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just graduated-minimum wage job?

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Reply 20

faber niger

evil groove

Reading this I'm glad I didn't do a humanities degree :frown:

You should do a degree that you're interested in, not just something that will get you a good job. It's your life, and it would be awful if everyone made such compromises with it.

(But then I'm doing Classics, so maybe I'm just justifying my own lack of vocationalism!)

Reply 21

evil groove

jismith1989

You should do a degree that you're interested in, not just something that will get you a good job. It's your life.

(But then I'm doing Classics, so maybe I'm just justifying my own lack of vocationalism!)

I know that :smile:

I'm glad that the degree that I was wholly interested in was a science degree :p:

Reply 22

faber niger

Oh, erm... here's another thought: how about doing the Graduate Diploma in Law (only one year long so not too expensive) and then you could become a solicitor or even a barrister (though you must be aware that the latter option is very competitive, but by no means impossible)?

I'm hoping to become a barrister after my Classics degree; although I want to do a 2-year-long full degree in Law, because I'm crazy!

Reply 23

Alasdair

Why don't you just get a temp job for starters, and while you're doing that, look around for 'proper' jobs, of which there are quite a few... Not every 'proper' job is with a graduate scheme at a big bank...

Reply 24

faber niger

Alasdair

And you call yourself a member of the Socialist Society. :p:

Off topic, I know, but hey...

Reply 25

probablyprocrastinating

I reckon the best thing to do would be to check out things like graduatejobs.com and graduate-fasttrack.com. The first is all sectors and the second specialises in headhunting and sales. There are other such websites for other specialisms and they're (obviously!) catered to graduates!

You definitely shouldn't be settling for such low wages - you have a really good degree!

Also, you could still take advantage of the careers service at your university even though you've graduated. It would be useful to ask them for some advice.

In the mean time if you're short of cash while you're looking for something more permanent and don't want to get stuck in admin, temping agencies are a good idea and will often take you with no experience if you target specific ones. Try reed, adecco and office angels.

Good luck!

Reply 26

Gaylei

id like to say, my 1st job after graduating with a 2.2 paid my 16k a year and now 2 years later im on 23k a year, so with a 2.1 your far more likely to get a good well paid job!

Reply 27

Albiceleste

Are you having a laugh? you were clever enough to get a 2.1 in history, from Durham, and yet you really think you should be aiming at 9k a year office jobs? Jesus Christ, what is wrong with you? There are thousands of graduare opportunities and schemes! Any law firm would consider you with that, as would any of the financial services firms (PWC etc), as would banks, as would management consultancies, as would teaching...really, I can't believe you are thinking about minimum wage drivel!!!

Reply 28

Alasdair

jismith1989

And you call yourself a member of the Socialist Society. :p:

Off topic, I know, but hey...

Reply 29

faber niger

Alasdair

Well, after getting a very good degree, some would argue that doing temp work will make it hard for her to escape from such an exploitative situation (i.e. being sold to whomever needs cheap labour, with poor remuneration). And she's obviously (or I'm 90% certain at least) working- or lower-middle-class, which is most probably why she has such low expectations for herself anyway; I think it would be awful for her to fulfil such expectations.

But, yeah, let's leave the Marxist doctrine for another time! :smile:

Reply 30

34253

OP, does Durham not have a careers advice centre that can help you out? I wasn't even on min wage at 16 when I only had GCSEs so I suggest you don't settle for such a pittance for all your hard work. If Durham aren't any help perhaps check out www.milkround.com. If you have a history degree have you considered being a lawyer or a barrister? Either way get your arse onto a graduate scheme!

Reply 31

WOLLSMOTH

Alasdair

Glad you detected my sarcasm Lol. How can the OP expect a high paying job with a useless history degree

Reply 32

faber niger

WOLLSMOTH

Glad you detected my sarcasm Lol. How can the OP expect a high paying job with a useless history degree

Et ne pourquoi pas?

Reply 33

Quady

well actually its a pretty good degree 2.1 history durham
None of those points are 'bad things'
And thats a scientist saying that :P

Reply 34

WOLLSMOTH

jismith1989

Et ne pourquoi pas?

It's as useless as an English degree, thats why.

Reply 35

faber niger

WOLLSMOTH

It's as useless as an English degree, thats why.

No, no, no. There a loads of graduate schemes which treat all degrees equally. For example, business schemes, the Civil Service, Law conversion.

A 2.1 from Durham in any subject is most definitely respectable and worthy of a good job.

Reply 36

john williams

You dont really sound like uv done much research and to get a job on a grad scheme can take alot of effort! If you dont know what you want to do, like said above visit websites like milkround.com and jobprospects and go through their vacancies and APPLY..most have now shut and will reopen in Sept but some remain. Even within a MNC there are many areas which you can work in like marketing, finance, research, supply chain management etc, so welcomes any degree. You need to get off your backside and do something and even while your waiting think about what uv done b4 and what you go out of it, as most use competency interviews.

Reply 37

foxo

Are you mad? My first job without experience and straight after school was in a call centre, and including commission paid around £17k. I'm sure you could do something far better with yourself.

Reply 38

erica123

Quady

Yea but seriously, what do you want to do for the next 40 years?

Office work won't help if you want to be a paramedic.

That needs to be your first priority.

thanks, that's a good point. well- i think i would ultimately like to do something office related i guess! not too much stress. :smile:

Reply 39

erica123

Loochery

I'm in a similar position. I've got a 2:1 in English Language and Linguistics and have found myself applying for EVERY job I find, even if it's not related to my degree. It's so frustrating! Despite applying for grad schemes since last year I have nothing. I'm starting to get seriously paranoid about my CV.

I too have been applying for admin jobs which I know I'll hate, but everyone has to start somewhere I guess.

thanks for the reply- its nice to know that im not alone in my situation.grad schemes are exteremely competitive- don't let rejection get u down.
best of luck with finding a job too!