Dear Joan

national | education | opinion/analysis Thursday July 12, 2012 17:10 by dizzy5

Mixed Messages Are Making My Head Dizzy

Q. I consider myself of average intelligence and do not suffer fools gladly but lately I’ve been receiving these mixed signals and I just don’t know what’s wanted from me.

You see I’ve recently finished college and am quite eager to start work, which is supposedly what you and your fellow party members also want but I keep coming up against obstacles which have been put in place by you and your fellow party members.

I know I’m supposed to take any job I’m offered but having invested quite a substantial amount of money in my education you may forgive me if I want to work in a related area.

I would happily work in an unrelated area for the time being if it didn’t deter me from gaining future employment in my area of training. The problem is your beloved National Internship Scheme does just that.
As most companies and organisations have hopped on that particular bandwagon it seems to be the only way for someone with little experience to get their foot in the door but why insist on making them wait so long to do so? Surely the quicker someone is in any type of employment/scheme the better.

I visited my social welfare office today as I made a claim nearly two months ago and haven’t heard a peep since. I explained my situation to the young man who kindly informed me my claim was pending but the two months I’ve been waiting do not count in relation to the jobbridge scheme as I have to be actually signing on for three months.

I’m not sure if I can sit around for another three months before I’m even eligible for one of these schemes and considering my social welfare claim hasn’t even been processed yet who knows how long more I could have to wait.

It seems like you want me to stay put,stagnant. I can’t afford to leave the country and if by a stroke of luck I got some other form of employment that would pay me a little more than welfare payments I would be shooting myself in the foot in the long term.

I’m just not sure what you want of me. I don’t mind working for free but I do need to pay for the basics, rent, food, etc..

Should I give up my foolish aspirations and accept a life on benefits? What would you do Joan? I await your advice.