So…. What now?

[Livinthedream84]

I spent years bringing up our lovely kids then I felt I needed to work so I went to uni and got a first class degree a few years ago.

I had experience at placements but My industry suffered massive cuts at the start of my third year. When I graduated there were no jobs in my field up north and moving south wasn’t an option. I felt quite stressed (even depressed for a while) about it all but I picked myself up and went to study for a masters degree in something similar to my degree subject but would open more jobs to me.

After my masters I worked for a couple of months in my field but sure enough cuts came, I was made redundant and other jobs in the field were being given to those with 5 years + working experience, plus A Levels in the subject (which I don’t have)

Again, I found this hard but I pushed forward and decided to train to be a teacher. Everyone needs teachers right? Teaching jobs in my field are rare so I trained to be a science teacher. Science is a shortage subject (so the government say) and I received a bursary for my trouble (thanks government).

For the past few weeks there have been zero science teacher jobs not just in my city but in the whole county!! Like within a 30 mile radius! There is a shortage of jobs not teachers :(

I can’t drive right now and funds are tight. We can’t move away due to DH job and all our kids are in school and at serious levels in their education.

I can’t believe this is happening again :( I’m applying for jobs, any jobs, not just ones in my field. But it seems I’m over qualified, or I don’t have enough working experience. I have an NVQ Level 3, a first class degree, a masters and a PGCE but because I don’t have an a level or experience I seem to be on the scrap pile!

Does anyone have any advice? My degree is quite rare so I don’t want to say what it is as it might be outing but I’m aware this might make it hard to advise

Tia

You say “the past few weeks” - when did you start looking? This is rather late in the year to look for teacher jobs as the resignation date is May 31st so not many new jobs come on after that. Also, 30 miles isn’t all that far to look for jobs. Have you just qualified? You might need to sign on as supply - that’s a good way to get your foot in the door but I don’t know about the implications for your NQT year (which I don’t think is called that any more).

I have been looking since January. There have been 3 jobs since then. I’ve applied and no interview. 2 haven’t even got back to me (despite repeatedly asking) to give feedback. The school that did get back to me said I didn’t have enough experience, which of course I don’t I’m only training lol.

I can take long term supply for my early career pathway yes but even that’s thin on the ground. I have to do 2 years ‘NQT’ so i have been considering it. About 80% of my cohort this year don’t have jobs it’s quite scary.

You might want to re-post this in the staffroom topic? This one's for academics and the job advice is all different.

Yes, ask MNHQ to move your thread to the Staffroom, OP. Most of the posters on here work in university education, rather than schools, so you won't get much useful advice.

Thank you