Teenager reluctant to get a job

Amanda65

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Art degree tutors are going to be far more interested in the quality of the student's portfolio and her thoughts about art rather than talking to her about part time bar work.

Ah but having decided that her work was good enough for interview at the Uni of choice, and having discussed her work, they then wanted to know a bit more about her. Loads of students have fantastic portfolios - it's the something else that can make them stand out. And for the record, she was offered a place at all her Uni's and starts at her first choice in September

Person_one

Amanda65 wrote: »

Ah but having decided that her work was good enough for interview at the Uni of choice, and having discussed her work, they then wanted to know a bit more about her. Loads of students have fantastic portfolios - it's the something else that can make them stand out. And for the record, she was offered a place at all her Uni's and starts at her first choice in September

I never had an interviewer ask me about my part time job, even though I did a project based around it!

Oldernotwiser

Amanda65 wrote: »

Ah but having decided that her work was good enough for interview at the Uni of choice, and having discussed her work, they then wanted to know a bit more about her. Loads of students have fantastic portfolios - it's the something else that can make them stand out. And for the record, she was offered a place at all her Uni's and starts at her first choice in September

It rather depends what else someone does with her time instead of working.

Interviewers in any subject are going to be interested in things like voluntary and community work, sports and other constructive leisure activities-they're not going to be interested in someone's Saturday job in McDonalds.

Of course, if the student is doing nothing other than watch TV and go on Facebook, a part time job will be something more constructive to do but there are far better ways of boosting an application.

Not that I have anything against part time work per se- I worked every Saturday and holiday from the age of 15 - but I would have been a much better university candidate if I'd been able to continue playing sports or carry on with my amateur dramatics, both of which I had to drop when I started working.

Amanda65

Person_one wrote: »

I never had an interviewer ask me about my part time job, even though I did a project based around it!

Different courses I guess and up to each individual how it works. I can only speak from my DD's experience and give my opinion, which is what we can all only do on here

LisaLou1982

Not read all the comments but have read some and thought id put my experiences accross.

I had a job from the age of 13 - delivering the free papers once a week. I wasnt forced to get a job, but i liked to have my own money, so thats how i got it.

During GCSE's, i added to the paper round and worked on a saturday at a hairdressers.

At 16, i started college, gave up paperround and saturday job and got a job waitressing at a local pub as well as a part time job after college doing some telesales.

At 18, i started uni, doing a full time Law degree. I still worked - 2 jobs at some points - 3 at another!! - simply to arn more money for myself. Working hours would vary between 20 and 35hrs depending on what coursework/exams etc i had.

I simply do not agree that anyone studying cant get a part time job to help fund their own lifestyle. With the exception of some medical degrees, midwifery, radiography etc where you are on placement at various times of the yr alongside your lectures, everyone else has time to do a part time job. I disagree with anyone who says there are "easy" and "hard" degrees - I did Law which by its very standing would be classed as a "hard" degree. The level of work put in is the same regardless of the type of degree. Our lectures/tutorials amounted to around 25hrs a week. Theres no way that anyone can tell me that 5hrs a day in lectures is too much to be able to work as well.

Tell your daughter to stand on her own 2 feet OP - its harsh, but she needs to realise that she cant rely on you forever. Whether you have the money to support her or not is neither here nor there. The majority of students, both at college and university have part time jobs at the weekends and evenings. If she wants to go and socialise (which she will!!) then she should earn her own money. Dont give her any and see how long it takes her to start looking. I bet it wont be long!!!

Oldernotwiser

LisaLou1982 wrote: »

Tell your daughter to stand on her own 2 feet OP - its harsh, but she needs to realise that she cant rely on you forever. Whether you have the money to support her or not is neither here nor there. The majority of students, both at college and university have part time jobs at the weekends and evenings. If she wants to go and socialise (which she will!!) then she should earn her own money. Dont give her any and see how long it takes her to start looking. I bet it wont be long!!!

You have missed the point that the OP's daughter isn't on a degree course and her parents still receive substantial state funding to support her. Of course, she may want to get a part time job to pay for extras but she is still her parents' responsibility.

Even when at university, very few people need to work 20/35 hours per week and it can be detrimental to their studies to do so. It's often better to be more realistic about what one can afford as a student and put one's energies into getting the most out of this time (and I don't mean just socialising ) rather than expecting the lifestyle of someone who's not a student.

There should be more to university than study, booze and burgers!

Loz01

As soon as I was 16 I got a job so I wouldnt have to rely on my Mum to bung me the odd £10 etc, I thought it was time I worked for myself! And then when I was 17 at 6th form, I was paying for my own driving lessons etc - finished Uni now but still got the summer job I had while I was there, used to be at Uni Mon-Thurs, work Friday, off Saturday, work Sunday and back to Uni on Monday!

It was a bit manic at times but I didnt wanna rely on my Mum to pay for my car insurance, petrol, mobile phone, bus fares, general money etc, esp not when I was in 6th form and an adult.

Edit; Forgot to add, I lived at home during Uni and commuted so all the money I got from work went towards petrol etc to get there, I only ever broke even, never would've managed without a job!

Spirit_2

DD graduated this summer - held down a proper job throughout her degree - usually working 10 hours a week - adjusted her hours to work less in the run up to exams and up to full time in holidays.

LisaLou1982

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You have missed the point that the OP's daughter isn't on a degree course and her parents still receive substantial state funding to support her. Of course, she may want to get a part time job to pay for extras but she is still her parents' responsibility.

Even when at university, very few people need to work 20/35 hours per week and it can be detrimental to their studies to do so. It's often better to be more realistic about what one can afford as a student and put one's energies into getting the most out of this time (and I don't mean just socialising ) rather than expecting the lifestyle of someone who's not a student.

There should be more to university than study, booze and burgers!

Actually i havent missed the point at all. I stated in my post that i was working whilst i was at college - aged 16 onwards. I know the OPs daughter isnt going to university - shes attending further education. However, it puts her in the same situation as any other student who is doing a FE course or A levels or the like.
Whilst it is her parents responsibilty to pay for her food and board whilst they are receiving state benefits for her, £20 a week CB and a few quid tax credits isnt going to get her very far. By no means are her parents responsible for giving her either pocket money or beer money - thats for her to earn herself!!!!

I think the realities of what students do, both before and whilst at university need to be recognised. Im guessing that if youve been to university then it was a long time ago. I left 5yrs ago and im sure things have changed somewhat in those 5 yrs.

Whilst it would obviously be wonderful for them all to work hard all of the time and put all of the efforts into their studies, the reality is very different. The majority will put work into their studies, but like me, will also spend a considerable amount of time socialising, shopping, and drinking! That all needs to be paid for one way or another!!!!

sarah_ace1

my eldest was like this!! didnt want a part time job whist at college etc and it really annoyed me.
anyway, he left college and is doing a 9 to 5 mon to friday appprenticeship, which he really enjoys:j