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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:
ClareBlue · 07/06/2021 21:06

Best thing is to let other people work and fund your life choices. Hope you find a job that pays well and is interesting, fingers crossed.
There is absolutely no way you should have to work in demeaning jobs to support your choices, leave that to all the little people out there. Good luck with the studies. You'll be an asset to society once you get your degree.

Isthisit22 · 07/06/2021 21:06

@ittakes2

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.
This a million times. I didn't even know this happened. Very few places elsewhere would do this.
HotChocolateLover · 07/06/2021 21:08

Can’t you just apply for things but put in really rubbish applications and even if you get an interview give terrible answers!? 😝

FuckMyLife2021 · 07/06/2021 21:08

I’m hoping to get my degree done before I have to move to UC, and this is why.

My degree is STEM and there’s no way I can work alongside doing it, it’s 40 hours a week study and I do around 20 hours a week more on top to cover the breadth and depth part of the content, and I always have at least 2 assignments plus exams on the go, it’s not just the end of the year at all.

americanBD · 07/06/2021 21:08

@BoomChicka

Hospitality is crying out for staff, you could try a cafe, or hotel cleaning? No reason for you not to work all summer. I worked throughout my 6 year OU degree, as you couldn't get maintenance loans back then.
She doesn't want to as they wouldn't be interesting!
PaperHalo · 07/06/2021 21:09

This thread is crazy! Why would I work doing a job that I don’t fancy when they will pay me not to???
Honestly if you don’t know the common sense answer to that then I give up Confused

Babyroobs · 07/06/2021 21:09

They wont reduce your Uc payment as long as you do your work search commitments. They don't give Uc for nothing - you have to keep to the commitments you have agreed to in order to get the full payment.
Loads of people have to juggle studying, working , childcare etc.
There must be temp work available.

Dullardmullard · 07/06/2021 21:09

Your in for an almighty shock when and if your become a SW with that attitude.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 07/06/2021 21:09

[quote Sootybear]@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.[/quote]
As a single parent you get help with childcare costs, yes. You also get working tax credits, which is much higher than JSA or income support.

OP is in exactly the same situation as I am. Single parent, child at school, no regular family help. So she would get exactly the same as I do.

Original poster
onedaybabywelbeold · 07/06/2021 21:10

@HotChocolateLover yes that's the plans to be honest.

OP posts:
rattlemehearties · 07/06/2021 21:10

I didn't work alongside my degree in term time. But I did work 2 jobs every summer. That said, I didn't have children, and the job market was better/easier for casual work than it is now - are there any summer jobs in catering/hospitality that would work for you? You can be honest with them that you'll work full time for July/August and then part time from autumn (and actually quit if you must)

Patapouf · 07/06/2021 21:10

You're being a bit precious.

Getting a job when at uni is the norm. How many actual contact hours do you have a week and how many reading hours on top of that? It's not hard to fit in a few retail or call centre shifts along side studying.

Babyroobs · 07/06/2021 21:10

[quote Sootybear]@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.[/quote]
Yes she will get up to 85% of childcare costs paid on UC.

Beautiful3 · 07/06/2021 21:11

I've been to uni a few times to complete different courses. I've always worked throughout. The third time, I had a child. I paid for nursery. Can you not work and still get universal credit? If so then do that. If you can't then is it worth putting your little one in holiday club, and advertising in your area as a cleaner? Cleaners get paid £20 an hour around here, its very good money.

Clymene · 07/06/2021 21:11

I worked evenings and summers throughout my degree. Most people do.

americanBD · 07/06/2021 21:12

@Cam2020 sorry I quoted your message by mistake

Looubylou · 07/06/2021 21:12

I work with students on placement and it's very rare they don't have a part time job. Some have children, some don't. However, everybody's support system is different. Those asking how OP expects to manage childcare when she qualifies, surely it's obvious she thinks she will be able to afford it then. Those saying there are loads of jobs in hospitality and retail, may not be considering the effects of the pandemic. It will be difficult to find a job in, OP's circumstances, at present.

FuckMyLife2021 · 07/06/2021 21:12

@BoomChicka nobody gets maintenance loans for OU as its part time, not full time.

My tax credits stay the same through summer as they are every other part of the year, and my Uni has specific summer funds for single parents, (£1000), and I divide my loan into 12 months to cover my rent payments.

Are you claiming all the funds possible from your Uni?

XingMing · 07/06/2021 21:13

I am not sure that enjoyment at/of work has a place in this discussion. Can you win a job in your chosen professional field? And earn enough to keep yourself and your child? If you can, then go for it. If you can't, you may need to consider what else you would do to put a rood over your head and that of your child. As a parent, it is up to you to do the providing.

inmyslippers · 07/06/2021 21:13

The first £200 odd you earn doesn't affect universal credit. It's absolutely worthwhile working. When I was on placement I dropped working. Just make the most of it during the quieter parts of year and holidays. Find childcare, universal credit covers 80% of the costs.

KleineDracheKokosnuss · 07/06/2021 21:13

YABU. The only students I knew who didn’t work were very rich.

I worked throughout my first degree, and I’m now retraining (Uni level study) while working a full time job with 2 kids.

Babyroobs · 07/06/2021 21:14

@onedaybabywelbeold

But I'm at uni to ensure that I can get a job I will actually enjoy (hopefully) and work as the next 40 years (hopefully) so surely they would rather I concentrate on my studies than juggle everything and possibly fail? It's one thing if I'm sat on my arse doing nothing then yes, definetely put the pressure on to get a job. However, I'm not, some people may do uni, work, placement, run a household and raise their child alone with little support but I honestly don't see myself managing that. I also volunteer on top of that.
I think maybe voluntary work can count towards your work commitments? is your work coach aware that you do voluntary work?
Fairyliz · 07/06/2021 21:14

Don’t worry the rest of the single mums will go out to work and pay tax so you don’t have to work Hmm

Original poster
onedaybabywelbeold · 07/06/2021 21:15

@Babyroobs yes I told him today. He just said 'oh that is good'.

OP posts:
DelBocaVista · 07/06/2021 21:15

Those saying there are loads of jobs in hospitality and retail, may not be considering the effects of the pandemic.

There are lots of hospitality jobs at present. Many hospitality employers are struggling to fill vacancies.
Plus, most universities have job shops so that would be a good place for a student to look for work that is suitable for a student.