No idea what to do now

wiggywoo9

I've just finished uni (well, technically 1 month ago). I'm a single mum to a 2yr old. I feel a bit stuck tbh, as I'm going to be 21 in July and now uni's finished, I don't know where to go.

I will get a 2.2 cos I found out I was pregnant as I started my first year and I've been through hell and back throughout my uni years. Not great, but I'm pleased I've finished as I was getting tired with it all.

I don't feel like I've got much to offer job-wise (I studied English/Creative Writing)- I can write you an essay but I'm not particuarly practical and I've never had a 'real' job, just bits of volunteering or bar work at my aunt's bar in Greece. I've done plenty of qualifications outside my uni, TEFL, Vision2Learn things, etc. I don't have a C in GCSE maths, only a D as I'm terrible at it- long story short, I paid to this again with ICS, couldn't find a place to do exams and now its finished.

I don't know what I want to do. I headed for teaching but I don't feel comfortable with it, its just a kind-of straight route from my degree and I don't meet requirements either! I can look for other jobs sure, but I've got nothing in mind for the future- just don't know what I want!

I'd like a good-paying job that's regular, more or less secure, around £20,000 PY or higher, that I can try and get a mortgage on? I know in this economy, things are tough, but I just feel like I'm treading water. All I did today was read my book and entertain my son. That's fine, but I don't want to be left doing nothing when he starts school. I've got a year or so before he'll get funded nursery time, but still another two before proper school.

My mum didn't work at all til she was in her late 30s and I (oldest of 3) was 17. She can't really get a mortgage now and is in a low-paying job at a shop. I do not want this and I've begun to wonder what I'll do when my son's off, to uni, work or whatever, in the future. I can't read all day! I need some direction cos I'm feeling a bit low and listless, and I'm scared I'll drop back into my PND state.

notanewuser

wiggywoo9 wrote: »

I've just finished uni (well, technically 1 month ago). I'm a single mum to a 2yr old. I feel a bit stuck tbh, as I'm going to be 21 in July and now uni's finished, I don't know where to go.

I will get a 2.2 cos I found out I was pregnant as I started my first year and I've been through hell and back throughout my uni years. Not great, but I'm pleased I've finished as I was getting tired with it all.

I don't feel like I've got much to offer job-wise (I studied English/Creative Writing)- I can write you an essay but I'm not particuarly practical and I've never had a 'real' job, just bits of volunteering or bar work at my aunt's bar in Greece. I've done plenty of qualifications outside my uni, TEFL, Vision2Learn things, etc. I don't have a C in GCSE maths, only a D as I'm terrible at it- long story short, I paid to this again with ICS, couldn't find a place to do exams and now its finished.

I don't know what I want to do. I headed for teaching but I don't feel comfortable with it, its just a kind-of straight route from my degree and I don't meet requirements either! I can look for other jobs sure, but I've got nothing in mind for the future- just don't know what I want!

I'd like a good-paying job that's regular, more or less secure, around £20,000 PY or higher, that I can try and get a mortgage on? I know in this economy, things are tough, but I just feel like I'm treading water. All I did today was read my book and entertain my son. That's fine, but I don't want to be left doing nothing when he starts school. I've got a year or so before he'll get funded nursery time, but still another two before proper school.

My mum didn't work at all til she was in her late 30s and I (oldest of 3) was 17. She can't really get a mortgage now and is in a low-paying job at a shop. I do not want this and I've begun to wonder what I'll do when my son's off, to uni, work or whatever, in the future. I can't read all day! I need some direction cos I'm feeling a bit low and listless, and I'm scared I'll drop back into my PND state.

I'm sorry but you're not going to walk into a £20+k per year job with a creative writing degree and no work experience. Have you totally discounted doing a PGCE (don't do primary, there are zero jobs). What about copywriting?

harrys_dad

Why not contact the Uni careers advice service and see what they can offer. Do not go for teaching unless it is something you really want to do, it is soul destroying otherwise.

Several avenues will also be closed to you without a C grade in Maths (I have to say I am somewhat surprised you did not rectify this during A levels, but better late than never). Do not make excuses like "I am useless at Maths", if you have the capacity to get a degree you can learn enough maths with a decent teacher.

It can be hard to find a sense of direction, but asking for advice is the first step. Good luck!

notanewuser

HE/FE teaching/lecturing could be an option though. Lots of scope for part time hours and decent holidays.

wiggywoo9

I just want to say, I majored in English, not creative writing. Technically it's an English degree.

somethingcorporate

Have you considered local government/civil service? They tend to be less picky about subject and grade and obviously a decent career.

Not sure you'll meet your salary expectations - you're asking for about the average graduate starting salary and I'd suggest without a 2.1 you are below an "average" graduate.

wiggywoo9

Thanks somethingcorporate, please don't pick at the fact I didn't get a 2.1 cos I hate myself enough for it already and I've stumbled through homelessness, postnatal depression, suicide attempts, conflicts at home and my dad killing himself already. Even if I did it again, I don't think I could've got it. I've lost my love of academia through these issues.

lindens

How about something in journalism?

pops5588

wiggywoo9 wrote: »

Thanks somethingcorporate, please don't pick at the fact I didn't get a 2.1 cos I hate myself enough for it already and I've stumbled through homelessness, postnatal depression, suicide attempts, conflicts at home and my dad killing himself already. Even if I did it again, I don't think I could've got it. I've lost my love of academia through these issues.

I don't think somethingcorporate was trying to put you down or anything, it's clear that you have been through a lot. Only point (as far as I can see) that he was trying to make is that unfortunately jobs that would bring you the salary that you are after tend to be "reserved" for those who graduated with a 2:1 or above. And i'm saying this as someone who got a 2:2!! I left uni and had to go straight back into my holiday 16 hr a week retail job. A few years later and I'm still earning just under £18,000 so believe me I know how tricky it is.

I think the idea of going to a careers adviser is a good one, really talk it through with someone and have a think about what your passions are.

Wishing you luck.

ScribbleNInk

Agree that careers advice can be really helpful. You should be able to see one through your uni. It's not like rubbish secondary school advice - it can actually be really helpful!

How about having a think about how you might be able to use your creative skills/interest to get yourself into a job? Someone mentioned copywriting - you could sign up to something like Elance and start trying to pick up a freelance work to get experience. Check out jobs in digital media because online content is becoming really big and you may find opportunities at agencies or the like. Even if you go in at a lower position/salary there may be opportunities to progress reasonably quickly.

I'd agree that you might want to avoid teaching if you don't have a passion for it. It sounds like you're after something that will inspire you a bit. Local gov or the NHS could also be an option as both will give you good experience at the very least.

Lastly, tbh based on what you've said about the last few years I think you should be a lot more proud of yourself for your 2:2. You had a kid and a whole range of other challenges and still got a degree! You need to own it, realise what you've achieved and use that to demonstrate to employers how committed and capable you are.

Write down some things you are interested in and passionate about (even if they're quite broad or you're not sure how they relate to a possible job), get an up to date CV together and bring those to a career advisor. I think you're showing all the signs of a potentially great employee, just lacking confidence and direction!

GOOD LUCK.

kloana

wiggywoo9 wrote: »

Thanks somethingcorporate, please don't pick at the fact I didn't get a 2.1 cos I hate myself enough for it already and I've stumbled through homelessness, postnatal depression, suicide attempts, conflicts at home and my dad killing himself already. Even if I did it again, I don't think I could've got it. I've lost my love of academia through these issues.

I don't think somethingcorporate meant to get you down at all. Your OP (and this post) make it clear that your circumstances would test even the most 'gifted' graduate/student.

You need to 'get over' and accept your 2:2. I do not mean that in a snotty way, so please don't get me wrong, but you need to accept it for what it is.

Many of my friends got 2:2s (I'm only a few years removed from uni myself), and amongst them, I can count engineers, cabin crew, social workers, and teachers. A 2:2 is not a failure. It's just below the 'benchmark' of what's normally expected (particularly in these very challenging times). It can be tough with a 2:2, but it can be tough with any degree (or lack of) right now.

So, hold your head up high.

Graduate positions available to graduates with 2:2s include:

Retail banking; NHS positions; civil service (local government, etc.); Ministry of Defence (both civilian and armed); the police force; supermarkets (management schemes); large retail stores (management schemes); large fast food stores (management schemes); large brewery chains; large transport network organisations, and so on.

(please remember I graduated in 2006, with a 2:1, but looked quite deep into many schemes back then - though some requirements may have changed).

However, they are just specific schemes devised by large corporate and governmental bodies. Take them out of the equation (and remember that they're usually highly competitive, even if you have a fantastic degree), and there's still positions available for a graduate with a 2:2. Or a non-graduate willing to put in the work.

If you went to, say, a call centre, an office, or many small-medium firms, they would generally not give a fig about your 2:2 - just about what else you can offer - which is what you need to be thinking about now.

A 2:2 also equips you for many - not all - opportunities for postgraduate education and training. Some courses and particular universities will be more 'picky' than others, but this door is definitely not closed to you.

As for actually landing a job, particularly a well-paid one, please don't think that any 'lack' of success here is purely down to your educational attainment. Many 2:2 graduates feel as though they've let themselves down, and fail to realise that they still have a degree (and the blood, sweat and tears that come with it), whereas many jobs (including good jobs) don't even require that level of education. If you've tried your hardest, you've done nothing wrong.

But, as you know, things are tough at the moment - don't be thinking that the smug 2:1+ brigade have it easier just because of having gained an extra couple of marks, because they don't