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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think being forced to get a job when a student is ridiculous?

615 replies

onedaybabywelbeold · 07/06/2021 20:01

I am a 29 year old single mum, I have just finished my 3rd year at uni and going into my honours year. I worked for 10 years full time before going back to education. During the term year I receive student loan which is topped up by universal credit. I have about 1100 pounds to do me for the month so it's doable but tight.

Now that uni is finished for the summer I am obviously getting more universal credit to see me through. However, today I had to meet with my work coach and he told me I should be job hunting for a job over the summer and should treat job hunting as a full time job.

I told him that I might struggle to get a job as I can only work during the hours my daughter is in school, I have no one to help me and she finished school for the summer end of June. Also I told him it would be hard to get a job as I would be leaving again in September, to which he suggested I stay in a job whilst at uni as 'you don't really have to do much work until the end of the year'.

To be honest I don't really want to work when at uni, I mean I wouldn't be any better off than I would be on universal credit yet running with a substantial decrease in time so why would I? Honesty I don't understand the point in this, surely it's just wasting employers time as I'm not very serious about getting a job as I don't have the childcare. However, I'm worried that if I don't get a job they'll start reducing my payment.

AIBU to think the system is absolutely fucked?

OP posts:
GiantToadstool · 07/06/2021 20:03

Dont they pay towards childcare if you're a single parent studying? My friend worked p/t alongside studying.

GiantToadstool · 07/06/2021 20:04

Shifts in retail?

Most students do work alongside their degree.

Original poster
onedaybabywelbeold · 07/06/2021 20:05

@GiantToadstool I'm not sure, but I have placements on top of that so why would I work when I would be coming out with the same amount of money than what I could not working? But I'd have so much less time to focus on my child and my studies and placement.

OP posts:
osbertthesyrianhamster · 07/06/2021 20:06

But plenty of people work and go to uni and even have families. It seems a very novel thing in the UK. It's very par for the course in some places. And all you really have to do is look for a job, update your journal accordingly.

GiantToadstool · 07/06/2021 20:07

I dont really know of anyone who didnt work alongside.

Is it medical placements? Can you do hca shifts?

DesdemonaDryEyes · 07/06/2021 20:08

You stay at hone and claim what you can.

Your degree will benefit us all in the near future.

🙄

Waxonwaxoff0 · 07/06/2021 20:08

What will you do for childcare when you finish uni and start looking for a job then?

Original poster
onedaybabywelbeold · 07/06/2021 20:09

But I'm at uni to ensure that I can get a job I will actually enjoy (hopefully) and work as the next 40 years (hopefully) so surely they would rather I concentrate on my studies than juggle everything and possibly fail? It's one thing if I'm sat on my arse doing nothing then yes, definetely put the pressure on to get a job. However, I'm not, some people may do uni, work, placement, run a household and raise their child alone with little support but I honestly don't see myself managing that. I also volunteer on top of that.

OP posts:
WrongWrhododendron · 07/06/2021 20:09

I worked - more or less full time - throughout my degree, which was 4 years ago. I also had two DC to look after. Granted I wasn't a single mum though.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 07/06/2021 20:09

I mean, don't get a job if you don't want to but I'm curious as to what will change between now and next year regarding your childcare situation.

Original poster
onedaybabywelbeold · 07/06/2021 20:10

@GiantToadstool that's weird that you don't know one person who didn't work alongside their degree. I know plenty. No they're not medical placements. Social work placements.

OP posts:
denverRegina · 07/06/2021 20:10

YABU - we all have to sort out holiday childcare when we have kids. There's no reason you can't work through the summer

Overthebow · 07/06/2021 20:11

It’s very normal to work whilst doing a degree. I had a job alongside my degree when I was 18, I don’t know why you shouldn’t at 29.

JeanClaudeVanDammit · 07/06/2021 20:11

I don’t really know anyone who didn’t work alongside university, if not in term time then at least during the summer. That was 15 years ago but was definitely the norm among my friends and people on my course.

PotassiumChloride · 07/06/2021 20:11

I worked throughout. Bar work during term time and then high paying night shifts in a local factory during the summer.

Original poster
onedaybabywelbeold · 07/06/2021 20:12

@Waxonwaxoff0 well for one I will be working in a job I actually enjoy and interests me rather than stocking shelves or cleaning. Secondly I will be making a wage that is worth my while to actually work and be able to pay childcare. Working part time and paying childcare would make me come out worse off

OP posts:
SuperMonkeys · 07/06/2021 20:13

Don't most peoplr work when at uni? I always did, as did most people I knew.

GiantToadstool · 07/06/2021 20:13

It was definitely the norm to work when I went and friends now tend to work alongside.

HCA might be good for client contact if training to be a SW? A friend training to be an OT found being on bank helped and she was able to pick and choose shifts.

Springchickpea · 07/06/2021 20:13

I had more than one part time job when I was a student. All through termtime and then holiday work as well. It’s just the reality for some people. I get that it’s difficult since you already have a child, but it’s not unusual to need to work especially during the holidays.

SaskiaRembrandt · 07/06/2021 20:13

Most students work during the summer, including those who have children. Look for temping roles, or ask at your university about summer admin work.

If your placements are compulsory, you'll need to get in touch with your personal tutor or student services and explain the situation. You wont be the first student in this situation so they should have something in place to help you out.

otterbaby · 07/06/2021 20:13

I worked 3 part-time jobs throughout my 4 years at uni (US). I didn't get enough in my student loan to cover tuition and bills so I didn't really have a choice. I appreciate having a child would make that more difficult, but I don't think it's unusual to work alongside obtaining your degree.

ghostyslovesheets · 07/06/2021 20:14

what will you do when you are in work? We all have to find holiday cover - it's not cheap but if it's OFSTED Registered you will get most of the cost back - be good to sort out holiday clubs etc for when you graduate and have to work full time.

Most students work and study

SuperMonkeys · 07/06/2021 20:14

Pmsl at the system being "fucked" because they expect you to work.

GiantToadstool · 07/06/2021 20:14

Next summer when you are a SW you will need a lot of childcare presumably... and flexible too for late finishing work. I dont see how this summer should be "off" with no work?

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 07/06/2021 20:14

I also don't know anyone who didn't work alongside their degree.