in hindsight I should have left school at 16, done an apprenticeship or similar, and be nearly 10 years into a career by now. Without the debt that I am living in.

456789

Also on the radio today some guy was saying that being unemployed out of uni leaves permanent scars not just superficial memories

venus_in_furs

456789 wrote: »

Also on the radio today some guy was saying that being unemployed out of uni leaves permanent scars not just superficial memories

Yes, well i think it has knocked my confidence some what. You get brought up being told you can be what you want if you work hard enough, yet when you do work hard you still seem get no where! It makes you doubt your own abilities. I suppose universities may be the culprit, you live in a bubble of giddy expectations, thinking that your future is sorted! They never inform the student on the down falls that may occur after uni, such as unemployment and how to cope if all doesn't go to plan. Or if they do it was not widely known about and should be!

chicacherrycola

venus_in_furs wrote: »

Yes, well i think it has knocked my confidence some what. You get brought up being told you can be what you want if you work hard enough, yet when you do work hard you still seem get no where! It makes you doubt your own abilities. I suppose universities may be the culprit, you live in a bubble of giddy expectations, thinking that your future is sorted! They never inform the student on the down falls that may occur after uni, such as unemployment and how to cope if all doesn't go to plan. Or if they do it was not widely known about and should be!

I agree. Everyone assumes that after uni everything will fall into place, job, followed by career, then a house and a happily ever after. Unemployment was never covered by the folk in careers because they dont deal with that and they made it seem like such an easy transition from uni to job. The reality has been quite different and I dont feel i was prepared for 'the real world'.

I loved what I studied and uni was an experience I wouldnt have missed for the world but you do stop and think sometimes 'what if i stopped at 18 and had got a job'

xxx

Ps. Venus - you don't live in Berlin by any chance do you?

venus_in_furs

chicacherrycola wrote: »

I agree. Everyone assumes that after uni everything will fall into place, job, followed by career, then a house and a happily ever after. Unemployment was never covered by the folk in careers because they dont deal with that and they made it seem like such an easy transition from uni to job. The reality has been quite different and I dont feel i was prepared for 'the real world'.

I loved what I studied and uni was an experience I wouldn't have missed for the world but you do stop and think sometimes 'what if i stopped at 18 and had got a job'

xxx

Ps. Venus - you don't live in Berlin by any chance do you?

I wish i lived in Berlin!!! Yes, please!!! No i live in the Nort West of England near Liverpool.

Yes, uni was great...if i could have spent the rest of my life being a student than i would!!! It is hard leaving uni and it is a struggle for some gaining relevant employment or even unpaid work experience, as in my case. Hopefully sometime in my future i will get my break.

I also look back and think 'What if i didn't go to uni?' I know i would be a lot less streetwise (as university teaches you a lot about being independent) but also a lot less in debt! Haha! x

chicacherrycola

Sorry Venus - i have a friend out there who used the same user name on another forum - thought you might have been one and the same! Not to worry!

I guess there will always be the big pros and cons of uni debate.

As for the original question posed - do i feel lost? Yes a little bit and i've only just started my journey. The future is a very scary place right now.

456789

Actually I think I would have been better off if I hadn't gone to uni, their were lots more jobs available then and I was a lot more confident after my a levels - but you can't change the past