To worry I'm going to be stuck in a dead end minimum wage job forever

[jemenfiche]

Retraining is definitely not an option.

I have a degree but for a myriad of reasons can't really use it for anything purposeful.

Am in a minimum wage job. I never used to mind but recently things have changed at the company I work for and now it's just awful and I've been in tears most days this week

I really need inspiration for something else I can do before I go crazy

[ImperialBlether]

What would you like to do? I think you can get through this sort of thing if you think it's temporary.

What was your degree in? What are your interests? Do you have children?

[FiveFullFathoms]

What do you do currently OP?

What would you like to do?

[FruitCider]

We make our own fate in this life. It's you that needs to make changes.

What do you see yourself doing? Where would you like to be?

[Out2pasture]

what is your degree in? what is the next job you see yourself doing should this one end?

[jemenfiche]

I can't really think of anything I'd like to do that wouldn't involve retraining unfortunately but a job that doesn't make me both angry and upset might be good! I don't have any children.

[bananapeanut]

What's your degree?

[jemenfiche]

It's in English but is pretty old now!

[Jaimx86]

Why can't you retrain?

[JackieAndHyde4eva]

You dont have children so youre pretty flexible with travelling, hours etc.

What about TEFL somewhere further afield?

[jemenfiche]

Yeah I know Jackie but I still need someone to actually employ me. I can't really afford to retrain. It is a lot of money.

[JackieAndHyde4eva]

What is your current job and why is it awful? Maybe if we can work from there we can eliminate anything similar.

[jemenfiche]

Well, I don't really want to say to be honest because I'm worried about identification. It's primarily awful because of client attitudes, hugely antisocial working hours, low pay, awful working conditions ... You get the picture! It's more than JSA I suppose :)

[Drogon]

jemenfiche I totally could have written your thread! No advice but &

[Out2pasture]

in a dream world if money was no option what would you like to do?

[wobblywonderwoman]

English is a good degree to have.

Why can't you retrain? I would if I was in your position.

TEFL would be a great option, as suggested. I did it for a while and loved it.

[Heatherbell1978]

I think it sounds like one step at a time. If you're in a customer service job and have an English degree, you have transferable skills and you should be able to put a CV together, if you need to exaggerate slightly then fine. Why not start by moving to a better company with more normal hours first, even if it's a similar role. At least then you could start somewhere with a decent employer. Bigger companies will pay for you to get qualifications and skills so that could be an option?

[jemenfiche]

Well, not trying to be negative but unfortunately normal hours don't exist in my role. I couldn't do tefl - I don't have enough of a grip of English grammar, although that may sound strange; I have a very literary background. I can't afford to retrain, it's very expensive.

[Jaimx86]

What class is your degree?

[jemenfiche]

2:1 :)

I do have a brain, but still, it's not enough.

[throwingpebbles]

A lot of big organisations will train you up if they like you and you are a hard worker.

Quite a few people in my current job started with very entry level roles (reception, admin) and made a good impression as hard workers and been trained into "career" roles

Hint: try public sector / local govt

[spookyelectric]

You can get student finance loans for masters degrees from this year. There are bursaries to help with doing PGCE's. You could volunteer in your free time in an area you are interested in, gain experience and then retrain at postgrad level in that. (one of my friend's has a media studies degree and post uni worked in shops - DFS etc. but got some unpaid work experience helping an Occupational therapist and is now studying to be one herself) Very few peers have ended up in jobs related to their degree - the happiest are doing work related to interests they have developed.

Could you move? I went to uni in a place with very high graduate unemployment and saved (gave up my social life) so I could move to London to get higher paid and higher level work.

Is there a hobby or something you fancy doing as a business/self employed - you can get working tax credit and HB while you build your business (if you are over 24). There are free/ low fee short courses on how to start a business at lots of FE colleges.

[AristotlesTrousers]

Don't forget you can get a postgraduate loan now, OP. Might be worth a look?

[JackieAndHyde4eva]

Ok retraining officially may be too expensive but there are oodles of free courses and course materials online nowadays for anyone who wants and has the motivation to use them. But you have to actively go and look for them. If your grasp of english grammar isnt good then improve it. You dont need a lecture hall to do that. Self teaching is a thing. And tbh anyone who isnt trying that first nowadays is a mug IMO. There is a wealth of knowledge out there for free if you have the internet.

[AristotlesTrousers]

Crossed posts!

[mrgrouper]

I have a degree and am doing teacher training. You could try that. Other option is being self employed.