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Original poster

PGCE and Part Time Job

48 replies

thismanythoughts · 12/08/2021 11:27

For some context I'm 21 live my parents, I'm starting a PGCE soon, My Mum has occasionally asked over the summer if I'm looking for a part time job and obviously now it's too late to get one just for the summer. I'm pretty sure it's not recommended to work alongside doing a PGCE, what's the best way to make it clear to her that I'm not getting a part time job?

OP posts:

Kollamoolitumarellipawkyrollo · 12/08/2021 13:20

I did a PGCE and did paid work on Sundays. It was challenging but my family were not in a position for me not to.

Heyha · 12/08/2021 13:23

If you've not managed to get yourself organised enough to get a summer job in, for example, hospitality (I'm taking 'an interview' literally) you certainly won't be able to cope with a PGCE AND a job on the side. I do hope when you say you've got enough to live off this does mean a contribution to the household bills or your own food or something.

thing47 · 12/08/2021 16:20

Not a PGCE but have a DC currently doing a highly academic MSc. Started with the plan of working 2 evenings a week and on Saturdays but very quickly said it was not doable as they needed to be doing academic work every evening and at weekends. Completely different ballgame from undergraduate degree.

Overoptimistix · 13/08/2021 00:29

I worked in a pub while I did mine, I didn't have children but I was pregnant. I think it's completely doable, there will be people on the course with children who take up far more time than a part time job.

It is a full time commitment but I've always found that working alongside studying concentrates your mind.

stripedbananas · 13/08/2021 03:00

PGCE is really intense and stressful. There is no way you can manage a PT job alongside it which will become very apparent very quickly.

It's not some easy casual course it's bloody hard work.

HungryHippo11 · 13/08/2021 03:44

@Eralos

I’m a teacher and you can for sure get a part time Job with a Pgce. Many on your course will. I worked full time and did my ma full time in the evenings. It’s possible.

It’s up to you though, sounds like your mum isn’t happy to support you. Maybe address that.

Have you done a PGCE? it's not the sort of course you can do in the evenings, when you're in placement is basically full time work for most students.

I did one and nobody on my course was working alongside, we all lived on the bursary.

MyOtherProfile · 13/08/2021 03:53

Sounds to me more like she thought you would get a job for the summer. You could still try and get one for the next month. I wouldn't recommend one during the PGCE. It's very full on.

Toomanyclothesinthecloset · 13/08/2021 03:57

I did a PGCE and a part time bar job at weekends...its ok if you can do weekend work.

Themeparklover · 13/08/2021 03:59

I know loads of people who worked around there pgce and quite long hours aswell

L1ttleSeahorse · 13/08/2021 03:59

So have you dont no work between May and now?

You could do some temp agency work over the next 3 weeks? (Im suspecting you won't.) A bit surprised you're not signed up already!

If youre living at home I hope youve been contributing at home. Your mum may well be feeling a bit taken for granted. Are you living at home for the pgce?

Monestera · 13/08/2021 04:00

I guess she just wants some reassurance that you can pay your board next year. Can you do this?

How come you didn’t get a job for the summer? How have you afforded to live? I guess the concern is that you have lived off her.

L1ttleSeahorse · 13/08/2021 04:01

I am surprised at people working around a full-time pgce though.

When you're in school all week you need the weekend to do the study/essays/planning.

OfTheNight · 13/08/2021 04:08

I worked in a pub while I did my PGCE, so that’s an option. You just have to be extremely time efficient to manage the workload alongside a job, but that skill will stand you in very good stead once you are teaching anyway.

MadeOfStarStuff · 13/08/2021 06:29

Doesn’t sound like you’ve put very much effort into finding a summer job and that’s probably why she’s frustrated.

Kollamoolitumarellipawkyrollo · 13/08/2021 06:40

@L1ttleSeahorse

I am surprised at people working around a full-time pgce though.

When you're in school all week you need the weekend to do the study/essays/planning.

I had a day at the weekend for that and a day at the weekend I worked. A lot of people work and do the PGCE - many have to.

EmoIsntDead · 13/08/2021 07:31

I worked two evenings 6-10pm and all day Sunday (usually 10-6) alongside my PGDE. Like you, I was young, living at home and had no dependants. It’s absolutely doable and I do find it a bit odd you aren’t working over the summer.

EmoIsntDead · 13/08/2021 07:32

I meant to add - everyone in my friendship group at uni had part-time jobs too

Heyha · 13/08/2021 09:01

I have to say I've mentored a lot of PGCE students over the years, many straight into it from uni but some mature students with and without kids.

I don't recall any of them working a great deal on the side (that they admitted to, not really my business anyway unless it's affecting their placement) but I do think one or two did a couple of shifts a week in their local pub instead of going TO the pub, in a way. Holiday camps and tutoring came up too every now and then.

Having said that, they were science PGCEs so their funding was probably more generous than some other subjects.

Maryjane3227 · 13/08/2021 09:35

I can't imagine anyone training effectively, planning reflectively and getting their head around the job whilst working full time.
It would be to the detriment of your energy, classroom presence and ability to hold the lesson together. It's a physical and mental job, like many. It's easy not to know that when you've only been on the receiving end of a lesson. Props to the poster who managed it, but most people couldn't do full time work and a PGCE.
A part-time job might be OK though, but you will need to work about 2 to 4 hours after school ends each day, and at least one day a weekend.
You could do a Saturday or Sunday job in order to make a small contribution to your mum, something that would help her with food/household shopping (which she must be paying for on your behalf right now)?

JaffavsCookie · 13/08/2021 09:39

Agree with others, only realistic option whilst doing PGCE is either babysitting or a couple of pub shifts, you will either be in school or at Uni all day every day during the week. It is a bit rubbish of you not to have worked since May though. Can you pick up 3 weeks of temporary warehouse shifts or similar?

Hankunamatata · 13/08/2021 09:40

So you havnt started your pgce yet. Most people I know for jobs in summer schemes etc to get more experience with children

Summergarden · 13/08/2021 09:42

I did a lot of evening babysitting during my PGCE.

It was ideal because as a trainee teacher I was in demand with parents and once the kids were in bed I could crack on with coursework. Would recommend you start advertising babysitting services.

YelloYelloYello · 13/08/2021 10:24

I did a bit of evening babysitting and then worked as a ‘nanny’ every holiday. It’s a hard slog training and working at the same time though.

Maybe your mum is looking for some reassurance about how much you’re going to pay her etc.

It must be hard being 21 and living at home. I’m sure you are already but make sure you’re pitching in your fair share with the housework and food shopping/cooking etc to keep things amicable.

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