Fired

Hi Sarahly, first I want to say don’t give up on working in the social sector without qualifications! I am also studying social work, going into my 3rd year. Early last year I got a position at our women’s centre – something I thought would require at least a counselling qualification but it doesn’t. I love my job and it is such a great start in the field, I am so much more confident in my ability, have learnt so much and feel I can relate to things taught at uni so much better. I used to work in admin and tourism but like you, I really wanted to get a job in the sector before graduating. I was lucky and a job for a relief support worker came up. I was so surprised to even get an interview let alone a job. – So don’t give up yet!! If you want the job and are passionate about the field there are places that don’t require degrees! My coordinators are great too and supportive of uni, they give me as much work as they can (only relief though) and also understand when I can’t work due to uni. Also the great thing is the pay, as a casual I get over $28 an hour so working just one day a week gives me $200. Thanks to this job and 2 other casual jobs cleaning and waitressing I got through last year a lot easier financially. I do work too much though find that I can’t say no to work, therefore fall behind at uni. Hope to change that this year, it is definitely the serious end!
Anyway I wish you luck with your studies and finding a new job, everyone has given great suggestions for other places to work too. Goodluck =)

Hi girls, was meaning to get back to this topic ages ago. I would like to say thankyou to all of you for leaving nice messages, as people on forums often overly critical. Have taken all of the advice on board, will focus on getting a license as in 6 months im doing a work placement anyways. Thanks xox

^ I used to work at Bunnings too, and I agree they were really good with uni and being flexible.

I work at Bunnings and it is really great for uni students. The majority of the employees are studying at uni, and because of the number of staff it leaves a lot of room for flexibility with your roster. You just have to let them know your availability and they will work around that. I’m currently studying at uni and it is so god being able to have a roster that fits into my study plans and uni timetable. The managers also understand that our education comes first so they aren’t so pushy.
Because they are open such long hours and every day of the week there is usually shifts going that will fit right into what you have planned and your studying

Try looking for a job within the disability sector while you’re still at uni. I always see jobs advertised for residential and accommodation support, including night and weekend work which is suitable for a uni student, and your studies in social work will be advantageous to gain employment in that particular industry.

Also places like DoCS (NSW) offer student placements which then may lead to future job prospects.

Unfortunately I think having your license and access to a car will make this whole process easier for you, if I were you I’d make it one of my priorities.

Good Luck!

Sorry to hear you got fired Sarah!

In my experience places can be hesitant hiring uni students due to the hours etc, since they can hire an under 18 yr old and pay them much less, really annoying! The best advice I can give is just to keep applying, sending in resumes and taking anything that works time wise for now just to save atleast enough to get a car. Not overly helpful I know 🙁 but I did that for awhile last year, put my earnings into an open savings account to earn interest (small amount, but it added up) and then got my car. The second I could drive I had so many more options as far as part time work goes, I could travel much easier so the options were much more open.

I hope you find something soon, I know how tiring it is but as others have said when you have completed your courses it will get that much easier 🙂

It can be very difficult to find something thats part time enough for your studies, but pays well.
One job people dont often look to is dental nursing.
After a career in hospitality and office work my sister in law said her dental surgery were looking to employ a part time nurse and she suggested I go to see them.
They pay very well (first year starters earn approx $19per hr) and there are yearly wage increases with the CPI. Absolutely no experience necessary full training provided once you start. Some surgeries will be looking for experienced nurses, but generally their ad will state this.
Just an idea of a part time position that pays well and gives you a new opening for a while

I worked at kmart through 3rd year of uni and sometimes they would have me working up to 30 hours. I complained and said it was too many hours so they cut me back to 24…they told me to put down whenever i am free so they knew when they could roster me but that i wouldnt have too many hours…but then i think the managers got lazy and would just stick me in all the spare shifts. Eventually I had to change my availability so they wouldnt keep slotitng me in anywhere. Then i went on to do honours so cut right back to one 4 hour shift on a sunday. Somewhere like kamart is great as they have so many staff that they can accomodate someone for just 4 hours, then when it was holidays I’d tell them i could work anytime I would end up pretty much working full time hours.

So somewhere big like that would be good for you, especially so at the end of the year when you have 3 1/2 months off you can work heaps to save up a good pool of money to get you through the following year. The only problem is that it might be hard to get in initially for only 1 shift a week – you might be better off waiting until they do their christmas hiring and get in that way.

Another option would be a small local shop – i worked in a gift shop on sundays during 1st and 2nd year uni. It was perfect for both of us as thats all they wanted someone for and thats all i wanted! Come Xmas when it would get busy, then the new year when other staff would go on hols, I’d get heaps more hours, then when it quietened down again…around when i went back to uni, my hours would drop back to 1 shift on sundays.

Sarahly

Sorry to hear that you lost your job at Subway. But as you said you want to find something more rewarding. It may be difficult to obtain work in your field of choice while you are studying and that is often the case. You may like to consider babysitting (cash in hand) or see if you can find work at one of the weight loss places like Jenny Craig. At least you would be helping and supporting people who want to lose weight. I understand that the hours are reasonably flexible.

Rpear’s suggestion of after school care is a good one as well. I agree that it is all ahead of you once you graduate, so in the meantime it is best to concentrate on doing well in your studies. Good luck!

It is really hard trying to combine study, work and being able to support yourself! I understand! it is great Sarahly that you are living at home as this does take some of the pressure off. but it is still hard to save at all! I worked at subway for 4 years during my uni and the last year went into tutoring and after school care, which I found to be WAY more flexible, better pay and just better all round. The problem with subway I found was they didnt really care, and werent too flexible. I remember asking for a sat off for an exam (giving 2 weeks of notice) and having my hours cut the following week! grr. ahaha! So maybie getting out of there was a blessing in disguise! 😉 during uni I worked about 20 hours as well Serena, with tutoring I did it privately and there is heaps of money in that-I really recommend it! you can charge 50+ an hour! After school care work is also flexible with uni, you may enjoy it, you can do a morning or an afternoon shift. SO it is easy to fit in with uni. Do not worry! Just know too that you are learning how to budget on a really small wage. This is a huge skill to learn and will really put you ahead! Imagine when you graduate and have a full time professional job. You will find it a lot easier than someone who has had an easier ride. Trust me-you will not know yourself in a professional job! 🙂 it is all ahead of you!