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?

@RaspberryCoulis

So this time next year the OP is applying for jobs.....

"So tell me OP what you did during breaks from study"?

"I sat on my arse and claimed benefits, because shelf staking and cleaning work is boring".

I can’t imagine that being a question for a social work job interview

I can’t imagine that being a question for a social work job interview

No but someone with recent work experience will have more examples to draw up when answering questions and will be able to demonstrate their work ethic etc.

When I used to employ graduates to do a job quite similar to social work it was always great to see that they had worked while studying even if it was bar work, shelf stacking or factory work. It demonstrated that they would be willing to do the 'boring' bits of the job we were recruiting for.

People with a similar attitude to the OP (only wanted to do the interesting, enjoyable bits) were a PITA to be honest.

I worked a part time retail job during my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Picked up extra shifts for extra money during summer and Xmas holidays. I didn't have a child to raise so not exactly same circumstances but still good experience of earning my own keep. Lived with parents during undergrad and in student halls for postgraduate.
It's good experience, good for CV and good for independence while not relying on benefits.

@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 🤷🏽‍♀️

A. You grossly overestimate what social workers are paid. Very few hit the higher tax threshold. B. Nowhere has the OP suggested she will drop out of Uni If she has to get a job, and if that were that case then perhaps she wasn’t cut out to be a social worker. C. Most students have jobs. It’s completely normal for a student to have a part time job in a supermarket, or bar, or McDonalds, or care home or call centre. A few of mine are even estate agents, gym coaches and lifeguards. I worked in shops and bars as a student. They don’t expect you to stay forever. They’re happy to get the summer or a year or two out of you. If I was an employer looking at a new graduate’s CV I would fully expect to see summer or part time employment listed there, otherwise it looks like they’ve got no motivation or drive.

You sound very entitled. You don't want to stack shelves or clean as it's not enjoyable - but want everyone else to pick up the cost of your benefits!!!
I have been to uni twice as an adult - both times with 3 young children. First time they were all under 5yrs old. I worked at least a 20hr week too. To make ends meet I worked in fast food chains and did some cleaning work.
You need a dose of reality!

When I was young I had casual work with studies and when I was older I worked full time and studied part time. I think its reasonable to work and study.

I think it's reasonable during a social work degree and with a young child to not work during the holidays to be fair, but that doesn't mean the expectation that students should be looking for work for a 3 month break is ridiculous overall, it makes sense. Also be mindful, there are a lot of social work vacancies, but if you live near a uni that delivers the course it can be challenging to secure one close to graduation, especially in the more 'desirable' roles.

@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 🤷🏽‍♀️

😂😂😂 Imagine thinking that having to work over summer holidays means having to drop out. And then actually write it down publicly.

Btw OP, I do agree with you that a system that requires people to 'work full-time' to find a job while they're looking after a young child is pretty fucked.

It reminds me of one of the Michael Moore films, when a young woman was having to travel miles out of her state to work in a very low paid job, and put her child into full-time childcare to meet the demands of the system that she be 'in work'.

It's absolutely fucked to think that's a good way for children to be raised.

Lots of people have to do jobs they don’t like to get by. Why should the system fund you when you are quite capable of working It’s this mentality that’s fucked not the system. You obviously made some less than sensible decisions in the past - you chose to have a child before you got your career sorted, you didn’t go to Uni straight from school like most people. Obviously it’s good that you’re trying to better yourself now but you shouldn’t be dossing about whilst doing it. Yes it’s tougher when you are older and have a child but that’s your fault.

I think you have unrealistic expectations of social work tbh. Lots of it will be boring and you can't just choose not to do those bits. Writing tribunal reports, endless emails to housing providers, endless hours spent being on hold whilst trying to speak to UC, DWP etc, not to mention all the bloody team meetings!
That said, I have been on the receiving end of UC and their job coaches do talk to you as if you're the scum of the earth at times. Im full time NHS and one asked 'so are you doing anything to improve your income?' Not if Boris has anything to do with it!

@christinarossetti19

Btw OP, I do agree with you that a system that requires people to 'work full-time' to find a job while they're looking after a young child is pretty fucked.

It reminds me of one of the Michael Moore films, when a young woman was having to travel miles out of her state to work in a very low paid job, and put her child into full-time childcare to meet the demands of the system that she be 'in work'.

It's absolutely fucked to think that's a good way for children to be raised.

You don't have to whilst they're very young, but when school age most people work don't they?

I think it's ridiculous, but them's the rules, I'm afraid.

Write to Therese Coffey and suggest she revises the rules so that FT students on UC who have to be placements are exempt from the job-seeking requirement during the summer vac. After all, they're still doing stuff that is essential if they're to follow their chosen career.

And as it's only students with health problems or children that are eligible for UC anyway, the numbers aren't going to be huge and the cost implications would be minimal, relative to the overall cost of UC.

Work coaches have a huge degree of discretion and a different work coach might well have adopted a more laid back approach. It's a major flaw in the system that pretty junior civil servants are making decisions that have big impacts on people's lives imo. And it makes it very difficult to challenge decisions when there are no specific rules and regulations and it's just down to what one person thinks.

Afaik, there's no monitoring being done to ensure that work coaches are treating all groups of people the same.

@SoSadAboutMyDad

Lots of people have to do jobs they don’t like to get by. Why should the system fund you when you are quite capable of working It’s this mentality that’s fucked not the system. You obviously made some less than sensible decisions in the past - you chose to have a child before you got your career sorted, you didn’t go to Uni straight from school like most people. Obviously it’s good that you’re trying to better yourself now but you shouldn’t be dossing about whilst doing it. Yes it’s tougher when you are older and have a child but that’s your fault.

Exactly.

We'd all like leisure on someone else's dime, but that's not how it works.

‘Most students work alongside their degree’.

Most students aren’t running a household and bringing up a child.

Concentrate on your child and your degree. As already said, your degree will massively benefit you and others. I personally wouldn’t be looking to work as well. Good luck op!

@Poppydot3

‘Most students work alongside their degree’.

Most students aren’t running a household and bringing up a child.

Concentrate on your child and your degree. As already said, your degree will massively benefit you and others. I personally wouldn’t be looking to work as well. Good luck op!

Most students were prudent and didn't procreate before uni and a career.

Are you kidding? Most students work at least part time/in the holidays.

I didnt have a regular job in term time when I was studying but worked long hours every holiday - as many bar & retail shifts as I could get over Christmas & easter, full time temp jobs in the summer. I used to go into every agency in town and would do anything - factories, retail, catering, I've done pretty much everything at one time or another. One summer I did a few "double shifts", working 6am til 2pm followed by 2-10pm! All I did around that was go home & sleep!

You will probably find you are eligible for substantial help from UC with childcare costs, as your daughter is school age there will be an expectation you use holiday clubs etc and work.

@Poppydot3

‘Most students work alongside their degree’.

Most students aren’t running a household and bringing up a child.

Concentrate on your child and your degree. As already said, your degree will massively benefit you and others. I personally wouldn’t be looking to work as well. Good luck op!

There are many students who are studying who also have children.

The course I run is very similar to social work and attracts a lot of women who have families. Out of my cohort of 30 only 2 students aren't working this year and that's pretty typical.

If I'm honest, those are always the ones who will find it hardest to secure work once they graduate - they don't come across as having as much drive or determination, they struggle with juggling multiple priorities and have far fewer recent practical experiences and examples to draw upon in interviews.

I am surprised you even got universal credit when you are at full time uni this never used to be allowed also 1 of the terms you agree to when claiming is that you will actively look and apply for jobs ie full time 30 hours a week min, if you don't want to work don't claim universal credit simple really, also if you turn down a job you can lose your claim

I never said any jobs were beneath me, only that I wouldn't enjoy it nor would it interest me.

My summer jobs when I was at uni didn't 'interest' me. They funded my choice to study in order to get a job that did interest me. A means to an end. Surely you can see that?

Nobody is suggesting that if you want to do social work and are able to, you instead work in an job you dislike forever. They're suggesting that for three months you suck it up and work in a job you might not find thrilling so that long term you can work in a job you want.

It's also never a bad thing to show on a CV that you're willing to work hard even outside of your chosen field rather than taking time off.

Doing some work over the next three months is the smart choice in all senses.

If this is your attitude now, I dare to think how you'll cope with the demands of social work. You seem to have a very idyllic view of what social work is. It's very demanding, draining and frustrating. If you don't have the resilience and understanding of the need to support yourself, I'm not sure how you'll be ready for social work.

Will you advise the same of the ladies you'll work with? Not to bother working or even looking for work if you are no worse off on benefits? Great!

@Dddccc the OP has young children therefore is allowed UC. Where does it state in official guidelines that she has to look for work, as a full time student with young children?
Everyone keeps stating that but no one has provided any official links to government documents.

@GiantToadstool

Shifts in retail?

Most students do work alongside their degree.

They probably don’t have children ri take care iff in too of that too!

It’s different to a 20 year old with no children with a part time job in a shop.

They probably don’t have children to care of on top of that too I mean 😂

Friends with kids have - you get UC towards childcare. Particulalry the summer break - if the child has childcare for uni so they continued through summer. Admittedly just my narrow friendship circle though.