To think I won’t wver be able to get a good job

[Cleo2628]

Long story short -

Have an art/fashion type degree that I never did anything with. I tried for 2 years to get a job in the industry but no one wanted me. (Once as interview feedback I was told I was “too sweet”!?!)

So then decided to take another path and become a teacher. Did a year as a TA first to get experience but then fell pregnant.

Had my baby last year & now looking to get back into work. I have no idea what to do. :( I feel like I’ve messed my life up. I can’t train to be a teacher now as I can’t do all that work and hours + childcare. My DH has a very demanding job and is away often. What kind of job can I get? The only ones coming up online are minimum wage & just not a ‘career’ job as such. I feel very down and I think I’ve just messed up big time here.

Well, you can do all that work. I'm a lone parent with two sons. My job is demanding and I work long hours. I don't have any choice but to work. It's fine...

Is there anything else you enjoy doing? Could you perhaps do an online course or even volunteer somewhere that could open a few doors for you?

You could do a pgce or school based training then look for a part time position?

If you really want to do pgce you can. When I was doing mine a woman on course had 6 kids, youngest was 10months. It won't be easy, but would be worth it if it is what you wanted

Don't get a job, set up a business. Do it online, takes 30 minutes. Give it a funky name.
Set up a website - costs maybe a quid a month.

Now you're ready to go.

Design some clothes, say French navy t shirts they look cool. Get some pictures made up. Post them on your website. Watch the money roll in.

OK, a bit facetious. But I'm serious about not getting a job and setting up a business. It's exciting, costs bugger all, gives you freedom and control and is a lot easier than you think.

Doesn't have to be 'career work'

Any job to start with and work your way up! Get something on your CV

Minimum wage is the reality for a good proportion of people with degrees

Degrees seem to mean very little these days unless you go straight into a career fresh from uni

Total waste of time becoming a teacher nowadays. Once you factor in all the unpaid hours you can earn more per hour on the till at Aldi.

With less stress and more fun!

My baby was 6 months old when I did a PGCE and my DH worked abroad.

You can do it if you want. You will need to be able to afford childcare whilst you study and once you have qualified.

There are NO jobs in your area that are not either teaching or minimum wage? Have you considered teaching FE? You don't necessarily need a PGCE before you start and many colleges will put you through the necessary qualifications. You might be able to find part-time hours to suit. FE doesn't pay as well as compulsory education, but its better than minimum wage, and it might give you the opportunity to use your degreein some way.

Pgce part time or open university? Then part time teaching. Less paperwork bollox with FE i believe. Art therapy training, then working with sen kids. Art therapy working with adults.
If your degree was practical based, then online fetish wear by commission (non fetish friend does well at this).

There are opportunities out there, but it sounds like your bogged down in negativity at the moment. Take dc to some art activities and do a bit of spying. Find out what's available in other areas but not yours. Do you have a space you could do kids activities in? Or somewhere cheap you could hire?

If you left uni about four/five years ago you're a bit young for the messed up my life panic. Panic at 40 like I did. Lol

Why not be a TA for a couple of years and then decide if you want to do a pgce? My friend is doing a pgce with her 1 year old in nursery ft and it's working well. I think she got funding and also help with childcare.

You couldn’t get into one career and chose not to pursue another so there’s no hope of you ever being able to get a good job? If you give up far too easily then no, there’s no hope of getting a good job.