20141029

It's hard out there for a grad...


My blog is usually a bit of an escape from real life stuff so why I'm doing this post, I'm not sure. I'm afraid the title is about as fun as this post is going to get, so if you're looking for my usual content; come back tomorrow....



Without sounding obnoxiously self-pitying; it's not easy being a young person at this time in this economy. The world that our generation of 20-somethings have come into is not the one that our parents experienced. 

Those of us who went to university are graduating with much bigger debt than we probably anticipated, due to a government made up of people who got their degrees for free. And it's frustrating. Once upon a time a degree was a golden ticket into a job, but now we're paying so much more and very few of us are in graduate roles within 6 months of leaving university. Students and graduates are often expected to do unpaid work in one of the most expensive cities in the world in the hopes of improving their prospects and even then nothing is guaranteed.

If you do get a coveted place on a graduate scheme you're often expected to relocate down to London. Rent prices are high, but with a lot of compromise you can find something that your starting salary will cover. However, what about in 10 years time? If we're spending all our money on rent then how are we supposed to save up a deposit to buy? Owning a home is an unrealistic dream for much of our generation, never mind in London...

The 'lucky' ones who already live there are resigned to living at home indefinitely and it isn't exactly fun to have to go back to mum and dad feeling like a failed grown-up. There are so many things you gain practically and as a person by leaving home, but for many of us it just isn't an option right now. Relying on your parents doesn't feel as bad when you're studying but by the time you graduate it's a different story.

I'm not sure where I'm going with this as, unsurprisingly I don't have a magic solution. Maybe these are 'first world problems' in some ways, but it doesn't mean that feeling scared for the future, confused about where you're going and who you are, aren't valid feelings to have. I think we were promised that if we worked hard in school, if we went to a good university, if we applied ourselves then we would be ok but for many people that just hasn't happened and you can't help but question yourself. It's hard to believe you're smart and capable when no one else seems to.

personally have gone through periods of depression and low self-worth because years of hard work hadn't got me to where I hoped I would be. I've pulled myself out of it a little but worrying about the future is something I keep returning to. I've been very lucky to have a good support network around me that helped me go to university to begin with as well as to pursue job opportunities. I realise not everyone has those things and appreciating how fortunate I've been helps me when I get down about things. 

If you're reading this and have similar worries and issues, you're honestly not alone. The future looks bleak from here but so many of us are going through the same thing and I think the least we can do is talk about it and try to support each other. I hope my sharing this has helped someone in some way and if you want to talk publicly or privately I'm more than happy to! I'm not quite looking at the situation from the other end of the tunnel but I've reached a point where I'm 'ok' and I'm not beating myself up for not being where I'd hoped. To be honest I really think that's something (even if I don't have it all figured out) and the only way is up! 

I hope my ramblings have resonated with someone out there and made them feel a little less trapped and alone. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments.



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14 comments

  1. Completely with you on this! I graduated last year and decided to go travelling in between job hunting in the hope I wouldn't get too down. I guess it did help, but I've definitely been frustrated with the entire process! I've managed to land a job now, but the search wasn't a fun process at all. I guess my advice to anyone would be to remain resilient and not give up :)

    Style Sunrise☀

    :)
    x

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    1. Congratulations :) I think it's the uncertainty; I'm sure my future self will look back and wish I could tell myself now not to worry and things will somehow work out...xx

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  2. I sooo agree with you on this! I am kind of dreading graduating from my Masters in a year's time! I guess it all kind of depends on luck and being in the right place at the right time too!
    ps- Love the name of this post!

    Rachel | Beauty & The Bird

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    1. Yeah it's all very well knowing you're capable but it's about applying to the right things and knowing how to present yourself well in the initial stages of recruitment.
      And thanks haha xx

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  3. Hi, I wrote a post last year about my experience as a Graduate http://is.gd/OGeNJw -it's hard but trust me, you get there in the end x

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    1. Thank you for sharing :) it made me feel a little better reading that xx

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  4. Oh man, I'm currently in my final year and I'm terrified! :(

    Penned by Jenny

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    1. I think in final year everyone's worst nightmare is not coming out to a grad job. But it happened to me and I'm genuinely ok (though it took a while to accept things). I would concentrate on getting the best possible degree instead of applying to lots of jobs (maybe choose 5 you really love the look of and just apply to those). Good luck! xx

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  5. This post sums up my life right now. I completed my second degree at the beginning of September, but started the process of looking for graduate jobs this time last year. After failing to get into the prestigious grad schemes for my industry, I felt so dejected, and finishing a Masters with no job to start has just felt horrific. I'm interviewing at the moment but have had so many rejections, and so many ignored applications, and it really is tough. I'm one of the 'lucky ones' who's parents live in London, but my boyfriend who's a few years older than me is now ready to buy somewhere, ideally with me, but of course I'm nowhere near ready for that as a recent grad with no job and student loans coming out of my ears.

    Excellent post that pretty much summed up grad-life! X

    Kitty | kittyhearts.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I know where you're coming from, I applied to 40+ schemes and didn't get a single offer in my final year. I guess it teaches you resilience! xx

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  6. Loved your post!
    I think I'm going to keep a gap year to blog instead of going straight on the job hunt, to see where that takes me!
    oriannasoracle.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you :) that's a nice idea if you're financially able xx

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  7. I graduated from uni more than three years ago but I'm still living with my parents. Compared with my friends, I sometimes do feel like I'm lagging behind in terms of 'adult progress', but I try to think that life is about living to your own timeline and not being pressured to act or feel a particular way because of 'society' or comparing yourself to your peers. Thank you for sharing your story - I'm sure you're far from alone in your struggles and I hope that things look up for you and you find yourself on the path to where you want to be :)

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    1. That's all very true. Thank you for taking the time to comment :) xx

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