22 and no job!

wiggywoo9

I have a feeling I'm going to get shot down for this. Basically, I'm a single parent of a 3 year old. I'm 22. I've done plenty of volunteer work, been to uni, just done a teaching assistant course, with a view to starting a PGCE next year (sept 2015). I've never had a paying job at all. I'm utterly ashamed and feel so childish.


I just had my 22nd birthday and desperate now for any job, call centre work, anything really, that will just help! I've not spent time leisurely but I feel so poor about this. Please, any help?

ableandy

Why not get a job in a school?

double_mummy

heya sweetie

nice to see you branching out

do you have a local shop or something that will let you work whilst wiglet is in nursery? or working in a school is another good idea

venetianlagoon

Cut yourself some slack honey, you are hardly sat at home doing nothing. Time is on your side, look at schools, colleges or Unis where you can get term time work. My sis works in a school and a lot of the jobs go to volunteers so maybe that is a way in?

lollipopsarah

You are already doing the hardest job - being a mum.
Don't be ashamed you are not sitting on your behind you've worked darn hard and will be able to reap the benefits once your little one is in school full time.
Please try to enjoy being a mum it all passes so quickly, best wishes.
xx

tomtontom

Your situation is far from ideal, even taking into account study and having a child most people will have work experience by 22. Look at what skills you have and apply for everything suitable - there is no need to limit yourself to term time hours, help with childcare is available through tax credits.

With regard to the PGCE, do you have the requisite qualifications?

Marshmallow82

can you get a TA job for one year?

wiggywoo9

With regards to PGCE, I did the TA course to get above and beyond the experience required plus a handy qualification. I have a maths exam this week after a year of study (this has been a problem area for me so I am hoping I can do it). I've got everything else.


This is the bloody problem, people don't just pick up a job like a library book any more. It is damn hard to get anything. I apply for TA jobs of course, had interviews but come to nothing. My placement school is actually laying off TAs. There is a new thing coming in about statemented children- there will be no required budget or set guidelines etc, as they were to stretching point with not enough to handle all the needs. The budget will be managed differently, teachers picking up the slack and TAs either out of a job or only helping with certain things (like scribe work). I don't have much customer service experience- I worked in a bar in Greece for two months and did two months at the BHF. Besides that I've worked 1 month in playgroup and had three month placement in a SEN school. And that made me poorer as I wasn't paid and I forked out childcare.


I just want anything, just to 'step me in', to be honest. I'm not looking for job of the year or any high pay. Where are all the call centre, shop work, etc. jobs?

duchy

Maybe your attitude that retail or call centre jobs are not jobs of the year is shining through at interviews and is putting off employers. I have a job like that and I find it a bit sad that an unemployed person views my job with such disdain and thinks it's not good enough. Presumably the taxes I pay are good enough to have funded your degree and your benefits though !

HappyMJ

I'd be looking at doing some voluntary work that can fit around your child to get improved customer service skills.

wiggywoo9

I am not saying that at all, I'm just asking to start somewhere. You of all people should know I don't think like that, Duchy.