To be gutted and annoyed that DD did a degree and now works in Tesco?

[whitman]

DD is 21 and also pretty miserable. She has just had to up her hours at Tesco. She worked there part time while being a student and absolutely loved it for a part time job (only working 1 6 hour shift a week). She is in her 3rd full time week and hates it. She is really upset, to the point of tears. We all told her that she would be better doing a vocational degree (one that actually let to a job).

She applied for lots and lots of jobs that didn't even require a degree but definitely matched the sort of thing she studied.

She then applied to be an RSPCA officer, but unfortunately struggled at interview.

She did Biology with Animal Behaviour.

She doesn't have much work experience honestly.

It's just a shame that she spent all them years and money to end up doing the job she was doing before the degree.

She's very upset and is pretty miserable all the time. Is there hope for the future?

She’s 21. Don’t write her off! She’s got time to get more work experience, with maturity she’ll be better with interviews, she could do more study.

Has she had any careers advice?

Did she even think about her path into a chosen career.
A degree is just the start. She could have volunteered at uni at the local rspca or other charity?
She needs to make up her mind and be determined. Sadly a lot of volunteer work is involved. But that’s the same for everyone these days.

Yes of course there's hope! I would be looking at ways to increase her work experience/relevant experience in her own time. Can she volunteer doing something related to the work she wants to do?

Does Tesco have a leadership or other scheme for graduates that might interest her?

Her university will probably offer careers guidance to recent graduates as well - could be worth contacting them and seeing what advice she can get.

She needs interview practice. My dh went through the same after his degree. He lost all confidence and settled for a barista job. When we met I helped him apply for other jobs and we did lots of mock interviews at home. He is now really successful in his field. Tell her to keep applying for jobs and to practice interview questions. The more she does, the better she’ll get! Good luck.

She's 21! Lots of time to get into a job she enjoys.
I'd be encouraging her to only do Tescos part time and to look around to getting experience in things more related to what she does want to do with her life.

She did some trips on her degree and thought that would maybe be enough for her first job, especially as she wasn't desperate to have one that only graduates could have.

Think she'll have to look into doing frequent volunteering then. She tried getting on a zoo volunteering program, but again struggled at interview.

She does well in practise interview, etc. so I don't get why it seems to always go wrong there, maybe she just doesn't have enough experience to talk about.

Are there animal charities she can volunteer at? Try looking at the current job with a view of developing the skills she needs longer term.

Its tough with all fresh graduates coming out to the job market, does she have a clear idea of tje area she wants to work in?

Could she look for a funded PhD and pursue the academic route (provided she got at least a 2:1)? I know of a couple of people who did similar and who are now academic scientists in the area of animal behaviour.

She's got plenty of time to find her feet and find a position to suit her. Animal related jobs often have a lot of competition so worth seeing if she can get some help with interviewing

She does well in practise interview, etc. so I don't get why it seems to always go wrong there, maybe she just doesn't have enough experience to talk about.

It’s really hard to replicate the pressure of a real interview for something you really want to do. Nerves have a lot to answer for.

First, be proud that she is working and doing a full-time job.
Second, she's only just out of uni. Plenty of people take a couple of years before finding the right job. That doesn't mean her degree is wasted!
Third, if interviews are a problem, definitely see if you can help her find some help with this. The university careers office is a good place to start.
Fourth, the suggestions about volunteering are really worthwhile. Being proactive and getting things on a CV will help her a lot. Shows initiative and determination, as well as the actual experience.
Fifth, be supportive, not annoyed. It's tough out there, and it's not her fault. She's clearly been trying and needs help to keep persevering.

Christ Almighty. She's 21.

It’s not unreasonable for you to feel annoyed. So many poor kids have been sold the lie that going to university, at vast expense, will increase their earning potential enormously.

Can she try and get an internship at a vets to get experience? Probably unpaid but could work a few shifts at Tesco too?

volunteer work to get more relevant experience?

YANBU. There is of course nothing wrong with working in Tescos. A job is a job. Theres no ShAme In earning an honest living.
However if she wanted to work for tescos she wouldn't have gone to Uni.
One thing I will say though. It could be worse. She could be signing on. At least she has a job

Very very very few people walk into their dream career/job straight after university. Encourage her to get involved with voluntary working with animals, she can balance this alongside her hours at Tesco. Yes it'll be hard graft, but worth it in the end.

Don't let her feel your palpaple disappointment. She's 21. She's employed. She has a degree in an area she is interested in. It could be a lot 'worse.'

I remember phoning my older sister in tears after a particularly bad shift at the pub where I worked for a year after graduating, because I had "ended up working in a pub". She replied that nobody "ends up" anything at all at the age of 21. She pointed out that I was earning an honest wage and should be proud of myself for doing so, whilst I was taking the practical steps that I most certainly needed to take in order to move on.

So there's plenty that she has to do, but everything to go for. Please don't let her think she has "ended up" anywhere.

She's 21 of course there's hope but she needs to get off her bum and be proactive - a job isn't just going to land in her lap!!!

I’m sorry but the reality. Is she should have been doing all the volunteering in her spare time at uni. Now she’s in full time employment it will be harder.
But if she wants to be a manager and go up the ladder in a big company then she will probably be very successfull.

I work in a supermarket. Trust me, there are lots of new graduates in your dd s position. They do all move on eventually . Sometimes it takes time of the market is bad. Others have trained as managers. Don't worry x

She's 21 of course there's hope but she needs to get off her bum and be proactive - a job isn't just going to land in her lap!!!

She has been applying for jobs. She just hasn’t been successful yet.

Of course there is hope she's 21. In a way it's teaching her life is all about hard work a degree will not guarantee a job , even if you are perfect for a job you really have to show interviewer that you are the best . She's young and naive and so are you a bit tbh that expect to get a amazing job straight after uni . It may take a while in the meantime she's earning , get her to save and maybe apply for work experience it looks great on cv , travel , enjoy life. Give it 12 months but don't give up hope .

Thanks for the advice, very helpful.

Think the RSPCA, Wildlife Trust, etc. will be a good place to start.

She did consider further study, but is unsure how much that will open up her future right now? Some of the jobs she applied for pay less than what she gets now, but to her it's obviously just being about in a job that interests her. Would a masters help with that? She's had a couple of sarcastic responses with some of the jobs about her even having a degree and them saying "having the degree won't be what makes you go far".

I hate seeing her so upset. She purposely stays up so tomorrow comes slower for work and then she's tired. I hate it. I really just wanted her happy.

YABU... she only graduated a few months ago. Some people would still be going through the recruitment process for a career related to their vocational degree.