[Teatania]

Article here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/higher-edu...ent?CMP=twt_gu

What do you think? Should the guy buck up and get over it? After all, he has only been on JSA for three months. Or do you think there is more that the Job Centre should try and do to try and match a person's qualifications?

Personally, I can sympathise. While I understand the importance of actively seeking any job whilst on JSA I can't help but free that there is more emphasis on making sure that every potential employer is thoroughly harassed rather than focusing on one promising job at a time. I am on JSA at the moment but recently had an interview, (which I organised myself outside of the Job Centre), for a job exactly suited to my qualifications, experience and interests. The interview occurred on one of my signing days and beforehand the Job Centre said it "was not a valid reason to miss a signing and did not qualify for a holiday form". Really? They would rather have me sign a piece of paper and search for Wineflair jobs on their website than attend an interview for a proper job. I went to the interview anyway and explained to another member of staff the next day about my circumstances, which they understood.

But anyway, I'm going off topic. My point is, do you agree with myself and the article that the 'legitimate uses of time as an 'unemployee', as dictated by the Job Centre are unsuitable and unhelpful for an academic?
Or are we all just being too picky?

[...mo...]

PhD --> JSA

What is happening in society!

[ForKicks]

(Original post by ...mo...)
PhD --> JSA

What is happening in society!

What was his PhD in? I can't seem to find it in the article and it is pretty important!

[Norton1]

(Original post by ForKicks)
What was his PhD in? I can't seem to find it in the article and it is pretty important!

Sociology.

First paragraph:

Passing my viva without corrections was just the latest addition to a spotless educational record. Despite any initial fears, my work was warmly-received and plans were quickly put in motion to transform the thesis into a book. This was the final validation from colleagues and mentors who had long assured me that I would have a bright future as a sociologist.

[River85]

(Original post by ForKicks)
What was his PhD in? I can't seem to find it in the article and it is pretty important!

First paragraph, "This was the final validation from colleagues and mentors who had long assured me that I would have a bright future as a sociologist". Although it is not clear, and perhaps not relevant, what his thesis was, and his research interest within sociology are.

I have some sympathy. Jobcentre staff are quite frankly useless when dealing with anyone who has qualifications and wants something more than shop work, or admin work at best. They often assume that all JSA claimants have no qualifications.

However, by his own admission he admits he did not prioritise or show interest in performing the various tasks that are needed to enhance his employability and chances of becoming employed as an academic. Not just research, writing articles, and attending conferences, but also teaching and admin. Finding an academic post, particularly a full time, permanent post, is incredibly tough and, going by this article alone, he hasn't taken the sufficient preparation. Unfortunately a PhD and well received thesis may not be enough.

He can't expect the state to subsidise his quest for an academic job, which he will perhaps never get.

[ForKicks]

(Original post by Norton1)
Sociology.

First paragraph:

Heh, I will admit skim reading on a Friday is my greatest weakness .

I have a suspicion that it being Sociology may have something to do with the lack of job offers. I can say that we don't know what his thesis is though... right?

[River85]

(Original post by ForKicks)
Heh, I will admit skim reading on a Friday is my greatest weakness .

I have a suspicion that it being Sociology may have something to do with the lack of job offers. I can say that we don't know what his thesis is though... right?

It seems that he's looking for an academic job, and that's what he's spending the greatest amount of time and effort in research and applications, so I'm not sure it's fair to criticise the subject.

[wanderlust.xx]

(Original post by Teatania)
Article here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/higher-edu...ent?CMP=twt_gu

What do you think? Should the guy buck up and get over it? After all, he has only been on JSA for three months. Or do you think there is more that the Job Centre should try and do to try and match a person's qualifications?

I think he should have predicted the job market from earlier on or at least tried to accommodate for the worst case scenario. After all, since the recession in 2007, it's been 5 years - back then he was most likely finishing up his undergrad and he should have at least tried the working world. Anyway, no use banging on about the past. Can't do much about it.

It is, however, a sad reality. It is now more important to know people in high places and kiss arse than it is to have a legitimate passion for anything. Why? So your CV looks good.

All you need are interviews, then it's just a matter of time until you get something.

[ForKicks]

(Original post by River85)
It seems that he's looking for an academic job, and that's what he's spending the greatest amount of time and effort in research and applications, so I'm not sure it's fair to criticise the subject.

True, but Sociology is still subject to demand for their expertise in an area of research.

[...mo...]

(Original post by ForKicks)
What was his PhD in? I can't seem to find it in the article and it is pretty important!

I think it is sociology

[River85]

(Original post by ForKicks)
True, but Sociology is still subject to demand for their expertise in an area of research.

What do you mean?