Since i left university, it hasn't been easy in trying to find my correct career path. I've jumped from idea to idea, thinking of what i would like to do for a living. Like anyone i have ideals and preferences in what i want to do. I have always been interested in Graphic Design, making something aesthetically pleasing and also being able to communicate a message through different mediums has been a focal point in my life for the past 8-9 years now.
Ever since i was a a young boy, 10-11 years old at most, i wanted to be a policeman. Its always been something that appealed to me on a deeper level, i liked the idea of challenging myself both physically and mentally every day. I applied back in December 2008 during a Greater Manchester Police recruitment drive, i even went in late for work to make sure my application was all correct and that i was happy with my answers. I passed the initial paper sift but failed on the second stage, the competence based questions. By failing this application, i was unable to apply for another six months to any force. 6 months passed, i checked the recruitment website each day to see when they were recruiting but to no avail.
It was only recently that i was browsing the usual call center jobs and debt management assistant jobs on various different recruitment websites that i considered the armed forces. I never really felt comfortable on the idea of joining the Army so i automatically looked at both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. I took personality tests, IQ tests and a handful of different questionnaires that gave me a selection of positions i could consider applying for, one of them, happened to be an RAF Policeman. I read the job desription, a little biography by an operational policeman in the RAF and it seems like a job i would love to do. Something to feel enthusiastic about for sure.
It made me think that no matter what you study for or plan for, your path is never set. You have to work at every twist and turn your life can swing in front of you. You always have to think positive and consider all options, no matter how small or inconspicuous they seem to you. The RAF was never at the forefront of my mind when i left school or university , but now it has become the front runner in my career options, its the one that offers me the most optimism about mine and my fiances future. Ultimately that is my goal, to be a provider, a bread winner and have a feeling when i am older that i made the right choices.
But even now, i still don't know that this is the right choice...
and i wont until i do it...
10.3.10
6.3.10
Certain Degree of Dilution?
Each year around 80,000 newly graduated people walk out of university with a degree, and venture into the big wide world of work and employment. Or do they?
The question i have been asking recently is "Is a Degree still worth it?"
I left university with my HND (I know its not a degree!) and nearly £12,000 debt. I now work for a video store, earning national minimum wage and not one job that i have applied for has even been courteous enough to send me a rejection reply. I have applied for numerous positions, in different fields, on different websites, from different newspapers and not one has had the decency to get in touch and tell me "Thanks but no thanks".
Being frustrated has then led me to question whether i was right to leave my full time job to return to education? Based on the evidence that has happened over the last 2 years, i can't justify being debt ridden and in a dead end job. I know people who graduated their course, with honours in subjects such as Politics, and they work for national minimum wage and are not even full time. Potential is being wasted in low paid jobs and because 90% of companies are not willing to even consider someone who doesnt have relevant "work" experience, they are becoming dejected and feeling disillusioned.
I have a friend from college who went on to complete a BSc in Games Design at Bolton University. He has been unable to find any work what so ever since he left. Whilst he was at a meeting with his Job Center adviser, they told him his qualification wouldn't get him more than a meat packing job. I mean the guy has done a Bachelor of Science degree and can write program scripts, proficient in Animation techniques amongst other things, and they recommended he attend a basic computer knowledge course to "boost" his chance of bagging an IT job. He is probably more qualified at operating computer systems than anybody working at the Job Center.
I enjoyed every minute of my course at City College Manchester, i met some fantastic friends who i intend to stay in touch with for as long as humanly possible, so for that i am grateful, as for the piece of paper at the end of it? Up to now its the most expensive item i own, currently standing at nearly £12,000, and to other people, it seems worthless.
How can we encourage young people to gain extra qualifications when there are just no jobs available? Not unless you would like to work in an Inbound/Outbound call center, or would like to be a call center debt adviser?
The one thing i believe we need is more proactive careers advisers at all higher education colleges and Universities. I wasn't offered any help in pursing a career in graphic design, and i know it wont happen over night but a helping hand will never be turned away. If that service was there when i left, i was never told nor was i ever nudged towards it. I believe it should be a compulsory service to all leavers, although i understand that they will not be able to help everybody, if they help even 10% more people to find employment in their chosen field, it will have been worth it.
In the words of the mighty Tesco (and a very good copy-writer) "Every Little Helps".
Take Care
x
The question i have been asking recently is "Is a Degree still worth it?"
I left university with my HND (I know its not a degree!) and nearly £12,000 debt. I now work for a video store, earning national minimum wage and not one job that i have applied for has even been courteous enough to send me a rejection reply. I have applied for numerous positions, in different fields, on different websites, from different newspapers and not one has had the decency to get in touch and tell me "Thanks but no thanks".
Being frustrated has then led me to question whether i was right to leave my full time job to return to education? Based on the evidence that has happened over the last 2 years, i can't justify being debt ridden and in a dead end job. I know people who graduated their course, with honours in subjects such as Politics, and they work for national minimum wage and are not even full time. Potential is being wasted in low paid jobs and because 90% of companies are not willing to even consider someone who doesnt have relevant "work" experience, they are becoming dejected and feeling disillusioned.
I have a friend from college who went on to complete a BSc in Games Design at Bolton University. He has been unable to find any work what so ever since he left. Whilst he was at a meeting with his Job Center adviser, they told him his qualification wouldn't get him more than a meat packing job. I mean the guy has done a Bachelor of Science degree and can write program scripts, proficient in Animation techniques amongst other things, and they recommended he attend a basic computer knowledge course to "boost" his chance of bagging an IT job. He is probably more qualified at operating computer systems than anybody working at the Job Center.
I enjoyed every minute of my course at City College Manchester, i met some fantastic friends who i intend to stay in touch with for as long as humanly possible, so for that i am grateful, as for the piece of paper at the end of it? Up to now its the most expensive item i own, currently standing at nearly £12,000, and to other people, it seems worthless.
How can we encourage young people to gain extra qualifications when there are just no jobs available? Not unless you would like to work in an Inbound/Outbound call center, or would like to be a call center debt adviser?
The one thing i believe we need is more proactive careers advisers at all higher education colleges and Universities. I wasn't offered any help in pursing a career in graphic design, and i know it wont happen over night but a helping hand will never be turned away. If that service was there when i left, i was never told nor was i ever nudged towards it. I believe it should be a compulsory service to all leavers, although i understand that they will not be able to help everybody, if they help even 10% more people to find employment in their chosen field, it will have been worth it.
In the words of the mighty Tesco (and a very good copy-writer) "Every Little Helps".
Take Care
x
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