What should i do with the next 42 years?

misssarahleigh

I passed my first year of scoial work. Because applied criminology and scoial work had topics in common they put them all in the first year and taught us togather, although was so fustrating.

Everything was directed towards the social work group (80 of them 20 of us) and we got sick of standing up and telling all the guest speakers who started with the sentance 'when your a social worker....' that us lot had no intention of being one and we were on a different course :mad:

Did see some interesting face's though lol

I would prefer to work with people. Like i said i have tried to volunteer. The local ASB unit does not have a volunteer framework in place, im a AA for the Yot team and am meant to be a mentor but the woman who run's it never answers my emails so have given up.

Tried volunterring at a pupil referral unit, they don't have volunteers and other places but nothing!!

The job i'm in now is proper boring and would not want to advance. there ruthless. so many managers sacked since i started. one has recently dissapeared without anybody saying anything this last week, and they big time take the mick out of what they expect you to do. Been here 8 months and still on agency books!

I like the idea of social work i just have been problems with looney government rules and jobs worth people lol

Hermia

wontfallforit wrote: »

It's an interesting subject. I don't think it's "useless", but I think students and graduates in social sciences and 'softer' subjects need to have a firm career plan from the outset, otherwise it's quite easy to fall into the "I don't know what to do" mindset.

I got my first degree in Sociology. One thing we were told on the course is that the social sciences are a great basis for lots of careers, but that you usually have to do a postgraduate course that is more focused on the career you are interested in. I certainly have not found it a useless subject and still use the skills I was taught all the time. I definitely think I use my degree a lot more than my colleagues who have degrees in more traditional, less "soft" subjects. Have you had a look on the www.prospects.ac.uk website. There is a lot of information on postgraduate degrees and I think the 'explore types of jobs' section is excellent.

misssarahleigh

I like the social science's. it interests me greatly and i personally can see the benifit but other people/employers don't get that.

I'm going to have a good luck at the websites reccomended. I think i have lost confidence and motivation because i just wanted 'A' job when i was unemployed and i think u get a little stuck sometimes.

I have a saving's account that i've been stashing away money in case i want to go on and study some more. i think once i find something i want to do i'll be ok. my motivation will go through the roof as i'm a very determind person when i want to be (which is code for brat lol )

wontfallforit

Regarding voluntary experience - or lack thereof - I think it's just a case of keep trying.

Rather than seeking voluntary work with vulnerable youths, why not try getting a little bit of experience with "normal" youths first? I'm thinking along the lines of youth clubs, summer camps, teaching assistant experience, etc.

It might be so difficult to get voluntary work right now because it's such a big step from having no (?) experience in youth work, to working with youths who are vulnerable/"disturbed"/distrupted in some way...or who might even be potentially violent, abusive, etc., if you're specifically looking at YOT work.

And volunteering in general - have you already looked at the likes of www.vinspired.com and www.do-it.org?

misssarahleigh

I did try both those sites and made a few enquiries but never heard anything back. This was just before a got my job so didn't really follow up on it, but shall have a look now.

caeler

I wonder if you should look at companies that you'd like to work for (ie. you like their approach to the environment and corporate social responsibility, etc), then look for entry level jobs that you think you could do.

Then you can experience business and see what interests you which will give you some direction.

Alternative look for some graduate programmes, although I suspect your best choice will be the police.

Good Luck! (I've got 40 years left!) ;-)

misssarahleigh

bluefuzzybug wrote: »

I wonder if you should look at companies that you'd like to work for (ie. you like their approach to the environment and corporate social responsibility, etc), then look for entry level jobs that you think you could do.

Then you can experience business and see what interests you which will give you some direction.

Alternative look for some graduate programmes, although I suspect your best choice will be the police.

Good Luck! (I've got 40 years left!) ;-)

well i say 42, by the time i get there i'm pretty sure the retirment age will have gone up :rotfl:

I wouldn't mind working with the police, but i know a few police officer's and studied how they run. Also read a few books written by officers who have 'come out' and spoken about their experince. I really couldn't do it.

flutterbyuk25

misssarahleigh wrote: »

when i became unemployed i tried finding a role in the youth work sector. My degree is not JNC endorsed so cannot work in youth. tried to get round this by volunteering for all sort of people. charities, applied for school jobs etc only to be told without experience i would not be accepted for anything. I occasionally work for the YOT as an appropriate adult but as i work full tine they normally need people during the day.

Tried very hard to find something in the youth field only to be told every single time, no chance.

Whilst it is hard to get into the youth work sector it is do-able without relevant qualifications/experience, you just need to network.

Networking is key in many job roles, and definately in youth/social work field. Get your name out there if it's what interests you! Email the local council to find out what they have to offer (mine does youth work training courses, open evenings where you can find out about really useful info, vacancy bullitins etc). If people know your name then you will be in a better position when jobs are available. Many jobs may go internally but by being on their mailing lists you may get the info sent to you. This is the same for any career field. So many people have found out about jobs purely through word of mouth!

I also volunteer with a local YOT as an AA, have done so for 18months now, never been called out to be an AA though. Yet the YOT has given me free training in drugs&alcohol, mental health, lone working, health&safety etc. YOT's are usually desperate for help so speak to your contact again. My YOT runs youth projects in school holidays and they ask every volunteer if they can help, regardless of your experience. Plus they email any relevant job vacancies.

As someone else has said try other options if you want experience. Scouts/Guides are crying out for volunteers, local youth clubs, sports clubs etc. Again it will help with networking.

Where abouts are you?

x

munchies

misssarahleigh wrote: »

I want something where i can use my skills at being diplomatic and getting things solved. I enjoy the rush of winning the battle (normally in the form of ringing conpanies and tell them how their illegal behaviour means i don't have to pay a pennie lol)

I like sticking up for other people and helping them out. i'm a little wounder to all friends and family who have a difficult consumer issue so this i may take further, but there would be a lot of study involved.

I'm unsure about going back and doing other courses as my experience at uni wasn't a good one and don't really have the money to do so.

What about advice work? Try Citizen's Advice for voluntary work to see if you would like this type of work?

moggylover

misssarahleigh wrote: »

Thats a very kind post and made me smile. Thank you for being slightly more upbeat.

I think my confidence took a bit of a knock when i was unfairley dismissed from my job, i couldn't find work with my degree and the credit crunch hit and i was turned down for tesco lol i'm only in my job now by chance as i was temping for 2 week, 8 month later .....

I suppose i have let my struggle get me down. but hopefully this will be a fresh start. plus, would like a job with a little money so i have a chance of moving out of home beforei'm 40 :rotfl:

Glad to be of help!

Lots of people have periods when nothing seems to go right (I know I do:o) but that doesn't ever mean that you have to loose respect for yourself or what you have already achieved.

The economy will improve again, you will find an interest that sparks a thought that gives you a lightbulb and you will head where you are going: part of that has to just be being open to all sorts of new directions you hadn't thought of.

I'm currently mentoring some 14/15 year olds who are not "academically" inclined at a local Comprehensive school - I am really saddened by how little they know of the different fields out there, and how little our media and our education system enlightens them about this. Having some successes - not helped much by the fact that they will be seen by many employers as "not worthy" since I am unlikely to be able to persuade many of them to reach degree level education unless I can get them into some other "hands on" type training:o.

Not much fun being turned down by Tesco - but that possibly puts you in a majority not a minority, and that "over-qualified/under-qualified/lacking experience/over-experienced thing affects us all from time to time!

Don't give up hope! You sound like a nice lass, who is feeling a bit knocked down at the moment. Give yourself a break and time to really look at what is out there, and whilst you are doing that you may well find that a door opens that you were not expecting and that your road becomes clear for you.