Job vs Career

I was talking to a friend last night, who last year finished her double degree in German and French. She has been on the dole since, as she hasnt been able to find a job that she thinks is "suitable". She isnt stupid and could do many things, but has decided she wants a job that allows her to use her degree.....

Anyway - I found myself getting really cross. I appreciate that she put a lot of hard work into getting her degree and thats awesome, but surely she must have realised that there wasnt going to be much call for someone with those qualifications in Auckland. (she doesnt want to teach).

So I guess I am interested in your views - should the tax payers / government be supporting people like this - or should they be "forced" to get a job even if it isnt in their chosen field?

 

She's capable of working therefore she should work. No offence to your friend but people like that annoy the **** out of me there's no reason she should be using the welfare system when she can work but just hasn't found the right job. She could easily work and continue to search for that "right" job.

I think that is a bit arrogant.
What's wrong with just working in a job and keeping your eyes open for the one you want at the same time?
There are plenty of jobs around and personally, I'd much rather be working somewhere than sitting around in the dole, its so depressing!

I completely agree with you...thats why I got so cross. I know that there are lots of jobs out there that she would be perfectly capable of (and even do well at)....so its drives me mad that she is sitting around waiting for the perfect job!

 

Yep I agree. She can have a job and still look for her "job" with her degree.

I agree with you too.  The thing is that yes she has a double degree but (I'm assuming) she has little or no work experience which is actually unattractive to any potential employer. 

 

She's obviously academically bright but as far as the real world goes she's not being very smart.  The fact that she is happy sitting on the dole is actually something that would put me off as an employer, they don't just look for qualifications, experience and work ethic are very important too and she's showing very little of these last two.

 

If I were her I'd first start looking for jobs in companies that have roles that interest me that I wouldn't get now but could move into in future (gosh even if she works as a reception for awhile it's a foot in the door) and if there were no jobs in these companies then I'd get a job somewhere else and keep my eye out for something that really interests me in the meantime.  I've seen many graduates come through my workplace doing exactly that... getting experience and filling in their cv, biding time until the right role comes up.

 

Then again she may just be enjoying a break after all the hardwork she put into her degrees and using "finding the right job" as an excuse to have a wee holiday.

 

Edited by MrsMojo

Mojo - usually I'd agree re. the holiday part....but she finished her study last year. So that's almost a year ago...that's a little it more than a wee holiday, I think??

Um, I have a degree in English, a post grad in second language teaching and a diploma in secondary teaching - when i graduated I couldn't find a job in my "career", so took a job at Pak N Save while I waited. You get a job whereever and then keep looking. your friend is a bit precious! sorry!

Thanks ladies - its pretty much all the same stuff that I tried to explain to her.

 

I don't know about the need to force people into the workforce... being on the dole isn't exactly an easy ride either! You get feck all money and are subjected to the public stigma against those who use the welfare system.

Usually the people that have taken this long to get a job are suffering from low self esteem and lack of motivation. I don't know if your friend exactly is... and maybe you have already... but encourage her to go out and apply for things and fire off CVs left/right and centre - and I mean jobs that ARE relevant to her degree. Is she stuck in Auckland? I see translator etc type jobs around the place all the time! What about something that is with an organisation where she could move on up? That's what I'm doing.

I know Tobin wants to work in an area that is more relevant to his interests (he is the sort that has a sh*te job... he refused to go on the dole) but every time I suggest a job that he should go for, he makes an excuse (due to low self esteem). THAT drives me mental. I would rather he was on the dole so there was more of an incentive to get out IYGWIM?

Right. Ramble over.

Edited by nicelis