What's a guy like me to do?

Forever in school I remember teachers saying I could do whatever in the world I wanted as a career. That I could definitely do what I wanted as long as I worked hard for it.. which is a load of toss to be honest.

I'm now 20 years old desperately looking for a job and can't even find a crap job let alone a good job.. let alone one I enjoy. I have future career prospects, such as investigative journalism, factual/fictional film making, music performance/production and fictional writin all of which I have at least some talent and experience in.. but this requires money. Money for courses, money for equipment, money for this money for that and a lot of my talents take time to make money off. (The money would just be a bonus from my creative media projects) I also have plenty of potential business ventures but these require money..

I barely have enough money to feed myself especially considering I have to top up rent from my benefits. I don't even want to be on benefits I want a job! Anything for now! All the empty promises from school ringing around my head!!

Its a shame and its only going to get worse.

After a lot of hard work, effort and self confidence as of late I know I'll get a job eventually.. its younger people than me that I'm worried about. Kids leaving school in the coming years..

We have a lot more painful austerity measures left to go. Just wait until the riots and protests around the London Olympics and in the coming years.. its bad enough as it is especially in Greece but that's nothing compared to what's to come.

Zzzzz. need a job.

I'm saddened to hear of your plight, but you realize that you are not alone.

Unfortunately for you and others who are artistically inclined, economic times like these are the most brutal for the writers/musicians/artists. Most people tend to believe that art is a luxury and not a necessity (not all, just most), therefore the artists are left to sink or swim.

When/if the world's economy gets better and you have made it through the storm you'll be free to chase your dreams.

I wish you the best.

reply to post by Dreine

Thanks
I can't wait for things to get better. I would just move somewhere else but my girlfriend has a stable career, all my friends and immediate family are here, I love this town and I have no money to move OR a car..

zzz

reply to post by TechUnique


The medical field seems to usually keep opportunity-even something you can get quick training on like a CNA certified nursing assistant-RN registered nurse ect. My worst case was those 2 or to go be a garbage man if there is no work. I have no pride block preventing me from working to make money so I can do theses messy jobs if I must. Just keep looking around & good luck

Start a blog...that's free and you can use your creative writing talent for that, and you never know who might start to read it! Also it gives you a chance to hone your skills, you're still very young, so there are many things you can learn about. Okay so it won't give you any extra money, but it will give you experience and a focus for your talents.

But don't get too disheartened, keeping a positive outlook is very important in order to become successful..you have plenty of time yet

I have earned 39k a year in the past running a pub, was I happy ..no so I went working in various care environments yeah the money is rubbish but the job satisfaction is great.
There are plenty of old folks homes wanting people who are from the UK (most care homes have over 75% foriegn workers).
Start as a carer and work your way up that's what I have done.
You can always use the cash you earn to start up your own business and still do things you enjoy on the side.
If you do not fancy care work get any job and even if it is crap put 100% into it and you will get noticed.
Good luck anyhow dude take care xx


PS also if you go into care with your skills you would be good as an music/art therapist, it is great fun.

Oh and sorry I did Lol when you talked about younger people heck your not a man yet lol (21 then your a man)

reply to post by TechUnique


You're young, that's one thing you have going for you. I have always been artistically inclined, playing music, painting, many other things. I always thought I'd make my living doing something like that. Well, finally I just went back to school and got an engineering degree. Now I make the big bucks, but I am stuck behind a desk with a mind numbing job. If you can stick with your dreams and make that work you'll be happier in the long run...

Start an indoor snail farming operation .
Set up a Digital Marketing & Promotion Company .

reply to post by TechUnique


So you don't work and spend hour after hour on internet forums, complaining about having no job and no money.

May I ask who pays for your food and rent ? Your mommy ? Your girlfriend ? The society ?

reply to post by TechUnique

I have future career prospects, such as investigative journalism, factual/fictional film making, music performance/production and fictional writin all of which I have at least some talent and experience in.. but this requires money.

No it doesn't. Not if you are serious. How did you get the experience you have? By working for studios? If you have that desire you find some, go there every day and do the shlt jobs, for free if need be.

You want in? Get in at the bottom cleaning latrines and taking out the garbage. Be on site doing unconnected labor, get to know people there, get in their face, tell them about your interest, about your desire to learn. Do the time, be on time, become a fixture. Continue classes if you can afford them all the while imprinting on the people there.

Then one day, maybe, if your lucky, an opportunity will open in the line of work at that studio or facility and you're IN!

Best wishes...

reply to post by TechUnique


If you have ideas for ventures, right it down in a business plan, and try Kickstarter.

Kickstarter

probably easier than finding an angel investor.

However if every ATS member kicks in a dollar than would more than help get you started. Most of em are just tight though!

You can study a healthcare nvq for nothing but it will give you a gateway to being a care worker which can pay up to £14 per hour... And they are screaming for people at the moment everywhere.. They are taking people on with no qualifications or experience too.. Would get you off the dole mate..

If I remember correctly you're Hastings way?

So If my memory serves me correctly (if not I've just shot myself in the foot) I am sorry to say your choices are very limited.. I would say, and I know this might sound cruel, but you would be better off looking for work Brighton way, even if it travelling by train to begin with and then build from there. Given Brightons reputation for being on the creative fringe, you might even find the right contacts for writing etc.

I say this because my partners son's girlfriend is Bexhill Way and to be honest at 19 he can do as many courses as he likes over there, but the chances of him getting any kind of a job over there that would mean he and his girlfriend could stay there together is really really slim, so I am guessing it must be more dire the closer you get to Hastings... and the only thing we can do is encourage them both to come this way, towards Brighton, where they have a chance of a better life.

If it was me, I would be looking at the agencies that line Queens Road (runs from Brighton Station towards the seafront) part way along Queens Road (No 113) is Brighton Housing Trust and they have a list of all the landlords that take people on benefits and either none or low deposit.. but I think Brighton housing trust also has offices in Hastings, perhaps they might be able to advise you?

Sorry I can't offer better advice, but perhaps when you're more sorted, you can move back home, start a business and help others? and at least you are only a relatively short train journey along the coast from family.

Warm wishes, Nick.

[ For those that don't know while Hastings might be in the South, large parts fall into our nations most deprived 1%. ]

Originally posted by H1ght3chHippie
reply to post by TechUnique

 

So you don't work and spend hour after hour on internet forums, complaining about having no job and no money.

May I ask who pays for your food and rent ? Your mommy ? Your girlfriend ? The society ?

It's fun being snarky!!

Seriously, did you make it through the first sentence? Your question was answered in the OP.

I'm sure he doesn't want to be where he is, but schools don't generally teach kids to be entrepreneurs or to think outside the box when seeking work. The lucky ones learn from family and friends by example, but you won't hear much from them as they are busy out working somewhere. At 20, I don't fault the OP for not yet learning something the schools don't teach. If he said he was 40, I would look at it much differently.

Good luck OP. think outside the box for work. Search online for ideas, maybe you can make something to sell. Try eBay, I often buy items from the UK and even an extra 5-10 pounds a day would add up. If you can't find one regular job yet try combining several little ones, preferably ones you create.

I'm currently doing voluntary work experience because I too cant get a job and have been unemployed for a year ( I have a 2:1 degree btw) and we have had 2 15 year old boys from a school doing a work placement for a week and I heard one of them say,
"whats the point in me trying to look for a job when I've finished school? Theres not enough jobs anyway so whats the point?".
This comment struck a chord with me, it made me realise the kind of knock on effect this will have for future generations, not just the current generation.
Many young kids will develop this attitude about work and will lead to even bigger long term problems.
These problems will take decades to fix.

Originally posted by H1ght3chHippie
reply to post by TechUnique

 

So you don't work and spend hour after hour on internet forums, complaining about having no job and no money.

May I ask who pays for your food and rent ? Your mommy ? Your girlfriend ? The society ?

Until I find work what do you expect me to do?
..

Lol your post made me laugh do you have any idea how little work there is round here? How hard it is for me? Wait till you lose your job or spend all your inheritance then cry for real.

Originally posted by thoughtsfull
If I remember correctly you're Hastings way?

So If my memory serves me correctly (if not I've just shot myself in the foot) I am sorry to say your choices are very limited.. I would say, and I know this might sound cruel, but you would be better off looking for work Brighton way, even if it travelling by train to begin with and then build from there. Given Brightons reputation for being on the creative fringe, you might even find the right contacts for writing etc.

I say this because my partners son's girlfriend is Bexhill Way and to be honest at 19 he can do as many courses as he likes over there, but the chances of him getting any kind of a job over there that would mean he and his girlfriend could stay there together is really really slim, so I am guessing it must be more dire the closer you get to Hastings... and the only thing we can do is encourage them both to come this way, towards Brighton, where they have a chance of a better life.

If it was me, I would be looking at the agencies that line Queens Road (runs from Brighton Station towards the seafront) part way along Queens Road (No 113) is Brighton Housing Trust and they have a list of all the landlords that take people on benefits and either none or low deposit.. but I think Brighton housing trust also has offices in Hastings, perhaps they might be able to advise you?

Sorry I can't offer better advice, but perhaps when you're more sorted, you can move back home, start a business and help others? and at least you are only a relatively short train journey along the coast from family.

Warm wishes, Nick.

[ For those that don't know while Hastings might be in the South, large parts fall into our nations most deprived 1%. ]

edit on 29/6/12 by thoughtsfull because: (no reason given)

Yes I do live in Hastings! Its awful out here opportunity wise and some guy in this thread is bitching at me for being on benefits. Thanks for your advice! I was considering moving to Brighton or traveling. Isn't housing really expensive in Brighton?

Thanks to everyone for posting there's been some good advice!

You are 20 years old your not gonig to get out of school and have the world handed to you. It's gonna take time and hard work to get your life on track. Especially in todays world. I know people with collage digrees that never went any where in life. I know poeple without a high school diploma that make $25 an hour.

My cousin has his masters in computer science. He complains because he only makes $150k a year. It took years for him to get where he's at and he's 38 years old.

And remember...don't try to bend the spoon. That's clearly impossible. Instead, try to realize the truth.

Originally posted by H1ght3chHippie
reply to post by TechUnique

 

So you don't work and spend hour after hour on internet forums, complaining about having no job and no money.

May I ask who pays for your food and rent ? Your mommy ? Your girlfriend ? The society ?

Excluding society, and only given you're a tax payer yourself in the UK, then its none of your business who pays the kids rent and food.