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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:
Onesnowynight · 07/06/2021 20:22

I works as a 19 year old mum alongside my studies. I had too! Every one my course did too.

PumpkinPie2016 · 07/06/2021 20:22

Sorry but YABU. The vast majority of students work during the Summer months. It will be extra income for you. You should get help with childcare costs so your daughter could go to a childminder or summer scheme.

Plenty of places are happy to take students for summer as there may be more custom/permanent staff on holiday etc. I certainly had no difficulty finding work as a student. Granted, not always the best jobs but I had no choice.

30062015 · 07/06/2021 20:23

Op you are right in one way - it is also a time to recharge and spend with your daughter - if you are volunteering through the summer then that should be enough. But working in the field will help your CV when you graduate and look for work. Especially if you have child care commitments and can't travel too far for example so maybe restricted in terms of where there are jobs and how far you can travel.

Rayn · 07/06/2021 20:24

I think it's a difficult one. Uni holidays are three months the so you could get temping! If it was just six weeks I think it is different but 3 months is a long time. I studied with two children under 5 and worked full time. It's bloody hard but doable.

3scape · 07/06/2021 20:24

I did my first degree around 25 years ago. I know 1 person who didn't work in some way during that time. That includes the mother and daughter who were doing their degree at the same uni to save housing costs.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 07/06/2021 20:24

@DesdemonaDryEyes

You stay at hone and claim what you can.

Your degree will benefit us all in the near future.

🙄

What about low income people who don't have dependants because they can't afford it and yet because of this don't qualify for benefits so cannot afford all this 'retrain for a better job'? Hmm That's what's fucked.
SuperMonkeys · 07/06/2021 20:25

You think the majority of shelf stackers do it because they love it or find it interesting?

Wombats12 · 07/06/2021 20:25

I worked loads of jobs whilst I was a student. Every job teaches you something & tho mine have ranged from cleaner to a professional job, the skills transfer, even if the skill is being mindful. Every time I've got a bit snotty, the universe has handed me my arse.

HmmmmmmInteresting · 07/06/2021 20:25

@WhenISnappedAndFarted

I also don't know anyone who didn't work alongside their degree.
I don't know anyone who did work alongside their degree Confused
Summersnightdream · 07/06/2021 20:26

Wow. I'm not sure if this is a wind up or not. How could the work coach have the audacity to ask you to get a job when you're not doing anything all summer Hmm

To be honest, if this is real than you sound quite entitled and lazy OP. For context, I completed an undergraduate and master's whilst working part-time with two children. Once I finished these, I started my PhD and continued my part-time job whilst teaching at the university I was studying. I was then lucky enough to secure a full-time job and they are paying for me to complete a degree in my field. Therefore as it stands, I'm working full-time, with two children, I'm doing a degree and a PhD. It's tough but it's perfectly doable if you organise time properly and have some motivation.

Honestly OP, get a job.

lachy · 07/06/2021 20:26

I will be working in a job I actually enjoy and interests me rather than stocking shelves or cleaning

You hope you will be working in a job you actually enjoy and interests you...

And just remember while you're claiming UC that some of that money will come from shelf stackers and cleaners.

SaskiaRembrandt · 07/06/2021 20:26

[quote onedaybabywelbeold]@Brefugee no I didn't say that. I said i won't enjoy it nor will it interest me. [/quote]
Most students do jobs that aren't enjoyable or interesting - I worked in telesales when I read for my first degree (with children), it was mind-numbingly awful, but I did it.

Also, I wonder about someone who clearly thinks certain jobs are beneath them going into social work.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 07/06/2021 20:26

[quote onedaybabywelbeold]@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 [/quote]
Wow, yeah, all those people who pay taxes so you can claim UC whilst studying. Hmm

Sootybear · 07/06/2021 20:27

We need social workers. I was a student mum and no way could I have worked and passed my degree. I agree OP, you are working by bringing up a child, and hardly living on a huge amount of money. Once you qualify you'll be doing a massively important job, so yes I agree the system is crap.

HercwasanEnemyofEducation · 07/06/2021 20:28

Everyone I know worked through their degree unless they were super wealthy. Student parents did night/evening shifts while kids were asleep. It's fair to expect you to work over the summer.

Nancylovesthecock · 07/06/2021 20:28

Then don't, it's not compulsory. But don't act like it's impossible, because it isn't. 🙄

VettiyaIruken · 07/06/2021 20:28

Don't they stop benefits if the person isn't proving they're doing enough to find work? I'm not sure you can just say no.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 07/06/2021 20:29

@Sootybear

We need social workers. I was a student mum and no way could I have worked and passed my degree. I agree OP, you are working by bringing up a child, and hardly living on a huge amount of money. Once you qualify you'll be doing a massively important job, so yes I agree the system is crap.
Bringing up your own child is not a job.
bruffin · 07/06/2021 20:29

My dd didnt work during term because of a 1000 hours placement until her last term after placements finished when she got a job as a vaccinator. She worked every Holiday though

Cam2020 · 07/06/2021 20:30

I also dont know anyone who didn't work alongside uni when I went 20 odd years ago when fees were 1k per term! Younger realitives who are currently at uni are working, so I dont think it's a generation thing.

Original poster
onedaybabywelbeold · 07/06/2021 20:30

@SaskiaRembrandt I never said any jobs were beneath me, only that I wouldn't enjoy it nor would it interest me. Much like I'd never be able to be a doctor as I'm not smart enough. Much like I'd never be able to be a performer as I'm too anxious. It's just facts. No job is 'beneath me' though.

@lachy there's a complete shortage for social workers, there are ALWAYS jobs in that field so I will not struggle on that front.

OP posts:
SaskiaRembrandt · 07/06/2021 20:30

@Sootybear

We need social workers. I was a student mum and no way could I have worked and passed my degree. I agree OP, you are working by bringing up a child, and hardly living on a huge amount of money. Once you qualify you'll be doing a massively important job, so yes I agree the system is crap.
As a student I worked, studied and managed to care for my children. You just need to be organised and accept that you'll be really tired for three years.
osbertthesyrianhamster · 07/06/2021 20:31

@VettiyaIruken

Don't they stop benefits if the person isn't proving they're doing enough to find work? I'm not sure you can just say no.
You have to prove you're trying to find work, but if you get turned down for honest reasons then you probably won't be sanctioned.
HighlandCowbag · 07/06/2021 20:31

I'm also a parent and a student and won't be working this summer. However, my dh supports me and the dcs while I am studying along with the maintenance loan.

I kind of get why you don't want to. But also feel that if you are claiming benefits you ought to. Me and dh discussed before I applied how life would look with me as a student and financially we don't need me to work, in fact we would probably be worse off as we get no help with childcare.

You will get help with childcare though. Which kind of defeats the point of working if you earn say £100 per week and your childcare entitlement is the same. Seems counterproductive. .

I'd probably not work. But probably show willing by applying for a few jobs and hope you aren't offered one. Make like Spud in Trainspotting maybe?

NannyAndJohn · 07/06/2021 20:31

Surely with the shift to online learning it's much easier than ever before to fit a job in?

Work during the day, watch recorded lectures in the evening.