Apparently it's my fault I'm an unemployed graduate...

I'm sick and tired of being told it's my own fault for being an unemployed graduate and people giving me obvious "advice" which is frankly patronising and insulting to my intelligence...

I have done everything I possibly can to gain employment.

I graduated from a political science degree a couple of years ago. During this time I did an intern-ship with a major charity. I then worked briefing abroad, just office work before coming back to the UK and working for another well established charity. I have volunteered/went on various training courses with many different organisations since then, and currently "work" (get paid £16 per week) as a "Project Manager". I earn less then I would if I claimed Job seekers :frown:

I want to work in human rights, such as for UN/Amnesty International/Women's Aid etc. And have sent of tons of applications. I have had a couple of interviews, but was told someone had more experience then me.

There is no way I can afford further education, or intern ships as I live up North...

What more can I do?! I had to have counselling due to the soul destroying-ness of being unemployed, and then to be told you must be doing something wrong... :eek:

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Reply 1

Robbie242

Been blunt here but political science isn't the most useful thing to get a degree in, you should've known that you'd have more trouble than others securing a job. A degree doesn't give you instant access to jobs, you need to keep working at it and get more experience and become what employers want (otherwise they would've taken you by now)

Reply 2

consumed by stuff

Just get a simple admin, catering or retail job. Keep on applying for jobs you actually want. Applying for jobs isn't a job. Maybe change your focus for a little bit life. Sometimes its good to lower your expectations when your down.

Reply 3

Free.Help

Original post by Robbie242

But I want a job in a charity setting i.e. Red Cross perhaps so I think a political science is a decent degree?

What more could I possibly have done? During my degree I volunteered and did internships. As soon as I left university I volunteered, I secured a temp. Job, I even moved abroad to gain more experience and since then have done tons of volunteering (to the point of a full time job) done any training course etc. going, and even work in a charity part time, to do so I have had to give up getting any sort of money.

I have experience, both paid and unpaid.

Reply 4

Free.Help

Original post by consumed by stuff

I currently work as a waitress but obviously I can't progress in that field.

And I have been applying, even for jobs which are pretty lowly paid, i.e. non graduate jobs going for £13,000 just to get experience in my sector but nothing. It's been more then a year of constanlty applying. It's making me literary go ga-ga :tongue:

Reply 5

Qtj987

Don't be too hard on yourself. Not your fault... Just keeep trying :smile:

Reply 6

username1221160

It is difficult to get a job in the third sector, particularly the big charities, unless you are going for charity shop managers etc. Unfortunately there are lots of very well qualified graduates chasing few jobs. Those who I have seen try and succeed have done so because they have specific qualifications e.g. a finance masters for a finance job or a computer-related degree for website design.

Reply 7

ForgetMe

It's not your fault but employers who are too fussy.

Reply 8

Kvothe the Arcane

Original post by ForgetMe

It's not your fault but employers who are too fussy.

I don't think that's the reason....

Reply 9

Free.Help

Original post by keromedic

I don't think that's the reason....

Then what is the reason?

Reply 10

Kvothe the Arcane

Original post by Free.Help

Then what is the reason?

There are probably equally qualified and experienced ppl applying for the same roles, as has been mentioned, as opposed to employers being fussy.

Reply 11

tengentoppa

Original post by Free.Help

Then what is the reason?

We're just recovering from the Great Recession, and unemployment is still a serious issue. There are people who failed to get jobs when they graduated 3 years ago, and are still going for entry-level jobs. Faced with the competition of people with more experience than you, it's not surprising that you're struggling.

Reply 12

ForgetMe

Original post by keromedic

There are probably equally qualified and experienced ppl applying for the same roles, as has been mentioned, as opposed to employers being fussy.

No, some employers are fussy. I've seen jobs which would only look for specific gender people even though the job can be done to a high standard by both genders. Isn't that fussy? E.g. employer looking for female shop assistant when both genders can do the job perfectly, yet they want women and I guess for which reason :erm:

Or employers want someone with years of experience when everything can be learnt within a week.

Reply 13

KICHMYARSE

are you willing to pay for an unpaid internship in your chosen area? off the top of my thing, i can think of 2 agencies that are brilliant at arranging unpaid internships. but they wont do it for free. this will give you relevant experience.

Reply 14

Free.Help

Original post by KICHMYARSE

So now I'm supposed to PAY to work for FREE? I've heard everything now :tongue:

Reply 15

Free.Help

Original post by tengentoppa

I understand. It's just so tiring, I've run out of options and my mental health is suffering, I'm so defensive about my intelligence now, which I never used to be, and the soul destroying thought that things might never change makes me really depressed.

I know others in my situation as well, which helps knowing I'm not alone :smile:

Reply 16

Free.Help

Original post by keromedic

There are probably equally qualified and experienced ppl applying for the same roles, as has been mentioned, as opposed to employers being fussy.

That's true :frown:

I just wish I could get something, I would move anywhere in the world, I just want to progress, rather then stand still, or god forbid, start to move backwards!

Reply 17

KICHMYARSE

Original post by Free.Help

So now I'm supposed to PAY to work for FREE? I've heard everything now :tongue:

you think thats silly. but check this one out. city-internship.com

there was an article about a Cambridge man who secured an internship in Richard Branson finance office through this agency. yes, i read.

but its pricey isnt it.

intern group (theinterngroup.com) gives you an international exposure. you also get to live in a foreign country. word on the street is they have extensive list of contacts and you get to do an internship at a good company.

money buys a lot.

just a note: i am not a recruiter or a person that works in that industry. i am not advertising these agencies. i am an ex-athlete who researched vert hard about my career option when it became apparent that i didnt make the cut.

Reply 18

Free.Help

Original post by KICHMYARSE

For one, you sound like a recruiter.

Number two, that is probably illegal and certainly immoral! To work for free is a big enough ask, especially as I would never be able to afford it! Did you read my post about having less money then if I were claiming JSA (THAT'S LESS MONEY THEN £56 A WEEK!).

I have no money. None. Not even enough to socialise or buy clothes. Just enough to eat. And now I'm supposed to PAY to work for FREE... :confused:

Reply 19

silverbolt

Original post by Free.Help

I work in retail. Do i want to - hell no, - but jobs are scarce so you take what you can get. Find a call centre and get a job there, you can still do your charity - (i do both plus a course retraining to get a better paid job)