No idea what to do!

Person_one

BunnieJ wrote: »

I'll give you an example of what I've applied for recently, it was a job as a support assistant for a young man about to start university in Bath. He has cerebral palsy and would need help getting around campus etc.

I've worked as a 1:1 support assistant for children with special needs and have worked with a teenager with cerebral palsy before. I have also lived/been to uni in Bath. I thought that would set me up in good stead for at least an interview/meet the young man I would be working with. I explained all the reasons I would be perfect for the job in my convering letter and sent my CV to the employer.

I was sent an e-mail to say my application had been recieved and they would let me know if I was shortlisted.

They never contacted me again so I assume they weren't interested...

I completely understand why I would get rejected from a job which I had no qualifcations/experience in; I often apply for something I think I would enjoy and hope that my covering letter/CV will at least be good enough for them to give me a shot at interview. But this was different, I knew I was capable and had the relevant skills for the role. It made me quite upset when I didn't get shortlisted!

Didn't you say that your TA job supporting children with special needs meant 'sitting at the back of the class doing nothing' though? From that, it doesn't sound as though you are filled with enthusiasm for that kind of work!

There were probably lots of applications from people with lots of experience, who'd done volunteering or training in their own time who were more suited. Don't be too disheartened, it doesn't sound to me as if care/support work is the right path for you.

You mentioned the bank, that's the kind of job where you can start at the bottom but if you work hard and do well you can move up the ladder even without a degree. Not everybody needs to have a dream career, plenty of people have a job that they don't mind doing and that keeps them secure financially, and that's enough.

grey_lady

I think there's been a fair amount of rubbish spewed on this thread.

So, OP - what do you enjoy doing? what do you think you just might have an aptitude for?

Forget going back to Uni - your just going to end up with more debt.

purcel

grey_lady wrote: »

I think there's been a fair amount of rubbish spewed on this thread.

So, OP - what do you enjoy doing? what do you think you just might have an aptitude for?

Forget going back to Uni - your just going to end up with more debt.

OU can be funded via a student loan, which you do not pay back unless you earn over £23k, this is how i intend to fund my studies this year, so I am sure this can possibly be available for the OP.

Being in the same situation as the OP I know how hard it is to find something else, for example I speak 2 languages other than English and i am unable to find a job to use this!

I have been in this country for 7 years now and I have learned that unless you have a degree, it is very hard to get a decent job which pays a reasonable wage. Hence why i want to start OU

BunnieJ

I totally agree with you!

I've tried to think positive about having failed uni; telling myself it wasn't for me and I could work my way up the career ladder in other ways, but it's just not the case

I left uni and was back at home working by the age of 20. Five years on and I'm stuck in a dead end job that pays peanuts! It's getting hard to keep telling myself I'll "work my way up in this job" because it isn't like that at all...

I'm not saying this because I'm feeling sorry for myself. I genuinely think I need to go back and study or do training for something. What I've been doing ever since I left uni clearly hasn't been working! Even the entry level jobs often require a degree or equivalent to be considered for the position in the current job market

I'm sure I'll get a load of "I started out as a binman and ended up as CEO of my company" or "I have a first degree and can't get a job" posts, but those individuals are rare. I've got friends with degrees who don't have their dream job yet, but at least they're on their way.

I enjoy lots if things. I like to cook/bake, do crafts, read. I enjoy anything creative really, I've often started writing things as well as crafting. I also enjoy history and studying people. My first choice of degree (which I didn't get into) was classics. I quit like the idea of marketing and advertising things. I also enjoy styling my home/making things for my home.

There's a lot going on inside my mind right now, hence why I'm so confused! :-s

I don't want to waste my money (as I've not got much) on courses that are more of a "hobby". I want to study/train for a recognisable qualification. Something I can put on my CV under achievements and education, not just interests.

The employment climate has changed. It's all about having the right qualifications, rather than a can do attitude and willingness to work your way up to the top of your career. At least that's how it seems to me :-/

NoGoodNamesLeft

I agree. There is no possible way I could get a job in my chosen field (genetics and zoology) without at least a degree, no matter how hard I try to 'work my way up'.

OP, I think you need to figure out what you are passionate about and whether you will need a degree to achieve your goals. If you do, go for it!

There are loads of free short courses available online. You could try a few completely different subjects and see which ones you enjoy.

Good luck!