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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:
christinarossetti19 · 07/06/2021 23:09

Um, well OP may be 'supported by the state to study' but she's studying something that the state needs.

She also has student loans.

BabySmuff2021 · 07/06/2021 23:10

@ittakes2 you don’t get UC AND your student loan. UC calculate as if you’ve taken the full amount anyway and adjust your payments accordingly, so you basically have to take it or you’re left well out of pocket. It’s one of the things the single parents in my class struggle with the most alongside finding childcare.

A woman in my class today was asking if there was any way to access more money as her partner has been furloughed and doesn’t make half as much money as usual and she’s not entitled to anything at all funding wise because of what he made in the previous tax year and she might not be able to finish her degree or go on placement because of it. She has children and isn’t even able to access childcare grants because she’s not a single parent.

BackforGood · 07/06/2021 23:11

Yup. YABU

tempconcerns · 07/06/2021 23:12

[quote onedaybabywelbeold]@Brefugee no I didn't say that. I said i won't enjoy it nor will it interest me. [/quote]
It doesn't interest anyone but it's a JOB which is necessary to bring in money. Hmm Hard work too! Certainly not a job to turn your nose up at.

I'm a degree student and work 3 shifts a week as a waitress. I can't claim benefits but I am certainly in no way even close to comfortable money wise so I have to work to help my minuscule student loan.

Babyroobs · 07/06/2021 23:14

[quote BabySmuff2021]@ittakes2 you don’t get UC AND your student loan. UC calculate as if you’ve taken the full amount anyway and adjust your payments accordingly, so you basically have to take it or you’re left well out of pocket. It’s one of the things the single parents in my class struggle with the most alongside finding childcare.

A woman in my class today was asking if there was any way to access more money as her partner has been furloughed and doesn’t make half as much money as usual and she’s not entitled to anything at all funding wise because of what he made in the previous tax year and she might not be able to finish her degree or go on placement because of it. She has children and isn’t even able to access childcare grants because she’s not a single parent.[/quote]
Why does she need childcare if her husband is furloughed?

BabySmuff2021 · 07/06/2021 23:26

@Babyroobs that was meant to say “had been” as in he was furloughed. I’m assuming he’s back now but not making his usual wage from what she said which has left her family worse off and she knows she’ll be unable to work alongside a full time placement. Like many of us.

I actually got a new job in second year and had a chat with my personal tutor who told me working 15 hours a week was way too much on top of the workload. The course is 35 hours a week with more independent study on top of that. Add in placement Mon-Fri 9-5 as well and you’d literally have to be a machine to do it plus work and maintain good grades.

Obviously some people do work (to the detriment of their studies unless young and full of energy) but there genuinely are people that can’t.

PattyPan · 07/06/2021 23:35

I haven’t RTFT but I think you are getting a hard time. When I was at university (left in 2018) undergraduates and taught postgraduates weren’t actually allowed to get jobs. SIL is currently at (a different) university, she does a few hours of tutoring and most of her housemates don’t work. None of my school friends worked while at their respective universities either. So no, PP, actually not all students work and actually like op says a lot of places don’t want to take students because they want someone for all year.

Pixxie7 · 07/06/2021 23:49

I think too many people these days expect the tax payer to fund their life choices. It was your decision to go to uni whilst you had a young child so it is your responsibility to ensure you have the means to live with that choice.

HmmmmmmInteresting · 07/06/2021 23:51

I think people are being mean and bitter to you on this thread. I wouldn't want to work in your shoes either, OP. YANBU.

Zeldaaa · 07/06/2021 23:53

You’re being unreasonable to not even try.

Most people I know worked as students. I do appreciate the job market might be challenging right now but I managed to get summer jobs when I did my undergraduate and also part time during my study. I got a first - no detriment to my studies.

I’m doing a masters at the moment, working full time and have two young kids.

Summerfun54321 · 08/06/2021 00:01

@forinborin you’re doing an MPhil, that’s totally different to what the OP is doing and the MSc that I’m doing. Writing essays sat down in the evening once the kids have gone to bed is different.

Taliskerskye · 08/06/2021 00:04

This thread is mad.
Would you as a tax payer prefer option

A: keep op on UC to get through her degree so she can pay 40% tax and NI

B: she gave up didn’t contribute and stayed on benefits her whole life, because “why should we have to pay for your bad life choices”

That’s a whole tonne of cutting your nose off to spite your face 🤷🏽‍♀️

Summerfun54321 · 08/06/2021 00:10

*This thread is mad.
Would you as a tax payer prefer option

A: keep op on UC to get through her degree so she can pay 40% tax and NI

B: she gave up didn’t contribute and stayed on benefits her whole life, because “why should we have to pay for your bad life choices”

That’s a whole tonne of cutting your nose off to spite your face 🤷🏽‍♀️*

100%. People getting worked up over this can’t follow logic or do maths.

Babyroobs · 08/06/2021 00:10

@Taliskerskye

This thread is mad. Would you as a tax payer prefer option

A: keep op on UC to get through her degree so she can pay 40% tax and NI

B: she gave up didn’t contribute and stayed on benefits her whole life, because “why should we have to pay for your bad life choices”

That’s a whole tonne of cutting your nose off to spite your face 🤷🏽‍♀️

There is no requirement for op to study during term time. All that is being asked of her is to look for work during the Uni holidays like most other parents have to work. It is hardly unreasonable.
Lalliella · 08/06/2021 00:18

To get UC you have to be actively looking for work. However if you’re honest with potential employers that you would only stay for a short time, and they don’t offer you a job as a result, that isn’t your fault and you will still get your benefits. You just have to show the evidence that you’re looking for work.

Helloandhelloagain · 08/06/2021 00:18

Don’t volunteer. Work . Also once you have a job you’ll have to juggle it early so start now I say

Zeldaaa · 08/06/2021 00:19

@Taliskerskye

This thread is mad. Would you as a tax payer prefer option

A: keep op on UC to get through her degree so she can pay 40% tax and NI

B: she gave up didn’t contribute and stayed on benefits her whole life, because “why should we have to pay for your bad life choices”

That’s a whole tonne of cutting your nose off to spite your face 🤷🏽‍♀️

Nonsense.

No one has suggested option b. I just can’t fathom why op isn’t willing to look for work when she’s not studying. As a single parent it’s going to present additional challenges, especially if the job isn’t high paying. I get that. It’s not impossible though and there may be remote opportunities. Maybe it’s not her ideal job, but surely that’s better than taking tax payer money?

Sunshinelover2 · 08/06/2021 00:22

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Peoniesandpeaches · 08/06/2021 00:34

@Sunshinelover2

Hi OP,

Hope the mean and bitter comments haven't got you down on here. Some people just hate the idea of state benefits and get quite harsh and begrudging where they are concerned.

Yes, I think the work coach person is being unreasonable - just say you're looking for a job but haven't found anything until September and then go and get your honours. Being a mum is a job, being a single mum even more so. You have the right to look after your child on the summer hols and not starve or go homeless.

Hope you do well and have a lovely summer. Good luck!

I’m all in favor of state benefits however most people are reacting to the OPs attitude that because she is studying for a job that she will enjoy she shouldn’t have to comply with the rules of U.C. Don’t want to follow the rules then don’t apply. Of course it’s going to be difficult to find a wholly suitable job and if she can’t then fine but she shouldn’t get to just sack off the requirement to look just because she deserves a nice summer
KenAdams · 08/06/2021 00:52

Do they just employ anyone as social workers then? I can't imagine with your attitude to manual labour work you'd have much empathy. I worked through my holidays in whatever roles I could get. I've got a much better job now and I'd always employ someone who actually went out to work in whatever capacity they could above someone that sat on their arse as it shows they're willing to work and not lazy.

Elys3 · 08/06/2021 00:56

I agree @Taliskerskye - as a taxpayer I don’t mind supporting a single mum over the summer to enable her to obtain a degree in social work. It’s an investment for society, not just for the individual. It is sad how we have as a nation become so individualistic and unable to see the bigger picture.

PerveenMistry · 08/06/2021 00:59

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PerveenMistry · 08/06/2021 01:03

@Pixxie7

I think too many people these days expect the tax payer to fund their life choices. It was your decision to go to uni whilst you had a young child so it is your responsibility to ensure you have the means to live with that choice.
Exactly.

Not our problem if you're tired or lazy or whatever. Fellow citizens don't owe you an easy life.

I used contraception and abortion as necessary to avoid this lifestyle. Those who chose not to avail themselves of the obvious precautions will have a more hectic life, but it was 100 percent within their control.

WhyYesIndeed · 08/06/2021 01:05

YANBU OP. Too many people don’t understand that there’s not really any such thing as a Saturday/summer job etc anymore.

AnyOldPrion · 08/06/2021 01:06

@Summerfun54321

*This thread is mad. Would you as a tax payer prefer option

A: keep op on UC to get through her degree so she can pay 40% tax and NI

B: she gave up didn’t contribute and stayed on benefits her whole life, because “why should we have to pay for your bad life choices”

That’s a whole tonne of cutting your nose off to spite your face 🤷🏽‍♀️*

100%. People getting worked up over this can’t follow logic or do maths.

I was at university in the UK a long time ago. As well as a grant, I could claim unemployment benefit in the summer holidays. Just as well as I had to do unpaid workplace training. The UK is getting more and more like the US. It’s not a good direction to be traveling in.