Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you could employ my sister?

37 replies

TheCharWoman · 03/07/2013 19:46

My sister is 25, graduated 3 years ago with a 2.1 and has been working in a shop ever since. She has been messed around (repeatedly promised promotions, etc, but never happened. Invited to go for the co's grad recruitment scheme but got no further).

A month ago, I convinced her to leave because the job (and the manager in particular) was destroying her. I thought she needed The Fear.

She now had no job. Has applied for loads and getting nowhere.
Grad jobs say - well, why have you worked p/t in a shop for 3 years.
Non-grad jobs say - well, you'll probably leave.

Her confidence is now vv low, but she will do anything.
Anyone in Bournemouth/Southampton/London area have a vacancy (or work exp op) for a bright, pleasant hardworking 25 year old who just needs a break?

Or does anyone have any advice on what she should do now?

OP posts:
meatloaf · 03/07/2013 19:48

I am not recruiting, but what kind of work is she looking for? WHat did she graduate in?

VacantExpression · 03/07/2013 19:48

I can't help I'm sorry but you sound like a lovely sister xx

lougle · 03/07/2013 19:49

So you encouraged her to leave a job with no prospects for another job? When the press is constantly highlighting how difficult it is for anyone to get any job?

Not wise advice.

My advice would be: Get a job, any job, and then it will be easier to get another job.

OwlinaTree · 03/07/2013 19:49

What was her degree in?

NotYoMomma · 03/07/2013 19:49

leaving a job with no job to goto in this economy was highly irresponsible and you shouldnt have encouraged it.

it is easier to gain employment while in employment and a gap in her CV will not help matters.

I dont live in the area but I would highly recommend that she volunteers somewhere in order to keep her skills up to date

what is her degree in and what field is she interested in?

Original poster
TheCharWoman · 03/07/2013 19:52

Thanks for the quick responses. Degree was in Psychology, she would ideally like to work in education (has volunteered for 3 years in a school alongside her job).

I understand the comments re leaving her job. Sadly her working environment had become untenable after a recent management change (25% of the shop's staff left in the same week she did) and the job had become impossible.

OP posts:
JudyGellar · 03/07/2013 19:54

If she wants to work in education, why isn't she applying for the postgrad teaching qualification?

aldiwhore · 03/07/2013 19:57

Has she been back to her University's careers team?

I left Uni 11 years ago, last year I attended (for free) a Graduate Head Start program which helped me target the right jobs, approach in the right way, and market myself. I now have a job, it's not a great job but it's a busy one, plenty of training and inspiration.

Perhaps your sister's University offers a similar scheme.

I'm afraid you gave her bad advice to quit her job, though I understand why you did it.

CailinDana · 03/07/2013 19:57

Would she consider doing a funded phd? Tell her to have a look on jobs.ac.uk and see if any of the projects appeal to her.

Original poster
TheCharWoman · 03/07/2013 20:00

She has applied for PGCEs every year - she is always told she does not have enough experience.
I will suggest she contacts her uni's careers service, thanks - we assumed it was too late as it were.

OP posts:
hermioneweasley · 03/07/2013 20:00

Agree with JudyGellar.

You say she has applied for grad jobs - are these specific graduate schemes or just jobs suitable for a graduate?

LadyPeterWimsey · 03/07/2013 20:04

There's three TA jobs at my DCs primary school in Southampton that have recently come up. Could be a route to a PGCE.

PM me if you would like the name of the school.

HooverFairy · 03/07/2013 20:05

She needs to apply to LEAs or to schools directly if they are an Academy requesting details of the GTP schemes, lots have been stopped now due to funding but there are still opportunities out there. There are also Cover Supervisers in most secondary schools, it's the best way to get some classroom experience.

drivingmisspotty · 03/07/2013 20:07

Wow, really surprised that three years volunteering in a school isn't enough experience to do a pgce. I'm a few years on now but sure I had friends with less than that do one. Have you seen any of her applications/checked how she is presenting herself? She could answer the questions in why she is coming to a grad scheme late or whether she will leave quickly in her app if she is canny. Also what about other work with kids? Teaching assistant? Nursery work? Summer play scheme? After school club?

Good luck to her, it is a hard situation.

KarlosKKrinkelbeim · 03/07/2013 20:12

Could she work in the Surrey/West Sussex area? If she could, I have an opportunity which may be of interest to her, and would provide valuable experience in the educational field. Do feel free to PM me.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 03/07/2013 20:13

Usually pgces just want a week's recent experience in a school. She could get that next week if you know any friendly teachers and be on a pgce by Sept (tda will be able tell you which ones have spaces)

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 03/07/2013 20:16

Sorry. Missed the bit about three years experience. I'm really surprised she hasn't got on pgces with that.

Original poster
TheCharWoman · 03/07/2013 20:16

Thanks, will send PMs.
Yes, I am worried that at this stage her application is clearly not cutting it. As I said, her confidence is at an all-time low. It really isn't as easy as just applying for a PGCE and getting on it these days sadly! Half the country's graduates want to do it I think.

OP posts:
lougle · 03/07/2013 20:16

Has she tried applying for LSA/TA jobs? Often in primaries these go to people who have volunteered for a while at that school.

Has she considered applying to one of the special schools?

There are 154 LSA jobs advertised in Hampshire right now.

Original poster
TheCharWoman · 03/07/2013 20:17

Applying for lots of TA jobs too - been 2nd on a few occasions apparently.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheCharWoman · 03/07/2013 20:17

Thanks for link to Hampshire gov - will look through

OP posts:
TacticalWheelbarrow · 03/07/2013 20:21

I don't understand why she has not been accepted for a PGCE place? She has more than enough experience from the 3 years of voluntary work. Maybe she needs to look over her personal statement or go through interview tips for going for PGCE placements.

Frenchvanilla · 03/07/2013 20:21

TeachFirst?

Cherriesarelovely · 03/07/2013 20:23

You are absolutely right that it isn't easy to get on a PGCE course now. We have had fantastic students that have helped at our school as part of their courses and in their own spare time and have been rejected. I cannot imagine why. Anyway, I would go the TA route if I were her, special schools would be and excellent start. I wish her every success, it is horrible being out of work and spending lots of time on applications and getting nowhere. Best of luck to her.

Phineyj · 03/07/2013 20:25

GTP is now called Schools Direct, however, I don't think Psychology will be an attractive degree unless she'd be prepared to teach a science or maths as well (but maybe it's primary she's interested in?)