Getting a job….

I'm a graduate, have worked from the age of 12 (papers); supported myself all the way through uni and am generally a pleasant individual - so I hope! So when I finish University after 4 years of hard work and a considerable amount of debt later you hope that you have gained transferable and desirable skills, which could potentially be an asset in the workplace….one hopes.

Unfortunately this perception that studying for years will increase your employability may be a myth….now I understand that there is more to being a desirable employee than academia, which having worked in several part-time jobs over the years ranging from customer service positions, administrative support to supervisory positions thought that I may have taken a step in the right direction to have gained actual work experience….apparently not.

After a number of months spent applying for jobs of varying levels I hit a brick wall…what was I to do now? I had had my summer of travelling- racking up even more debt- and had completed my degree, should I do a masters, should I try and work abroad, or should I try and get some work experience?

The latter option was the most appealing. Then the problem of finances reared its ugly but inevitable head…what would I do for money, how would I pay my debts back or at least keep on top of them? Then ProjectScotland came to my aid…a way of gaining work experience, whilst receiving some form of financial support, with the added flexibility to keep a part-time job on the go at the same time. Fab.

My placement has been cracking, I have met some lovely people, have had an interesting insight into the workings of a vast organisation that is the Scottish Executive, have learnt new skills, practiced existing ones and developed a stronger or shall we say more reflexive idea of what I would 'like to do with my life'. Guidance from both within the executive and from the ProjectScotland team has ensured that my placement is both challenging and rewarding.

Now the scary bit begins again…job hunting. I do feel more confident in my own abilities and hope that the valuable experience gained stands me in good stead.

So was uni worth it? Yes and no. Would I change the 'path' I have taken? No. Would I recommend a placement? Yes. Do employers need to give us a chance to gain experience? Yes!!! Will I be writing in with another rant if I don’t get a job? Hmm maybe!

Danielle Logan, ProjectScotland volunteer with the Scottish Executive.

Check out the monthly ebulletin The ProjectScotland VoluntEar on www.projectscotland.co.uk. I won email of the month and got £55 cash prize!