now what?

[coalescent]

It's starting to sink in that I'm not a student any more. It's not all the way there yet, but I'm starting to realise that I have to get a job - as in, actually understand that fact. And you know what? It scares the hell out of me. I really, really don't want to.

But, of course, I really really don't want to live at home for too long, either, and not just because my brother is driving me up the wall, 'cause he'll be off back to university in a month or so. I just don't want to be dependent; it's nice right now, and probably will be for the next few months, but I want there to be something else in sight.

I think most of the antipathy towards the job thing is not really knowing what I want to do. Despite saying "yes, I'm going to apply for science writing/editing/publishing jobs", that's as much because they're the only thing I can think of as it is because they're something I want to do. I mean, I think I probably would enjoy that sort of work; it's just not a burning desire in any way.

(If anyone can think of anything I'd be better suited to, now's the time to say)

And do I hold out for the right job, or swallow my pride and get something to keep me going whilst I look for the right job? And where is this job going to be? Am I going to end up on my own somewhere, having to make a whole new set of friends.

It's a big scary world out there, Hobbes.

So, there you go. That's what's been on my mind these past couple of days.

Comments

Do something you enjoy

[ex-toastie256.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's best to pick something you'll like doing on a day-to-day basis rather than a "big thing" which will be fulfilling long term. To start off with, at least.

Then again, I neatly sidestepped the whole career issue by institutionalising myself at university for the foreseeable future so my opinion's probably not to be trusted.

Re: Do something you enjoy

[malenfant.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's best to pick something you'll like doing on a day-to-day basis

Sadly, I don't think there are many openings for 'lie around all day watching Farscape, reading books and surfing the net'... :)

[tinyjo.livejournal.com]

And do I hold out for the right job, or swallow my pride and get something to keep me going whilst I look for the right job

Very much depends on a) whether you can afford to wait and b) whether you'll be motivated enough to get on an find the right job if you haven't got to escape from the wrong one (if you see what I mean)

And where is this job going to be? Am I going to end up on my own somewhere, having to make a whole new set of friends.

I found it really hard making new friends when I was in London - it was one of the reasons I ended up moving back to Oxford ASAP (of course the fact that Alex was still here was a significant other :) ) On the other hand though bear in mind that you can just jack it in after a year or so and move elsewhere if you find you hate it with, presumably, a better idea of what you want next time.

Don't worry about it too much - I was once told by an agency that it was OK to have up to 3 "starter" jobs on your CV where you've just been trying things out or filling in time looking for what you really want as long as they were right after study or something like that. As long as you can pin down why you left for future interviewers it looks sensible.

[malenfant.livejournal.com]

Very much depends on a) whether you can afford to wait and b) whether you'll be motivated enough to get on an find the right job if you haven't got to escape from the wrong one (if you see what I mean)

Yes, I see. At the moment the answer to (a) is 'yes, but for less time than I thought' and (b) is 'I don't know, but probably'. Strangely, the thought of (b) doesn't make me more enthusiastic about the possibility of getting a job...!

[truecatachresis.livejournal.com]

You could always become a whore. Hours to suit, good money, meeting plenty of people.

John Grandidge does science publishing work

[cleanskies.livejournal.com]

That's Tim's housemate .. it's actually a very good town for it, Jenni also started out on something similar, I think, which gives you some idea of how thoroughly you can change your career within a big publishing house. It can take a while to get a job at it, though, so my advice would be to move back here to a cheap room somewhere (hey, I hear Rhiannon needs a housemate!) and temp while applying for jobs at OUP, Blackwells and the rest. Realistically, if you don't particularly care what you're doing, you might as well just pick something and go for it, eh?

... of course I may just be saying that because I think that if you were in town, we'd go to more gigs ... ;)

Re: John Grandidge does science publishing work

[malenfant.livejournal.com]

Realistically, if you don't particularly care what you're doing, you might as well just pick something and go for it, eh?

Ah, but the problem with that is, I want to care about what I'm doing...

I think I'll stay at home for the next few months, at least. If I haven't come across anything by october/november, I'll start to have a rethink, which may well involve moving back to Oxford and temping. After all, it's almost a tried-and-tested OUSFG tradition at this poiint... :)

[brassyn.livejournal.com]

i just wanted to say two things:
first, i like the apology.
second, the whore comment made me laugh.

that is all.