probs not a really appropriate forum to ask but I get one well with most of you and ninja and the rest of the gang are good to talk to about anything. I've been scroungeing for full-time employment for a few months now with no luck the only thing I got was work with an agency working as a PA in offices.. but the work is just not secure some weeks I get as little as 4 hours.. since I left school I studied marketing, finance, project management and various different areas of business projects (about 6-7 years of study in total) it ha got me NOWHERE... yes I know its hard for everyone and if there wasnt a recession (which has officialy started again according to BBC News, not that anyone noticed we were out of one lol) I'd probs find work, but I think I should et some practical knowledge such as plumbing, carpentrey, brick work... I think I'd find more work oppourtunities if I knew how to build something or fix something.. do you think it would be a good investment of money to enroll on a course where I could learn such things or do you think it wouldnt make a difference..?

No I think it would be a waste of money. 70% of students do not get a job after studies, that is a current statistic and my girlfriend who has a PHD has been struggling for months.

Sometimes it is not what you know but who you know. My trade is product management but before I did that a got a job through a friend doing floor laying in the building trade. I learned hands on but only lasted a year as it wasn't for me. It's alot easier to get into the building trade than getting a job with papers and qualifications behind you.

As long as you turn up showing willing and you are keen that is all you need in the building trade. That and a bit of blag... Yea sure I like to work hard and help to build things. Sounds simple but that's what it is.

My girlfriend, like you and many many others are all in the same boat, done time at uni and are now stuck in the 70% that can't get a job.

My girlfriend does car boot sales selling clothes, perfume, girly stuff etc to earn money. Which is ridiculous considering the qualifications she has. But for the time being it's an income. I do the carboots with her I buy alot from Ebay and sell at the car boots I was up this morning at 4 am but I made £170 even though I don't need it. There are alot of ways to make money Killa but things like a carboot are temp and weather dependant.

I would suggest going to building sites early in the morning and just asking around the guys on site to speak to the foreman. Then say to him hey man have you got any jobs going I'm an handy person and a quick learner and was wondering if you got any jobs going.

If you do get a job in the building trade STILL be looking for a job in the trade you went to uni for but in the meantime at least you got an income.

A PHD and she cant get a job? then theres no hope for me may aswell rob a bank and get sent back to prison because atleast in there you dont pay rent or food costs LOL

Yea she has a PHD been studying for years and to me in the current way things are it's just pathetic. A waste of time. She's a fighter and won't give up so will keep on looking and keep on being interviewed.

Robbing a bank might work you might not get caught lol but seriously that shouldn't be entering your head now that you have a son.

Get some determination inside your head Killa. You might be struggling now but it won't always be this way.

Ninja wrote:

Yea she has a PHD been studying for years and to me in the current way things are it's just pathetic. A waste of time. She's a fighter and won't give up so will keep on looking and keep on being interviewed.

Robbing a bank might work you might not get caught lol but seriously that shouldn't be entering your head now that you have a son.

Get some determination inside your head Killa. You might be struggling now but it won't always be this way.

LOl I joke Ninja I joke... I dont believe in things being handed out for free I dont even claimjob seekers allowence or anything, me and my gf are just about making ends meet she works 9hrs a week I do on average 18...my mum says pride will be the death of me and I should claim as so many people who arent even trying to find work are claiming, but I just cant bring myelf to go into a job centre like a bum and sign on. But seriously I cant get over someone with a PHD cant find work?? I didnt even think that was possible...... thing is even if your gf applied for a basic job like working in a restaurant they probs would say shes over qualified and would fear she wouldnt be commited due to being so well educated and knowing she could do better. It really is a catch 22

ninja is right, studying should get you the jobs you want but everyone just wants experience instead of credentials (sp?). if you know anyone in the field you want to work in, or doing a job that you wouldnt mind doing then give them a shout, see if they can hook you up with something, even if its going in a few days a week and shadowing someone. its a foot in the door at the very least