what jobs can I actually do?

Question

I think I am having a bit of a crisis and would welcome any suggestions (preference to nice ones though!)

I graduated in 2004 with a 2.1 degree from Chelsea College of Art & Design in Textile Design B.A. Hons.

After graduating I did some freelance work but really needed company so ended it and ended up as I am now working minimum wage in retail. (after a spell at a greengrocers!!)

I dont want to work in retail forever- I just need to be doing something and have to earn enough to live on- after a month on the dole I was v.bored and found it wasnt enough for me cash wise either! (I am getting £20 a week more by working).

I have now 2 years retail experience,the last 3 at supervisory level and I cant take it anymore- its so dull, the staff are underpaid and over worked and I need something else!

The trouble is, I'm not able to even apply for anything else, I want to be creative but all the creative jobs require computer skills and I havent got enough money- or time

to study for a course (e.g in computer skills) which is very vague if you are not entirley sure what you need to learn to become "fluent").

HELP??!

I love helping people- adults and not children, but cannot stand another day of trying to force feed customers poor quality retail design!(I work in River Island). I dont really have a big picture or ambition, but I do need to earn enough to live on as I live alone and in London. (council flat) and cant move home.

Answer 1

It is so sad how many people get trapped by circumstance, but you are only three years away from your graduation. The world of textiles and your knowledge of it can't have moved out of your reach in that time can it?

However, there was something about your place in the textile industry that didn't meet your needs, and an alternative job is not satisfying, and probably quite time consuming, and the chances are you have a student loan to contend with as well and is probably the underlying reason why you are not willing to commit yourself to another course to master computers

Do you know what you want to do or be?
It doesn't matter if it seems out of the question at the moment. What is required is the desire.

If you have no specific dream, and are at bit at sea. Then maybe you could try the following

First write out a brag sheet. This is not necessarily for employer consumption, but to present yourself well you need to feel good about yourself.

Next you need to write out a life cost sheet. You've said somethings that are of value to you like company and creativity and what of your time is achieving that. If you do this first you may get depressed

You've said one answer, which is computers, and you've come up with one problem, and that is time. But by doing the two exercises I've suggested it may throw this idea into a different light. You are making a fatal mistake of an at this time view. I know I've made that mistake. It never solves anything and it robs you of your life.

But of course, the object of posting on Yahoo answers is to get ideas that you may not have considered. Have you considered teaching or lecturing? There maybe possibilties of running an evening course at your local adult education department, of at least being involved in one. You retail experience will be invaluable for people skills, organisational skills and time management, and your textile degree for an creative subject.

Maybe you could take over the management of a charity shop. Charities are big business. They may love someone like you working for them. And you also may find some satisfaction,

I did ask if you had a dream. In that case, don't let it go. Keep with it, kindle the fire, keep it burning and work it through. You will probably find that people are more willing to open doors for those who know what they want, than for those who are merely following the line of least resistance..

I wish you well.

Answer 2

If you want to start looking for more creative jobs again, I think a good place to look is the careers section of the University of the Arts website...especially as you went to Chelsea, they may also be able to offer you advice:
http://www.arts.ac.uk/student/careers/1759.htm

They only update listings once a week or so, and there wont always be vacancies relevant to what you want to do, but there's usually quite a few retail jobs too-which you have experience of, and may be a means of getting a foot in the door of a small company.

Although money would obviously be an issue, a short work placement may be worthwhile for experience/ to test different types of job -and at the moment on the site above there's an Alexander McQueen placement being advertised.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

try taking a councilling course and become a councillor?

Other good courses that would you suit you would be:
Nursing
Join a youth centre for free and try and get on a youth scheme to get an extra qualification
Umm drug rehab councillor
Social Services
Refuge Collection pay good wages
Street Maintenance

But really you should have qualified in a degree with a little more substance. Loads of unis and colleges have qualifications in anything to get bums in seats and the money rolling in, however these often have no job prospects at the end which many people think because its a degree they will get a job, but nope. Dont worry there are many people in your situation and there will always be at least something you could do.

Answer 4

You're unhappy with your job, because it feels like a dead end, and you aren't getting any respect there. You'd like to be doing something creative with your time.

It might help you to remember that many musicians, painters, designers, and animators are forced to keep day jobs, in order to pay the bills (sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently). But their spirits are kept afloat, because they know that their free time can be devoted to the creative things that they love doing.

Have you tried meeting different creative people in your area? Their respect for you can be very sustaining, while you're dealing with an average day job! And, you might even get tips to land a much more satisfying job.

Also, you might consider making and selling some creative things, after registering on www.ebay.co.uk

Good luck!

Answer 5

I feel sorry for you but I work for the government and the pay is no better and after 41 years in low pay I guess I have just got used to it, so I suggest you just get used to it too, there are 50,000 imigrants waiting to fill your shoes who will force wages down still further. Good luck