So, I'm hoping writing this will help let off a bit of steam. One of the main reasons I started this blog was to help reflect on and focus my thoughts - it's time to put that to the test.
I am well and truly fed up with looking for a job. It's not so much the joblessness, but sitting around all day is mind numbing! Although I have taken to watching friends back to back all day which offers a bit of relief! At the moment, I can take comfort in the fact my housemates are in the same boat but next week one of them leaves so that's one less person to keep me sane!
I got another job rejection from the NHS today. It was the job I seemed most qualified for (annoyingly, it required no official qualifications so my degree clearly counts for nothing!) and my hopes for the others have dropped, but only time will tell. I imagine I will hear back sometime in the near future.
I've been looking at volunteering opportunities in the mean time. I've sent out a few emails, mainly for environmental work but it seems everyone is on Holiday at the moment! Tried to contact some people about becoming a community first responder but within the NHS they only do it in remote communities. I live in the middle of Bristol - go figure. Will have to see what turns up!
I am taking this time to start some form of exercise routine - something I've been meaning to do for a long time.
So not much of a step backwards in reality, but it feels like it. I suppose I should think of it more as side step.
Well, luckily I ran out of inspiration before I ranted too much. I will probably write again before the weeks out with a more coherent post (Friends is too distracting!).
P.s. Just watched the Friends Finale! How could they even THINK of ending the show?!
31 July 2012
24 July 2012
The Beginning Pt. 2
(Part 1 here)
Although there isn't much more to my 'story', I thought I would continue the post by giving you an idea of the obstacles I have to face in the coming months and years. Be warned, this is a LONG post so get a cuppa on the go (or something more suited to the amazing weather we've temporarily stolen from another part of the world).
I have done a lot of research into this line of work, and most importantly, how I get into it. I have discovered various ways, all of which have some requirements in common. So here they are:
1) Get a degree
This is as simple as it sounds. A few universities in the country offer the Paramedic Sciences foundation degree which consists of two years of higher education based learning along with a placement. As luck would have it, UWE is one of the universities that offers this course and was originally my main plan of attack. Unfortunately, I would still need to acquire my C1 driving licence either before or during the course and with the recent increase in fees I would probably be in about £40,000 of debt after completing my second degree. It also means going back to uni - is this really a good idea given my track record?
2) Become an Emergency Medical Technician
An EMT is basically a Paramedic's assistant, travelling around in the ambulance and performing medical procedures under a paramedic's supervision. The pay is less, but it means that I would gain incredibly valuable on-the-job experience and possibly be given the chance to 'upgrade' to paramedic status through the open university, which takes four years of hard work whilst working. I know what you're thinking; it's the hard work part that puts me off. Well, no not really - I'm just impatient. This also means I need to acquire my C1 driving licence.
3) Find a Student Paramedic Placement
This involves finding and applying for a student paramedic placement, where the NHS train me up through university and on-the-job placement. I think this is the ideal method as it almost fast tracks me through the training and straight into a job which is ultimately what I want. This poses several problems though. I need my C1 driving licence first. You can spot the common theme here, right? I am completely for gaining my C1 licence but it's going to cost around one THOUSAND pounds. People don't have that kind of cash lying around! And I will still need to pay for the Open University course which is £10,000 (admittedly, much cheaper than the nine grand a year for a normal course and I get paid while on the job).
4) Go Private
"A lot of research" unfortunately didn't cover this.
Now, the obvious decision would be to go for number 3 and as it happens I have applied for one of these student paramedic positions with the Great Western Ambulance Service (the application deadline is tomorrow). This means starting my studies on October 1st and this leaves me no time to obtain a C1 licence, and I have basically written a promise in the application that I will get it by the start of the course. Will they believe this? Who knows (whatever happened to the good ol' fashioned benefit of the doubt?). I have also committed to living in Bristol for another year as I have signed a contract on a house with some friends and the ambulance service could end up sending me to the farthest reaches of cornwall (AKA 'end of the earth' to some people). So whether they accept my application/plea is still to be seen. Look on the bright side, if I did get this my journey would be over and you can stop reading my rambling (or so you think)!
I'm currently focusing my entire efforts on getting a job to help pay for my new financial commitments, otherwise I'll be in the poor house. I'm also saving for this stupid C1 driving licence, which is clearly just a money making scheme! I need to go through a full medical and redo a huge theory test, a driving course and the actual test. You would have thought the NHS would pay for this while they give 'blue light' training (for the record, they used to). It's a shame this doesn't even guarantee me a place in any of the above jobs as competition in this line of work is incredibly high. It's a risk I will have to take.
Almost at the end now, have a good slurp of your beverage!
My main plan for the time being will be to work for a year and re-assess the situation then (unless pigs fly and I get this October placement). I am trying to gain some work within the NHS as this makes me much more employable within the health care industry - unfortunately to get a job in the NHS and gain the necessary experience, I need to already have experience. This seems to be an impossible situation. I should probably get out there and do some voluntary work, but it is a struggle to focus on so much at once. Luckily, I have a 'last resort' lined up, but I am not sure I want to go down the route of 12 hour shifts in a yoghurt factory just yet...
I wish there was an easy way to focus my efforts in one distinct direction. Instead, I am presented with a myriad of options painted every colour of the rainbow. Which is the best option and which do I take?! This is where I wish guardian angels really existed (or the NHS could actually give me a definitive line of attack).
I shall leave you with this parting gift to show my appreciation for your time:
Taken by one of the people I stalk/follow on Deviant Art - niccolobonfadini
Although there isn't much more to my 'story', I thought I would continue the post by giving you an idea of the obstacles I have to face in the coming months and years. Be warned, this is a LONG post so get a cuppa on the go (or something more suited to the amazing weather we've temporarily stolen from another part of the world).
...
I have done a lot of research into this line of work, and most importantly, how I get into it. I have discovered various ways, all of which have some requirements in common. So here they are:
1) Get a degree
This is as simple as it sounds. A few universities in the country offer the Paramedic Sciences foundation degree which consists of two years of higher education based learning along with a placement. As luck would have it, UWE is one of the universities that offers this course and was originally my main plan of attack. Unfortunately, I would still need to acquire my C1 driving licence either before or during the course and with the recent increase in fees I would probably be in about £40,000 of debt after completing my second degree. It also means going back to uni - is this really a good idea given my track record?
2) Become an Emergency Medical Technician
An EMT is basically a Paramedic's assistant, travelling around in the ambulance and performing medical procedures under a paramedic's supervision. The pay is less, but it means that I would gain incredibly valuable on-the-job experience and possibly be given the chance to 'upgrade' to paramedic status through the open university, which takes four years of hard work whilst working. I know what you're thinking; it's the hard work part that puts me off. Well, no not really - I'm just impatient. This also means I need to acquire my C1 driving licence.
3) Find a Student Paramedic Placement
This involves finding and applying for a student paramedic placement, where the NHS train me up through university and on-the-job placement. I think this is the ideal method as it almost fast tracks me through the training and straight into a job which is ultimately what I want. This poses several problems though. I need my C1 driving licence first. You can spot the common theme here, right? I am completely for gaining my C1 licence but it's going to cost around one THOUSAND pounds. People don't have that kind of cash lying around! And I will still need to pay for the Open University course which is £10,000 (admittedly, much cheaper than the nine grand a year for a normal course and I get paid while on the job).
4) Go Private
"A lot of research" unfortunately didn't cover this.
...
Now, the obvious decision would be to go for number 3 and as it happens I have applied for one of these student paramedic positions with the Great Western Ambulance Service (the application deadline is tomorrow). This means starting my studies on October 1st and this leaves me no time to obtain a C1 licence, and I have basically written a promise in the application that I will get it by the start of the course. Will they believe this? Who knows (whatever happened to the good ol' fashioned benefit of the doubt?). I have also committed to living in Bristol for another year as I have signed a contract on a house with some friends and the ambulance service could end up sending me to the farthest reaches of cornwall (AKA 'end of the earth' to some people). So whether they accept my application/plea is still to be seen. Look on the bright side, if I did get this my journey would be over and you can stop reading my rambling (or so you think)!
I'm currently focusing my entire efforts on getting a job to help pay for my new financial commitments, otherwise I'll be in the poor house. I'm also saving for this stupid C1 driving licence, which is clearly just a money making scheme! I need to go through a full medical and redo a huge theory test, a driving course and the actual test. You would have thought the NHS would pay for this while they give 'blue light' training (for the record, they used to). It's a shame this doesn't even guarantee me a place in any of the above jobs as competition in this line of work is incredibly high. It's a risk I will have to take.
Almost at the end now, have a good slurp of your beverage!
My main plan for the time being will be to work for a year and re-assess the situation then (unless pigs fly and I get this October placement). I am trying to gain some work within the NHS as this makes me much more employable within the health care industry - unfortunately to get a job in the NHS and gain the necessary experience, I need to already have experience. This seems to be an impossible situation. I should probably get out there and do some voluntary work, but it is a struggle to focus on so much at once. Luckily, I have a 'last resort' lined up, but I am not sure I want to go down the route of 12 hour shifts in a yoghurt factory just yet...
I wish there was an easy way to focus my efforts in one distinct direction. Instead, I am presented with a myriad of options painted every colour of the rainbow. Which is the best option and which do I take?! This is where I wish guardian angels really existed (or the NHS could actually give me a definitive line of attack).
I shall leave you with this parting gift to show my appreciation for your time:
 |
| Dolomites Mountains, Italy |
Support a Fellow Blogger!
I promised myself I would post no more than once every so often. Well, I think this post exceeds that self imposed limit but is definately well worth it!
Stacie is currently waiting on a life saving heart and lung transplant because of her advanced secondary pulmonary hypertension. She is writing a blog of her thoughts and experiences while waiting for the phone call that will give her a new lease of life.
I have to say after knowing her for a very long time and reading her blog, she is truly an inspiration and it never ceases to amaze me how brave and strong she has been. If only people would stop and pay a little more attention to people like Stacie, her wait might not have to be as long as it is.
If you haven't already done so, join the organ donor register. If you can think of a reason not to, have a read of this blog then reconsider: click here!
Just to show that I am not a hypocrite, I wasn't an organ donor until recently (because of a stupid argument with a family member and my stubborn behaviour) but I have been inspired to change my mind by Stacie.
Join the Organ Donor register
Stacie is currently waiting on a life saving heart and lung transplant because of her advanced secondary pulmonary hypertension. She is writing a blog of her thoughts and experiences while waiting for the phone call that will give her a new lease of life.
I have to say after knowing her for a very long time and reading her blog, she is truly an inspiration and it never ceases to amaze me how brave and strong she has been. If only people would stop and pay a little more attention to people like Stacie, her wait might not have to be as long as it is.
If you haven't already done so, join the organ donor register. If you can think of a reason not to, have a read of this blog then reconsider: click here!
Just to show that I am not a hypocrite, I wasn't an organ donor until recently (because of a stupid argument with a family member and my stubborn behaviour) but I have been inspired to change my mind by Stacie.
Join the Organ Donor register
23 July 2012
The Beginning Pt. 1
I guess I should introduce myself and start from the beginning...
I am 21 years old and I have just finished my degree in Biology at UWE (this is a slight lie, I have two resits to do before I technically finish but who's counting?). I didn't know what on earth I was going to do with this degree, but I loved the subject so that's what I went with. After three years I can safely say I would rather be homeless than work as a scientist - it really isn't for me and I struggled monumentally in my final year. I will forever hold a special place in my heart for the subject though (awww!).
I am 21 years old and I have just finished my degree in Biology at UWE (this is a slight lie, I have two resits to do before I technically finish but who's counting?). I didn't know what on earth I was going to do with this degree, but I loved the subject so that's what I went with. After three years I can safely say I would rather be homeless than work as a scientist - it really isn't for me and I struggled monumentally in my final year. I will forever hold a special place in my heart for the subject though (awww!).
On a side note, it does seem that the majority of people are urged to go to university whether they really need to or not. They pick a random subject and probably end up hating it, as I have done. It is an enormous amount of money to spend on something that won't really get used. Although I now have a nice, shiny BSc (Hons) it won't help me become a Paramedic in the slightest as I will need to obtain another degree!
I have never really known outright what I wanted to do when I 'grew up' but I guess I have always been inclined towards health care. It was about a year and a half ago when the traumatic realisation that it wouldn't be long before I was ejected into the real world hit me, so I decided it was time to choose a tree to climb, so to speak. You may think "Oh, he picked Paramedic out of a hat!" but alas, it took a long time for me to come to the decision that I simply HAD to become a Paramedic. I can't really say what it is that made me come to this conclusion, it just seems right. This is what I will be happy doing - helping people, saving lives and of course, driving on blue lights (all for very little money may I add). All joking aside, I really admire the people that spend long hours answering emergency calls 24/7, 365 days of the year with a huge amount of knowledge and skill for very little recognition. I want to be one of these people and I am willing to give my ALL towards this.
Okay, looking back at what I've written maybe starting this post with "I guess I should introduce myself and start from the beginning..." probably doesn't fit. It implies I have a huge story to tell, and actually I bet this fits onto one side of A4 (along with another recent endeavour of mine to encourage some enthusiasm on my part - a list of life achievements. I guess it's safe to say it didn't do much to stir the soul). BUT what I will say is that it symbolises the beginning of this blog and my journey to fully qualified paramedic status and I hope you will join me to cheer at my achievements and kick me into gear after my downfalls. Have you got 50 years to spare?
To be continued... (click me!)
To be continued... (click me!)
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