Recently I have come to the conclusion that having a degree is more of a hindrance than a help when it comes to finding work. I know, I know it sounds odd. There are a lot of jobs out in the world that require a degree before you can even be considered. I am aware that they exist.
But ...
(and it's a big but)
... these tend to require you having some extra razzle-dazzle that none of the other graduates you're competing with have. Which generally means work experience and a crazy skill set that puts you a class above all the other graduate job seekers. I've also discovered that most (around 90%) of graduate jobs are in businesses and companies, which means you need to have had at least a little bit of experience in the running or mechanics of businesses.
It is hard not to get intimidated by these advertisements. You spend three years of your life at university hoping to improve your future prospects, yet this is not good enough for these employers. So, you evaluate your Actual Workplace Work Experience, become nervous and aim lower on the employment ladder in the hopes of gaining some "valid" experience and a "transferable" skill set (plus, a butt load of confidence).
It seems sensible, the "get-some-recent-work-experience-to-learn-the-ropes" route, so it is the one I decided to follow upon wrapping up my degree. But, no-one will hire me.
And why won't they hire me ...
(here comes the kicker)
... because I'm over-qualified.
Which is a joke and a half. How can I be over-qualified at a role that I have no experience in? I might have a degree but that doesn't grant me magical powers that allow me to instantly be brilliant at anything I put my mind to. It just means I spent three years completing exams and coursework before finally earning the right to hold a piece of paper that says "YOU DID IT!"
(This is how I imagine a degree certificate looks like since I haven't received mine yet).
When it comes to a role (any role whether it be an apprenticeship, temp sales assistant role or graduate scheme) I should be judged on me, aka what I have to offer as a human who, generally, has the same capacity to work as the next human. They should ask about my work ethic, time-keeping, what I can and can't do, not look at my degree and assume that I'm high and mighty and above tedious work such as post sorting*.
(*an actual interviewer's words, not mine).
I'm also struggling with finding work experience. In my field of psychology, there are ethics galore to manoeuvre around and sometimes that's more effort than the volunteer is worth, so door is slammed. A few days ago I was told to contact Prince's Trust as they have programmes for people between the ages of 16-30, so I did.
Things went smoothly and yesterday I attended a interview with the Prince's Trust guys ...
(yeah, you get interviewed for work experience too)
... and he promptly told me that they only help people without a degree. People who are, as he put it, disadvantaged. This meant I would probably not be eligible for the work experience programme, leaving me firmly on square one.
It also made me furious. By selecting people based on whether they have a degree or not in order to help the disadvantaged they are, in effect, creating a disadvantaged population. The irony makes for hypocrisy and a lot of annoyance. They have made those with a degree (but no viable or little work experience) disadvantaged by ensuring they cannot gain work experience through their programme**.
Meaning we graduates will continue to struggle to find work.
For the past few months, my having a degree has been nothing but a huge hindrance in finding work.
It's back to the drawing board for me.
**(EDIT: I did later land a place on a different Prince's Trust programme, with different people who were lovely and super supportive, so the lesson here is keep trying, regardless of negativity and rejections).
A Night-In With A Fan
(A series of live-tweeting with a Merlin fan ...
... there may be spoilers for episode 5.04: Another's Sorrow).
ACTION!
... there may be spoilers for episode 5.04: Another's Sorrow).
ACTION!
Kirsty @SunriseAshes
That castle sure is pretty. #Merlin @MerlinOfficial
This Is How You Remind Me
I just saw a post on Tumblr. The basic premise was that the author likes it when people say "this reminded me of you" and it struck a chord with me. I too, enjoy it when a friend or family member buys me something or shows me something that reminded them of myself.
It can be simple, like when my friend bought me a VHS copy of the film Merlin (for obvious reasons). It may be terrible (I haven't gotten round to watching it) but I was touched by the gesture. Actually, I was thrilled. She had seen something related to Merlin, knew I am utterly in love with the BBC series and the original lore, then bought the video (at her own expense) so we could have a laugh at it. Because it reminded her of me.
It happens with music a lot. The first thing people usually learn about me is that I am a massive Linkin Park fan. Have been since I was thirteen-years-old. I support them in every way possible, I have all their studio albums, plus a few live ones. I am a member of LPU and I go to their gigs whenever they hit my shores. I consider them as a defining feature of myself, which is why when friends tell me that a Linkin Park song reminded them of me, I am ecstatic. When my Mum posted me some Chester Bennington (lead singer of Linkin Park) interviews to me while I was at university, I was touched.
Gifts are better when they represent an aspect of your life, no matter how small.
It can be simple, like when my friend bought me a VHS copy of the film Merlin (for obvious reasons). It may be terrible (I haven't gotten round to watching it) but I was touched by the gesture. Actually, I was thrilled. She had seen something related to Merlin, knew I am utterly in love with the BBC series and the original lore, then bought the video (at her own expense) so we could have a laugh at it. Because it reminded her of me.
It happens with music a lot. The first thing people usually learn about me is that I am a massive Linkin Park fan. Have been since I was thirteen-years-old. I support them in every way possible, I have all their studio albums, plus a few live ones. I am a member of LPU and I go to their gigs whenever they hit my shores. I consider them as a defining feature of myself, which is why when friends tell me that a Linkin Park song reminded them of me, I am ecstatic. When my Mum posted me some Chester Bennington (lead singer of Linkin Park) interviews to me while I was at university, I was touched.
Gifts are better when they represent an aspect of your life, no matter how small.
More Beans
I have officially moved into More Beans territory. It's been a long time coming. Over the summer I got an email saying I would be moved from Student Beans to More Beans, now it has actually happened. This basically means that I am no longer a student. I am a graduate. A full-fledged graduate.
To be honest, I thought nothing of this automatic move. I only signed up to Student Beans to get some discounts on food, clothes, day-trips and the like. I didn't bother exploring the site any further than that. Now that I'm on More Beans, I think this site might just save me.
It understands.
I know, what a strange thing to say about a website, but the first thing I noticed in the email was a few advice articles. They jumped out at me mostly because they are so relevant to how I am feeling right now. The articles ranged from how to deal with moving back in with your parents (a really difficult task to do once you've learnt how to live by yourself and without the constant supervision of your parents) and what to do after university ends.
That's the biggest issue I'm confronted with right now.
How do I deal with the black hole left behind now that university has ended?
I need not worry. There's a guide! A handy online pamphlet that is filled with delightful posters that seem to be personally directed at me.
"That was good. Now what?"
I don't know, mystical guidebook. That's the main issue right now. I feel directionless, without a purpose. I don't know how to start on making a career for myself.
"All of a sudden it feels a bit like you're floating in space, a bit directionless."
I said that already. Any other gems?
"Keep going. Have faith."
I hadn't thought of that. No, really.
Sarcasm aside, it's reassuring to hear that what I'm going through is a perfectly normal process and that other people are probably suffering in the same manner I am. Sometimes it feels like you're the dud, the one person in the world who screwed up and can't get a job, can't settle into life after university properly. It's harder still when you see your coursemates and roommates buzzing around, being successful and achieving all manner of exciting things.
Apparently I don't need to despair.
That won't stop me, but I will focus my mind a little more on resources available to me online.
Here's to More Beans!
To be honest, I thought nothing of this automatic move. I only signed up to Student Beans to get some discounts on food, clothes, day-trips and the like. I didn't bother exploring the site any further than that. Now that I'm on More Beans, I think this site might just save me.
It understands.
I know, what a strange thing to say about a website, but the first thing I noticed in the email was a few advice articles. They jumped out at me mostly because they are so relevant to how I am feeling right now. The articles ranged from how to deal with moving back in with your parents (a really difficult task to do once you've learnt how to live by yourself and without the constant supervision of your parents) and what to do after university ends.
That's the biggest issue I'm confronted with right now.
How do I deal with the black hole left behind now that university has ended?
I need not worry. There's a guide! A handy online pamphlet that is filled with delightful posters that seem to be personally directed at me.
"That was good. Now what?"
I don't know, mystical guidebook. That's the main issue right now. I feel directionless, without a purpose. I don't know how to start on making a career for myself.
"All of a sudden it feels a bit like you're floating in space, a bit directionless."
I said that already. Any other gems?
"Keep going. Have faith."
Sarcasm aside, it's reassuring to hear that what I'm going through is a perfectly normal process and that other people are probably suffering in the same manner I am. Sometimes it feels like you're the dud, the one person in the world who screwed up and can't get a job, can't settle into life after university properly. It's harder still when you see your coursemates and roommates buzzing around, being successful and achieving all manner of exciting things.
Apparently I don't need to despair.
That won't stop me, but I will focus my mind a little more on resources available to me online.
Here's to More Beans!
The Bane of Job Searching
References.
They have got to be one of the biggest obstacles a jobseeker has to overcome in order to find employment, especially if they have just left school or university and have little or no previous experience in the working world. To even get your foot in the door you need to offer up at least two people who aren't related to you who'll say nice things about you on your behalf. This leaves teachers/lecturers to offer character assurances, which can be especially tricky the longer you are unemployed and out of school/university. In that situation you are dependent upon references from work colleagues or managers.
Except, how do you get these references if you've never worked? And how do you get a job if you don't have references? Enter a paradox, a cruel cycle that sees you looping back around on yourself like some Satanic flow chart. How do you ever get off the starting line if nobody will let you start?
There's volunteering, I guess. Offering yourself up to a charity or an organisation for a month or two until you have that experience you're so lacking and a referee to boot. Sometimes even that's hard, the issue of previous experience and references cropping up in the world of volunteering too. Also, since there are other people in the same boat as you, volunteering can be competitive and fighting for a work experience placement as difficult as landing a paid job. You expend the same amount of effort and reap no rewards, just a "go straight to the starting line" card.
Go to university and get a degree. Wait, you need a degree AND experience. You have experience. Uh-uh, to progress you need a degree. You've got only one reference. No, can't have that. You need TWO, go away and come back when you've got another one.
I'm starting to think that mid-life crises can happen pretty early on in life. Actually, a more accurate term would be existential crisis, a meltdown that adults in their early twenties have to wade through in order to reach their dream destination. Until then, the twenty-somethings have to survive the job market while doubt plagues them and makes them question their worth, life choices and direction.
I know I'm doubting myself.
They have got to be one of the biggest obstacles a jobseeker has to overcome in order to find employment, especially if they have just left school or university and have little or no previous experience in the working world. To even get your foot in the door you need to offer up at least two people who aren't related to you who'll say nice things about you on your behalf. This leaves teachers/lecturers to offer character assurances, which can be especially tricky the longer you are unemployed and out of school/university. In that situation you are dependent upon references from work colleagues or managers.
Except, how do you get these references if you've never worked? And how do you get a job if you don't have references? Enter a paradox, a cruel cycle that sees you looping back around on yourself like some Satanic flow chart. How do you ever get off the starting line if nobody will let you start?
There's volunteering, I guess. Offering yourself up to a charity or an organisation for a month or two until you have that experience you're so lacking and a referee to boot. Sometimes even that's hard, the issue of previous experience and references cropping up in the world of volunteering too. Also, since there are other people in the same boat as you, volunteering can be competitive and fighting for a work experience placement as difficult as landing a paid job. You expend the same amount of effort and reap no rewards, just a "go straight to the starting line" card.
Go to university and get a degree. Wait, you need a degree AND experience. You have experience. Uh-uh, to progress you need a degree. You've got only one reference. No, can't have that. You need TWO, go away and come back when you've got another one.
I'm starting to think that mid-life crises can happen pretty early on in life. Actually, a more accurate term would be existential crisis, a meltdown that adults in their early twenties have to wade through in order to reach their dream destination. Until then, the twenty-somethings have to survive the job market while doubt plagues them and makes them question their worth, life choices and direction.
I know I'm doubting myself.
Misadventures with a Dog
Yesterday a doggy drama unfolded, which also coincided with my parents going away on a day-trip, leaving my sister and I to deal with our wounded pupster. It started out with our little Westie limping and then plain refusing to walk on one of his front paws. This required an appointment with the vet that my sister and I had to oversee.
I am convinced that veterinary doctors are trained in rip-off artistry, because how else can a consultation cost £26? And of course you're going to stump up the costs because you love your pet and will pay whatever the vet tells you do in order to ensure they are comfortable and well. I feel bad for you if your pet actually needs treatment. Apparently bandages can be very expensive. The reasoning remains a mystery.
Matters weren't helped by the fact our vet seemed a little cuckoo. He laughed after after statement, which made the whole situation 100x more creepy than it needed to be. He didn't even laugh heartily. It was a breathy little thing, the kind you get from someone who hasn't socialised with other human beings in, well, ever. The fact that my younger sister and I were in charge of the situation was bad enough, without creepy little laughs and the like.
In the end it turned out that our dog has a wound in his paw, which has been there for a while and has become infected as a consequence. Cue poorly dog that has now become suspicious of our every action, no matter how well meaning.
The best part was when he peed in the middle of the vet's waiting room. He always wees inappropriately whenever we make him endure something he hates, like haircuts. We decided to take him to Pets at Home after his ordeal in order to buy him a treat, except he decided to repeat his inappropriate peeing all over a display of dog beds. We didn't stick around the store after that.
It's always a fun time when you head out into town with a dog.
I am convinced that veterinary doctors are trained in rip-off artistry, because how else can a consultation cost £26? And of course you're going to stump up the costs because you love your pet and will pay whatever the vet tells you do in order to ensure they are comfortable and well. I feel bad for you if your pet actually needs treatment. Apparently bandages can be very expensive. The reasoning remains a mystery.
Matters weren't helped by the fact our vet seemed a little cuckoo. He laughed after after statement, which made the whole situation 100x more creepy than it needed to be. He didn't even laugh heartily. It was a breathy little thing, the kind you get from someone who hasn't socialised with other human beings in, well, ever. The fact that my younger sister and I were in charge of the situation was bad enough, without creepy little laughs and the like.
In the end it turned out that our dog has a wound in his paw, which has been there for a while and has become infected as a consequence. Cue poorly dog that has now become suspicious of our every action, no matter how well meaning.
The best part was when he peed in the middle of the vet's waiting room. He always wees inappropriately whenever we make him endure something he hates, like haircuts. We decided to take him to Pets at Home after his ordeal in order to buy him a treat, except he decided to repeat his inappropriate peeing all over a display of dog beds. We didn't stick around the store after that.
It's always a fun time when you head out into town with a dog.
The Perks of an Obsessive Personality
I have some amazing news to share with you all:
MERLIN RETURNS TO OUR SCREENS ON 6TH OCTOBER 2012!
Yes, fellow Merthur-shippers, our favourite Dragonlord and his bossy king return to our screens next week. Next Saturday. One Saturday (and an emotionally charged episode of Doctor Who) stands between us and a set of thirteen new episodes of Merlin.
I am so excited that words aren't sufficient enough to describe or capture said excitement. I am mute from excitement. I am actually typing this post out with my head. Not really, but I do seriously squeal whenever the trailer comes onto TV. That said, I squeal whenever I go onto the Merlin tag on Tumblr, squeak whenever I see Colin Morgan's face, weep insistently whenever I see Bradley and Colin together, and ship Merthur so hard that I swear my heart is in danger of exploding into a million tiny shards.
Yes, I am an obsessive fan.
I don't do things in halves. I either commit wholly or not at all. I submerge myself into all forms of fiction completely, even if that means taking an emotional battering when my favourites get hurt or die or some other crazy thing happens to them. I choose my television shows, books, films, bands and video games really carefully. Then I become obsessed and committed to these characters 510%.
Yeah, yeah. That doesn't make sense, but then being a fan doesn't either.
Merlin has been in my life a relatively short time, but you wouldn't think it when you hear me talk about it. I've been a fan for less than a year. I know, right? Yet I shipped Merthur almost from the start, fell in love with the cast and characters, loved the look and the stories, and started watching it weekly in diehard fan-mode. For those not in the know, this means watching a show AS IT AIRS not later on catch-up or on Sky+ or the equivalent BECAUSE THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH. I need to know what happened as soon as it is humanly possible to know what happened, which means watching the episode as it airs, then repeatedly watching it, talking about it and blogging about it.
Not in such a crazy manner, mind. I am a controlled obsessive fan who specifically directs my adoration and emotions in a specific place.
When I like a show, I really like a show.