Any careers ideas for me?

Question

I have a 2:1 degree in Ancient and Medieval History (2001). I originally wanted to work in the museums/heritage sector.

It has never helped me get a job. I applied for loads of history related jobs but the competition is so fierce I rarely even got to interview stage - plus was additionally held back by my not being bilingual with Welsh (I live in Wales).

The village where I live recently had an opening for a heritage officer. I aplpied and didn't even get shortlisted for interview! I guess there was too much competition, I don't know.

I've done several dead end office jobs and callcentre jobs and am now at home with my 11 month old baby.

I need to start thinking about finding work but I have no idea what to look for. I feel I should get some training or further study but can't afford to fund it.

I have very little confidence as far as applying for jobs. I need some feasible ideas of what I could do.

Answer 1

Don't give up! I know just how frustrating it can be. I have a 2:1 in photography. After graduating I started my own business, quite successfully. Unfortunately, my ex went crazy and burnt the lot! I ended up homeless for a while. When I could settle again I started doing any job that I could bear, at the same time applying for jobs in photography. No luck.

Now I've started my own business again. Hard work, but I'm getting there. Don't give up!

Answer 2

Hello,

(ANS) First of all, please DON'T feel bad about yourself. Why? because the world of work and employment has been turned upside down repeatedly over the last few years due to a shift towards global capitalism. This leave the individual in a tail spin, we are thus thrown back on ourselves in terms of making sense of the world of work & employment.

Some interesting points:-

**NOTE: gone are the days when you had any job security, now work is 95% short term contacting & insecure by default. If you have a job that lasts more than 12months thats pretty good these days (unless you are self employed).

Careers in new decade:- "new graduates can expect to hold ten to twelve jobs in three to five different fields during either working lifetime"

(OK!! this is talking about the USA specifically but the same also applies here too in my opinion). Contrast that to my fathers generation, he did one five year degree, qualified and had x1 job in the NHS as a doctor that lasted 35years in his lifetime. He never had to worry about job security or re-skilling or ageism,etc.

**We now face having to be either experts in something, be that a niche subject or niche field of some kind. Or be an Entrepreneur in some shape or form but that fine if you fit those models, but what if you don't fit these concepts.

Please can I recommend to you and excellent book which I have found to be extremely helpful in making sense to career direction and reviewing future career moves. The book is as follows:-

Title: I could do anything if I only knew what it was!!
By: Barbara Sher and Barbara Smith
Pub: DTP (dell trade paperback)
ISBN: 0-440-50500-3
Costs: $16 or $23 can or about £8 UK

Hope that helps?

Kind Regards Ivan

Answer 3

Do not give up.Keep on trying till you get it.Meanwhile try to improve your qualifications.Being a student of history donot limit your career in museums alone.There is demand for teachers get qualified in teaching.
Since you are at home with baby why do not try jornalism or creative writing course through distance learning.Freelance jounalist earns more than a museum curator.You can also try writing in tourism related subjects,places of historical importance.A course from Writers Bureau,London may be of help.You can be on your own.There is no limit for earning and your creativity or capacity is the only limiting factor.Good Luck

Answer 4

You've got a good degree! It's not ideal perhaps but what about looking for a job for which they want graduates but not necessarily restricted to certain degrees eg civil service fast track, corporate graduate training schemes, or may be magazine of book editing (there must be histury periodicals out there desperate for you!).

Are you tied to where you live now, or would you move for the right job?

Being willing to move opens up a lot of avenues but if you live near to a large vibrant city like Cardiff there will be lots of good jobs which will challenge you out there.

I gritted my teeth and went to a careers consultant who tarted up my CV for me and gave me great advice about covering letters etc... her name was Tanya Gunn and she's based in Oxfordshire but we did everything by email and phone. Before I saw her I was like you not even getting interviews but since she's sorted me out I've been head-hunted! In total it cost me £150 not bad really, considering how much better I felt just after talking to her!

Good luck and I guarentee you'll get a job soon you might just have to adjust your expectations - eg what about going to you course alumni site and finding out what other people are doing now, it might give you some ideas.

Answer 5

i substitute into an Oxymoron (militia Intelligence), had a ball too! And in recent times they have some rather cool toys! military Enlisted job Descriptions and Qualification factors considerable Menu Air rigidity Enlisted job Descriptions and Qualification factors Coast shelter Enlisted job Descriptions considerable Menu us of a Marine Corps Enlisted job Descriptions and Qualification factors considerable Menu military Enlisted score (job) Descriptions and Qualification factors considerable Menu

Answer 6

Could try getting on your back for a few bob i spose, then join the television industry.