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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:
MrsTerryPratchett · 07/06/2021 20:54

@Anna727b

I agree OP. Just make it look like you're looking for work.
Lying to skank money from the government isn't a behaviour SWs should emulate either.

There are professional ethics.

Rose789 · 07/06/2021 20:54

I know 1 person that didn’t work when they were at university as a mature student. Her husband supported the family.
I have friends that retrained and went to university as adults to become social workers, teachers, nurses and midwives all involved placements. Every one of them worked at least part time whilst studying.

sanityisamyth · 07/06/2021 20:55

I went back to uni full time September 2019 and get student loan, tax credits, child benefit and maintenance. I'm topping all this up with supply teaching, online teaching and working in a local stables. Needs must!

americanBD · 07/06/2021 20:56

I had to work through the 4 years I was at uni. I didn't get any UC just loan and my wages

trevthecat · 07/06/2021 20:57

Yanbu. My sister is doing a nursing degree, single parent, 3 kids, full time placement and she is expected to get a job! When is she meant to work? I am also at uni and with my placement and volunteering I honestly don't have time or energy. It's different when you are a teen or in a position to have help with childcare but you aren't in either of those. I agree, it's a waste of your time and employer's

KingdomScrolls · 07/06/2021 20:58

I worked throughout my degree as did most of my friends, even the very wealthy ones!

eurochick · 07/06/2021 20:58

I worked all my uni holidays to earn cash to see me through the coming term. Most people did, and quite a few did shop or bar shifts during term time too.

3scape · 07/06/2021 20:58

If you want to go into social work why not get a care role. You can probably even work with your preferred specialism clients.

AnneLovesGilbert · 07/06/2021 20:58

If you have time to volunteer you have time to do paid work.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 07/06/2021 20:59

If I were you, I would make a good show of searching for employment. Put in some applications. Mention on them the hours you are available.
Honestly, the coach has to say this stuff,you pretend to look for work.
You carry on with your very sensible plan to improve your life and be a good role model for your child.
Everyone is happy apart from the Daily Mail

motogogo · 07/06/2021 20:59

Both my student DD's are working this summer, if your child is over 5 then you are expected to work pt.

RaspberryCoulis · 07/06/2021 21:00

[quote onedaybabywelbeold]@Brefugee no I didn't say that. I said i won't enjoy it nor will it interest me. [/quote]
Entitled much?

We've all done jobs as students which we didn't enjoy and which didn't interest us. I worked as a chambernaid, pulled pints in a pub, sat in the basement of the HQ of a bank doing admin, answered phones for the Council -

BUT I DID IT BECAUSE I NEEDED THE MONEY.

Soverymuchfruit · 07/06/2021 21:01

Good for you, taking a degree in something socially useful while also stifle parenting.

Of course you shouldn't try to hold down a job once you studies re-start. Many many students don't, without additional caring responsibilities.

For the summer - there might be something that would work, you can have a look.

21Flora · 07/06/2021 21:01

I don’t really understand the mindset of being fully capable of working but not bothering because it’s too much effort. Your alternative is letting other people work hard to fund your life choices?

Whatthefucculant · 07/06/2021 21:03

I'm surprised not many of your fellow student work, are they all young?( is not mature students). When I went back to university I had 2 kids & a mortgage, as did most in my study group.

trevthecat · 07/06/2021 21:03

If you have time to volunteer you have time to work

I don't. I've done 3 volunteer shifts this week vaccinating people in Burnley. I've not had a break during these shifts. Ok that was my choice as we were so busy. Op didn't say what she was doing whilst volunteering. Maybe she is doing the same

DesdemonaDryEyes · 07/06/2021 21:03

@osbertthesyrianhamster

Did you misunderstand me?

Llamadramasheepface · 07/06/2021 21:03

I am a full time student, work two jobs and have 3 children. Granted I'm not a single parent and my children are all late primary and secondary age so a bit more self sufficient but it's doable OP.

DriedIris · 07/06/2021 21:03

I can't say I enjoyed any of my jobs that I did whilst at uni. I did shifts in a chip shop in the evenings and a shoe shop during the days I wasn't in lectures.

The only students that didn't also work seemed to come from super rich families.

Gingerkittykat · 07/06/2021 21:03

How old is your child? The amount of hours you need to work changes as your child gets older.

I agree the UC rules are harsh for students and the chances of someone wanting to employ you for 3 months are slim. They definitely should have some flexibility when they know someone will be studying again in the near future.

Elys3 · 07/06/2021 21:04

I did a different degree and quite a long time ago…. it would have been impossible for a single parent to do a paid job on top of caring for a child / children and studying / placement. One person in our entire year group worked and they could pick up odd hours here and there to suit using skills gained in their previous career.

americanBD · 07/06/2021 21:05

@Cam2020

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.
You just need a job to pay bills and eat though. Every job you get doesn't need to be your ideal job, it's a means to an end. Are you not worried about how you will survive if you don't work?
ittakes2 · 07/06/2021 21:05

A system where someone can get a loan and universal credit to go to uni and get an education so they can get better job prospects so they can lead a better life can not be fucked.

Isthisit22 · 07/06/2021 21:05

@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?

Your attitude is terrible. I worked all the way through my degree/s. The world does not owe you a living. I'm quite surprised you expect benefits to pay for you to do a degree without you even attempting to work.
Sootybear · 07/06/2021 21:05

@Waxonwaxoff0, I'm well out of childcare costs as my children are grown up, but I see so many posts saying how expensive childcare costs are and if you are doing a minimum wage summer job, how is that going to pay these costs? Will OP get some benefit money to top this up? I'm talking from a place of not understanding what's available now, but I really dislike posts where people say, well I worked etc but we don't know everyone's full story. Social work is a very stressful job and I can imagine that anyone who chooses to do this is not afraid of hard work.