Tag: job search

Graduate in patterns

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Graduate patterns
Made in Canva. Background photo by me (Mia)

It seems I’ve only been a graduate and nothing much else. I haven’t got a job even if I studied a lot of things. I see patterns here. Maybe I’m just meant to be a graduate. I’m not getting any younger and soon no one definitely doesn’t want to hire me. The last time I was a graduate was two years ago in web design. It’s really sad people only recognize you if you have job experience. I have at least done something. Maybe people think I’m just lazy and useless. I don’t feel that myself. I studied because I want to learn new things and because finding a job in this country is impossible if you’re an introvert. You’re not appreciated either if you haven’t been to a certain school. If it’s not an official qualification that has been approved by the Finnish National Agency for education, it’s not a real education. It shouldn’t matter because it’s what you can do that count. Especially if it’s a creative occupation.

There is a lot of bias against certain schools and one of them is Helsinki Design School. Next time I graduate is in June which is soon. Just because it’s not an official qualifying, employers don’t appreciate it at all. I don’t think it won’t change this time either. I studied photography there in 2014-2015. One of my fellow students went to a job interview once and was laughed off. Some attitude from that employer. It’s a private school which isn’t very common in Finland. It’s still an education where you learn things. People in Finland probably think creative jobs are science fiction where you need to be a professor to succeed. But it’s actually not that hard. It’s a real shame you’re not given a chance to prove yourself if you’re not highly educated. If someone has the time and money to get a master’s degree (or whatever), then let them but I don’t want to learn the same things several times. I already studied a 2-year qualification and educations longer than that are too long.

I’m not made for a job that doesn’t require creative thinking. I’ve tried office jobs but they bore me to tears. My aim has always been on the creative side. When I read about people suggesting to other people to find a new occupation I scream inside. I haven’t even started the current one. Some people can stay at their current jobs as long as they wish but I will rather be without one. At least I can be myself and not having to be in a workplace where you don’t even fit in. A lot of people have jobs they don’t like but need to stay to earn money. They don’t have time to study new things because life gets in the way. I might have been in many graduations but I also not stuck in my ways. Studying in general is good for your mind. When you graduate from something you feel you’ve achieved something. That’s the biggest award you can ever get.

What a job mentor has given me

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coaching goal
Made in Canva

A job mentor is someone who helps you with job search and with resumes. You also call them career mentors. As an unemployed, you get to go to different job search courses and you can also get a personal mentor if you like. How fun and you get closer to that job you want. buzzer Wrong, you only get something to do during the day. Maybe you get tips about job search but it won’t help you get a job. It gives the mentor a job. Maybe someone has succeeded to find a job by using these mentors but usually, they’re a waste of time. I should know. I’m been in a lot of different job search courses. But I’m not bitter. There has been something positive too. So this is what a job mentor has given me.

I’ve had two different mentors. One was twice. The first one was in 2008 or 2009. I didn’t have any examination at the time. We searched for internships but we didn’t find anything. Photography was very important to me at the time. The mentor suggested if I would apply for education instead. I was reluctant at first because I didn’t want to study for too many years. She (the mentor) found an education where photography wasn’t the main thing but it had it. It was a 2-year education. It felt really long but after thinking about it, I decided to apply for it. It was an undergraduate degree in visual expression. It was a basic graphic design and it also had photography. Before I applied I went to that school for a week to see how it was to study there. I think that helped me to get in. So after two years, I graduated. When I think back, I wish I would have continued with graphic design after that. I would have much more experience now. Photography was just so stuck in my mind so I didn’t think about any other options. You live and learn.

The second mentor really tried to help to find me at least an internship but again, no one wanted to take an intern. We looked on the internet about different companies and contacted them. Or the mentor did because I hate calling. Either way, no chance anywhere. It’s not the mentor’s fault companies doesn’t want to give a chance. They only want people with job experiences and not someone they think they have to babysit. The only achievement I got from this mentor was an internship in one of my local newspaper as a photographer. But it was only 2 weeks which was ridiculous. That’s actually my last internship so far. At least I got some of my photos published. I had this mentor twice because the jobcentre suggested it. I don’t find this kind of services useful when it comes to job search. In some things, they can be useful but it hasn’t helped my case that much. The same with job search courses where other people attend.

And boy, have I been on those courses. I’ve been to career coaching and job search training. You can find all kinds of tips online and study it by yourself. In the end, it still won’t get you a job. There are too many unemployees and not enough jobs. You need job experience in your resume. It doesn’t mean what you’ve studied. Then you also need to be good at job interviews. Job search is just so complicated so no wonder people get depressed. Nothing is never good enough. My good results from these mentors and courses are two educations. Latest was the web design course in 2016-2017. All of these have been my choices and that’s how it should be. I’ve done at least something and not just be. Many people have been on job search courses and had mentors but felt disappointed. They only think about the negative. I try to find something good about it. Some things wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t attended any of those courses. It didn’t help to get me a job but at least I’ve grown as a person. Maybe that will pay off one day.

Here is to hope

Mia2 Comments
rainbow in the horizon
Made in Canva

Maybe I’m being unrealistic but there is always hope no matter how bad things get. If I didn’t have it I would probably not be here today. You need hope to get through with life. If you give up too easily when things get tough, hope will be pointless. I have experienced loss and grief but having hope to move on has helped me get through them. Having too much hope can also make you feel blue when things don’t go the way you want to.

Having so many disappointments can make you bitter but it can also make you look at things differently. I’ve expected too much about the educations I’ve had. I thought I would have at least more work experience but no luck. Educations don’t seem to help anything. Finding a job is the only thing I’ve lost hope for. Only young people seem to get internships. On one workplace they had these young interns and they get to work with real projects. People like that will always get a better chance that I ever will because I lack experience. I feel like a loser because I’m not wanted anywhere. It seems that you’re too old even when you’re under 50. I don’t know what job I’ve good for. Even now when I study graphic design it feels like I’m an amateur. Some people seem to get all these great experiences and I’m still running in circles. Nothing much as changed in 10 years. I don’t even want to look what’s on offer because I know in advance I won’t have a chance. You need 3 or more years of job experience and skills I don’t have. I’ve been stupid for believing education would help to get a job. Internships don’t mean anything. But that’s better than nothing. Some don’t even have that. Still, having studied hasn’t totally been in vain. I’ve learned things I didn’t know about before. Learning new things is good for your mental health.

I hope to find some solution to these dilemmas in life. I don’t want to be someone who gives up hope because of someone else. You should enjoy the small things of hope. For me, music is one form of hope. If I feel down I listen to songs that cheer me up. It’s incredible how effective music is. It takes all the worries away. Here is to hope, cheers. 🍸