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

[crazycanuck]

This is will be a long post

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

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*

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 . 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.