Life after postgrad (Careers etc)
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Finished my Masters in 2012 and had to jack in my PhD last year effectively (suspended then withdrew).
Going with the flow has been the order of the day. I have a part-time job unrelated to my academic life for 11 hours a week. Pays just less than half my monthly bills, but I no longer have rent/mortgage (saving to pay off the mortgage was the only way I could afford uni in the first place). I'm picking up a series of short contracts in my field which I can work round the other job. Makes for six day weeks/60 hour weeks every so often, which is painful but do-able. Averaged over the past year I've earned enough to pay all the bills and have enough left over for the occasional curry out with mates. Holidays and savings are still too much of a luxury and I'm in trouble if the car breaks down!
However, this life of cobbling things together, seems to be working out for me so far. I love my chosen specialism. It may not always work for me, so I'm living in the moment and enjoying it while I can. I'm glad I didn't panic and head straight back to the safety of a full-time job doing something I dislike.
Going with the flow has been the order of the day. I have a part-time job unrelated to my academic life for 11 hours a week. Pays just less than half my monthly bills, but I no longer have rent/mortgage (saving to pay off the mortgage was the only way I could afford uni in the first place). I'm picking up a series of short contracts in my field which I can work round the other job. Makes for six day weeks/60 hour weeks every so often, which is painful but do-able. Averaged over the past year I've earned enough to pay all the bills and have enough left over for the occasional curry out with mates. Holidays and savings are still too much of a luxury and I'm in trouble if the car breaks down!
However, this life of cobbling things together, seems to be working out for me so far. I love my chosen specialism. It may not always work for me, so I'm living in the moment and enjoying it while I can. I'm glad I didn't panic and head straight back to the safety of a full-time job doing something I dislike.
I'm not postgrad yet, just about to start my masters but I sort of fell into what I really enjoy. I done my undergrad distance in psychology and criminology and in my final year applied randomly for an admin job. When I discovered the job was within a forensic mental health medium secure unit (though the job was with the third sector and not directly related) it was my in. I done admin for a year and done work to move into an advocacy position when one was available. I then took a job in a high secure unit again in advocacy but I know I want to work in forensic mental health either in a hospital or prison/court setting.
Luckily they have a masters programme through a uni here and although I have to self fund 😱 and its distance for 3 years it's definitely what I want to do. A lot of people who are trying to get into these environments or psychology jobs tend to do volunteer roles to get experience as the positions don't come up often. I'd recommend trying to volunteer in your chosen area to gain experience but I realise this is not viable in the long run usually. I suppose again I'm lucky that by the time I've completed this I'll have 6 years of experience in this environment which will be extremely helpful in the long term.
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Luckily they have a masters programme through a uni here and although I have to self fund 😱 and its distance for 3 years it's definitely what I want to do. A lot of people who are trying to get into these environments or psychology jobs tend to do volunteer roles to get experience as the positions don't come up often. I'd recommend trying to volunteer in your chosen area to gain experience but I realise this is not viable in the long run usually. I suppose again I'm lucky that by the time I've completed this I'll have 6 years of experience in this environment which will be extremely helpful in the long term.
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Original post by Becca9914
I'm not postgrad yet, just about to start my masters but I sort of fell into what I really enjoy. I done my undergrad distance in psychology and criminology and in my final year applied randomly for an admin job. When I discovered the job was within a forensic mental health medium secure unit (though the job was with the third sector and not directly related) it was my in. I done admin for a year and done work to move into an advocacy position when one was available. I then took a job in a high secure unit again in advocacy but I know I want to work in forensic mental health either in a hospital or prison/court setting.
Luckily they have a masters programme through a uni here and although I have to self fund 😱 and its distance for 3 years it's definitely what I want to do. A lot of people who are trying to get into these environments or psychology jobs tend to do volunteer roles to get experience as the positions don't come up often. I'd recommend trying to volunteer in your chosen area to gain experience but I realise this is not viable in the long run usually. I suppose again I'm lucky that by the time I've completed this I'll have 6 years of experience in this environment which will be extremely helpful in the long term.
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Luckily they have a masters programme through a uni here and although I have to self fund 😱 and its distance for 3 years it's definitely what I want to do. A lot of people who are trying to get into these environments or psychology jobs tend to do volunteer roles to get experience as the positions don't come up often. I'd recommend trying to volunteer in your chosen area to gain experience but I realise this is not viable in the long run usually. I suppose again I'm lucky that by the time I've completed this I'll have 6 years of experience in this environment which will be extremely helpful in the long term.
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Noob question but: what does forensic mental health mean/refer to?
6 years' experience will def put you in good stead
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Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
Noob question but: what does forensic mental health mean/refer to?
6 years' experience will def put you in good stead
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6 years' experience will def put you in good stead
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Not a noob question but Forensic mental health is those that have a mental health issue as well as a criminal background and are at risk of further offending. It's really interesting, I love working in that kind of environment. I think half the battle is finding something you love doing.
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Original post by Becca9914
Not a noob question but Forensic mental health is those that have a mental health issue as well as a criminal background and are at risk of further offending. It's really interesting, I love working in that kind of environment. I think half the battle is finding something you love doing.
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Oh wow! That sounds fascinating - must be a stimulating area to work in!
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Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
Absolutely, it has its challenges but it's really rewarding too 😄
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Oops, I've managed to schedule two interviews for the same day, two hours apart. One in London, one in Oxford...
Original post by Perfectly_Imperfect
Oops, I've managed to schedule two interviews for the same day, two hours apart. One in London, one in Oxford...
I'd try and do something about that. Even the train from Paddington would be cutting it fine. Good luck though for both
Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd I'd try and do something about that. Even the train from Paddington would be cutting it fine.
Good luck though for both
I'd try and do something about that. Even the train from Paddington would be cutting it fine. Good luck though for both
Yeah, gonna try and reschedule the one in Oxford, it will be impossible to do them both. The London one is a second interview and the Oxford one is an informal chat before the actual interview. It annoyed me a bit because Oxford is 100 miles away so it's hardly easy to pop in for a quick chat
Original post by Perfectly_Imperfect
Yeah, gonna try and reschedule the one in Oxford, it will be impossible to do them both. The London one is a second interview and the Oxford one is an informal chat before the actual interview. It annoyed me a bit because Oxford is 100 miles away so it's hardly easy to pop in for a quick chat
100 miles is a long way
Def try tying in some sightseeing if you are travelling that far to get there. It's very picturesque 
Update!
The Oxford job switched me to a phone interview which lasted 5 minutes and I didn't progress.
Got offered the London job and they have asked for reference details and sent me a contract to sign.
Two slight sticking points...
In my interview, they asked me when I could start, and I mentioned that I was away the first week of October but could start on the 10th, however I would need a few days off for my graduation on the 28th. This was fine. Completely forgot that I'm going away on November 17th for 2.5 weeks. Clearly not going to miss my holiday as it's already paid for but worried that they are going to withdraw my offer. I guess I need to tell them before returning the signed contract
On to the other sticking point, I've got an interview at another job, one which I think I prefer and would take it over the London job. However the interview isn't until Wednesday.. argh
The Oxford job switched me to a phone interview which lasted 5 minutes and I didn't progress.
Got offered the London job and they have asked for reference details and sent me a contract to sign.
Two slight sticking points...
In my interview, they asked me when I could start, and I mentioned that I was away the first week of October but could start on the 10th, however I would need a few days off for my graduation on the 28th. This was fine. Completely forgot that I'm going away on November 17th for 2.5 weeks. Clearly not going to miss my holiday as it's already paid for but worried that they are going to withdraw my offer. I guess I need to tell them before returning the signed contract
On to the other sticking point, I've got an interview at another job, one which I think I prefer and would take it over the London job. However the interview isn't until Wednesday.. argh
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