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

[onedaybabywelbeold]

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?

@WeddingSingers NW larger city. And don't worry, it doesn't sound like an attack. Prices are rising here too, bit there are still postcodes people are snobby about. I bought handful of years ago 3 bed semi with deposit of 4k... In a postcode people do "ew, really?" about. I have less crime than the posh ones, neighbours know each other a bit, it's quiet and this last bit doesn't interest me personally but it also has outstanding school and good schools.
"Shit" postcode tho. Better one 3 min away meant extra 20k+.
(There are obviously normal problems like noisy party sometimes etc)

Sorry, I am derailing

Not like that matter in this shot show of a thread tho😂

I think studying plus child is a pretty full diary so I wouldn’t feel any guilt about claiming benefits - you’ll be paying taxes soon enough. However I’d have thought some work experience would put you at the front of the job queue (depending how much time you spend on placements of course). Assuming that would benefit getting your career going, could you look forward something school hours only - your daughter could go to a summer school?

I worked nearly full time across 3 jobs during the final year of my degree, also a single parent. I'd had an overpayment in 2nd year so it was work or quit, we couldn't live on the amount left after they'd deducted the overpayment.

I came out with a 2:1. It's far from easy. I didn't sleep much. But it is possible

@Tequilamockinbird

Lots of people work in jobs that they don't enjoy, or that don't interest them. It's called being an adult. If you can work, then you should work.

This! Simple but correct.

Agree with you, social work qualifications are not like a degree in English lit or media you have full on stressful placements that are full time. Also why isn't looking after your own child work? Amazing how many people want you to struggle cause they did, race to the bottom is it?

I'm a social worker. I worked full time during my course, taking annual leave and flexi to attend uni and unpaid leave for my placements. Most of my course mates had jobs of one kind or another unless supported by a well paid partner.

I don't think it's at all unreasonable to be expected to get a job in the holidays. How will you cope re child care when you work full time?

Love it that people are jumping in saying of course the OP should naturally be expected to work and study whilst being a single parent over the summer holidays 😂 I mean why not also take up a hobby with all the spare time she’ll have on your hands as well!! Honestly, whoever hasn’t worked and studied and been a single parent should really keep their views to themselves here. Good luck OP in your studies, I’m doing a MSc with 2 young kids and I’m not a single parent and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done by a long way. Hope you get all the support you need.

Fellow SW student here and whilst I do work and study, I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s easy to say go and get a job but working whilst on placement is so hard! Placement is 9-5 every day, there is barely enough time to work anyway. I’m exhausted. Enjoy your summer OP and focus on your course.

@JayAlfredPrufrock

Whose sad little lives? The ones who work?

The Op will be working in a few short years , in probably a good career. The outcomes for her children are also important too. That also matters to her family and should matter to wider society.

Most people work whilst doing degrees to get extra money as students aren’t entitled to benefits just student finance. The only way you can get UC and student loans is if you have a child and are single.
So yeah nearly all people work whilst at uni especially over the summer. Not trying to pile on just clearing that up for OP.

You can work but won’t work.

You seem really pleased with yourself.

Good for you, try to instil better values in your child though.

I don't think it's unreasonable. At 18 in Uni I was working 24 hours and studying.

In the last 2 years I have done my Masters whilst working full time and being a lone parent.

I’m doing MA Social work and not working. I’ve got a 5 year old and 18month old and just finished my first placement.

Don’t get a job over the summer, it’s ridiculous, you’ll be paying more in childcare costs than you can earn!!!! Concentrate on spending summer hols with your little one and getting back to studying in September. For the job centre, it’ll be a tick box exercise! The very best of luck with your studies x

Neither of my summer jobs interested me in the least. They were both absolutely horrible jobs but I did them because I had no choice. If you can survive on your student loan then fair enough but I don’t think you should be able to claim UC just because you are too lazy to work.

OP have you don the salary vs rent / childcare maths for when you graduate?

I worked whilst at university.
I also took on a second summer temping job when working as a term- time only college teacher.
University holidays are quite long. I don’t think working during them is unreasonable.

@Thisismyname77463

You can work but won’t work.

You seem really pleased with yourself.

Good for you, try to instil better values in your child though.

Troll

Do people realise that when people doing vocational courses are on placement, they have to do their university work alongside working full time? The OP is not in the same position as a student without children doing a course that is entirely university based.

You are getting some harsh replies onedaybabywelbeold. Hopefully your voluntary work will be enough to show that you are contributing. I do agree that if you do apply for jobs, it would be better to apply for jobs relevant to social work. Presumably if you did get a paid job your UC would be reduced by the taper so you might not be that much better off, especially if you have transport costs. I don't know the answer to this but if looking for work is a full time job, then is the claimant allowed a certain amount of annual leave?

@marble11

I don't think it's unreasonable. At 18 in Uni I was working 24 hours and studying.

In the last 2 years I have done my Masters whilst working full time and being a lone parent.

*slow clap

Another race to the bottom thread.

OP is retraining, as a single parent, in order to work in an incredibly important role.

I know it's not the same in all locations, but where I am, both jobs and childcare are hard to find at the moment.

However, OP as job searching is a requirement for you to be able to receive UC - have you considered agency work for residential children's home? They are usually crying out for staff, incredibly flexible,
would be great experience and good on your CV.

The childcare isn’t really the issue here is it? You can claim a good portion of it back. The really question is do you want to work in the summer or kick back? Work is about much more than money - self worth, achievement, not to mention getting out and meeting new people, even in a job which you deem to be beneath you such as shelf stacking. Moreover what will happen when you finish uni? You probably won’t walk into your dream job, you’ll have to start in a lower position and work yourself way up. Are you prepared for that? And what employer would choose a candidate who didn’t work at all, even part time? Whether you choose to work or be a SAHM is entirely up to you, there is no right or wrong way, but be honest and stop making excuses. It’s a choice.

Ignore them OP. Ignore them and their sad little lives.

Why do people on here post "ignore xyz"?

Just grow up. It's not up to you to dictate what should and shouldn't be ignored.

The only people I knew who didn't work alongside their degree had rich parents or a working partner funding them.

I'm not saying that means you need to work, by the way. Do whatever is right for you and your family. I'm just saying that I don't think it's normal to not work at all whilst studying. DH did a medical degree and still managed to work alongside it.

YABU, and workshy. Not sure if that makes you cut out for social work or the opposite.