What to do..what to do...a condundrum.

[crazycanuck]

This is will be a long post :o

I commence university at the end of February and am looking forward to getting back into higher learning. Although i'm happy about returning to uni, i'm not having much luck finding a part time position. I was informed that i'm unable to reduce the hours for my present position to part time 3x's a week. They did for someone else a while back :mad:

I don't want to be rude but it's come to my realization that "part time" for office related positions only go to housewives with kiddies at school :mad:. Part time in Western Australia means 10am-2pm m-f. There are few offers of job share etc. What is it with employers? *shakes head*

I don't want to work in an contact centre nor any other crap position. Grrr..
We aren't going to be worse off financially if I can't get a position right away. I just think I should be contributing to the job market. My schedule allows me to work mon, wed and thurs. I've registered with two reputable recruitment co's & am fully aware of how hard it might be for them to sell my CV to an employer.

Anyways, i've been wondering wether or not it's just worth picking up another class and forgetting about work this semester?

It's been 10yrs since I completed uni and am under no illusion about how difficult it'll be. I've made many contacts with planning firms, lobby groups, membership with PIA (planning inst of aust) etc and can see there are many opportunities out there.

I'll stop for now but have more thoughts to throw out there..

Thanks
C

[Zen]

maybe an on-campus job.
I worked in the library when I went back to school.

[Trekhawk]

I don't want to be rude but it's come to my realization that "part time" for office related positions only go to housewives with kiddies at school :mad:. Part time in Western Australia means 10am-2pm m-f. There are few offers of job share etc. What is it with employers? *shakes head*


C

Mate I think you will find that a lot of "housewives" with kids have problems finding that sort of job too. Lets face it with unemployment numbers rising and recession looming in WA its not surprising that good jobs are harder to find.

Keep positive it may just take a little longer than you thought.:)

[crazycanuck]

I have to apologize for this comment...
I don't want to be rude but it's come to my realization that "part time" for office related positions only go to housewives with kiddies at school . Part time in Western Australia means 10am-2pm m-f. There are few offers of job share etc. What is it with employers? *shakes head*

Sorry..

[Trekhawk]

I have to apologize for this comment...

Sorry..

No need to apologise mate. It can be frustrating when things seem to be harder than they need to be.

I will keep my fingers crossed that a perfect job finds you soon.
How many weeks until Uni starts?

[tulip]

When I went back to graduate school (in city planning, but that doesn't matter), I did not work the first semester. I had to make sure that I was going to do well in school, and be able to participate as fully as possible. After my first semester, I did work because i had to. I missed out on some things, like lectures and having the time to prepare and submit papers at conferences, but I had no choice in the matter.

Those other students and professors are going to be very important contacts in the job market, so spending time with them is very good thing for your future. My last two jobs came from contacts made in grad school with fellow students.

If you can swing it financially, I recommend not working while you are in school, at least not for the first semester. Summer internships yes, but while in school, no (at least not at first). Get yourself a nice grant instead!

[derailed]

Is it possible to arrange a sabbatical from work, not quitting the job, but a period of non-working time with an assurance that your job will be waiting when you get back?

I strongly second Zen's suggestion about looking for on-campus work.

[Biciclista]

QUIT your job!! if you can afford to be a student and not work, by all means, do it. Any job you get will interfere with school and cycling. Part time jobs are normally not very satisfying.

[Zen]

Part time jobs are normally not very satisfying.
Don't I know it.

[sfa]

QUIT your job!! if you can afford to be a student and not work, by all means, do it. Any job you get will interfere with school and cycling. Part time jobs are normally not very satisfying.

Yup, plus if you quit, that means some unemployed person will be able to get the job you have, so you'd get the satisfaction of helping someone indirectly like that!

If you really want to work, look into jobs on campus. I worked in the electronic resource center when I was in grad school (get this--the internet was just getting rolling as the next big thing and it was part of my job to show people how to use the Mosaic web browser, which is ancient history now but was SO COOL in 1993!) and really enjoyed it.

Sarah

[DebTX]

I was a college prof for 6 years and I agree with others who've suggested, "if you can afford to go to school and not work (even for a semester or year), then do it!!!"

Not having a job will allow you to fully immerse yourself in your studies and in the gestalt of the university experience (which extends way beyond book learning). You'll be free to attend on-campus events, lectures, study groups, etc.

After a lecture, you'll have time to head to the library if you're motivated to read on, or have coffee with classmates and faculty to develop the relationships that really sustain you during college (and for years thereafter as you all enter the workforce).

If you "must work" while in school (and I worked full time through both my masters and PhD), it's certainly possible to do so and there are even unique rewards to doing it. The theory you learn in school is often directly applicable to problems you're facing at work and that can be helpful on the job. But if you have the luxury to take some time off, immersion can be wonderful, particularly if its been a while since you've been in school.

Just my $.02

[bmccasland]

CC - I'd go with not working if you and Ian can afford it. Not even certain about picking up that extra class. But if you need the job and can get it, go for a campus job, they're better about working around class hours, grasp the concept of mid-terms or finals. Pox on your current employer! Sounds like they don't want you to grow, except into something resembling black mold.

Good luck!

[Crankin]

CC, I went back to school in September. I opted not to work, even though I have the time to. I wanted the experience of being a full time student. When I got my first master's years ago, I went at night while I was teaching. It was so hard to keep motivated. Any part time job I could get now would be a pittance of a salary and I don't really need the $. Sure, I've had to cut back a little, but the extra time I have right now for riding and other stuff, along with my studies is precious. The next 2 years of the program, I have to do a 22 hour a week internship and take 3 classes each semester. I can do it, but I am really not looking forward to it. I can do one class each semester as a weekend format (give up 2 full weekends to get the course done) to lighten the load during the week. It will be painful, but my other option is to take a weekend class in summer school, which to me is riding time, even though I'll be free all week.
Working on campus is a great solution. Many of my peers are doing this.

[malkin]

QUIT your job!! if you can afford to be a student and not work, by all means, do it. Any job you get will interfere with school and cycling. Part time jobs are normally not very satisfying.

Amen!

[crazycanuck]

Thanks for all your input!

First of all, I don't have a "professional" position so the company won't just hold it for me until i return. One day ;)

In terms of not working during the semester, I have one nagging thing that's driving me nuts. Ian keeps reminding me about how much $$$ we're losing per month with me returning to study. I don't know how to combat this & have told him I understand. He just keeps reminding me every so often.

On campus work-most of the jobs i've seen advertised for Curtin are either in the cafe & require experience or are only available for current Curtin staff..

I think casual work is what I want. Just a few hours twice a week or one full day a week. I don't think that;ll hurt.

Uni starts on the 24th.

I am presently working on a complaint letter to our director about the job I currently do..

[tulip]

Obviously, when one person goes back to school and stops working, the couple loses that income. With all due respect, why is he "reminding you every so often?" What good does that do? Ideally, this should be a good thing (you going back to school) for a variety of reasons, including increased income potential when you get out, not to mention that it's interesting and something you want to do! The couple makes adjustments if it is important to them.

This just really hit a nerve with me. My husband did not want me to go to grad school if it meant taking out student loans. Yet, he was unwilling to work full-time to make up the difference. In other words, if it inconvenienced him, my higher education was not worth it.

Sorry, it's early, my dog woke me up, and I haven't finished my tea yet, so I'm a bit grumpy.

[Crankin]

Yea, the "reminders" are not fair.
I was making a very good income when I quit my job. My husband makes an even better income and we can easily live on his salary. But, it was still an adjustment. Once in awhile, I get a warning to curb my purchases (i.e. Ibex) as I just can't spend as I please now. I did get a student loan to pay the tuition. It's a lot of money (18k a year for 3 years). But, I am paying the interest while I am in school and then will use my salary to pay the loans back when i start working. We don't have any bills except our house, which is a money pit.
This degree is for me. I worked my entire life, didn't take any time off when I had my kids, and I am looking for a little flexibility now. I don't expect to make a lot of money in my new career and frankly, after I do my two years full time to get my license, I will most likely work part time.