"You will graduate as the most sought after teachers", well that was a lie, almost four months on and I'm yet to even get an interview. I'm a graduate teacher, with my Masters no less, yet I am struggling to find a job. One rejection even said that the selection panel had decided not to appoint anyone to the position. I guess its politically incorrect for them to say "of all the applicants for this position, we prefer to have a class without a teacher for the forseeable future", perhaps my boyfriend is right and it was a funding issue that meant this automatic email was sent. Who knows, all I know is that its hard to meet the cost of living and your obligations when no one will hire you.
I was told "just get some casual relief work", great idea that and I would love to get into it. Problem is, there are so many graduates just like me trying the same thing that its a madhouse. I actually did get a call from one agency, which lasted about 1 minute. She asked my availability (any day of the week), both she and I got hopeful, then she asked if I had a car or just used public transport (I only use public transport because I can't afford a car at the moment, not having a job to pay for it or fuel and all), she promptly tells me "Sorry, but I can't help you then. We have a requirement that all our teachers have a car, as our schools aren't near public transport." This is extremely odd, as most schools have public transport at least a block away from them in my experience! But whatever, she doesn't want to help me, so I'll move on to the next agency.
Meanwhile, I have to get money to survive somewhere. So I jump through the government hoops like a trained animal and try to deal with the bureaucracy and the haughty, disdainful treatment by others as I go to centrelink with everyone else who needs money. It started with one-on-one interviews, then suddenly they started cramming about 15 people in like cows to a "group" session where they spout the same old thing at you and ask for your "job search efforts" whilst reminding you "you must apply for all sorts of jobs you are physically capable of doing, full time, part time and casual". Its clear they don't care about getting people appropriate or suitable jobs for their qualifications or ability. They only care about getting a job, and if that is a casual job that will result in yoyoing back and forward from centrelink payment to employment etc then they don't really care. It can be humiliating and frustrating to deal with them, in fact I had a one-to-one appointment once that they later claimed I had not attended which took precious time to sort out.
Sadly, I just feel depressed and defeated by the fact that I haven't been able to find work yet and have to keep getting paid less money than I need to spend in order to survive while I look for said elusive appropriate teaching position.
Luck of the Irish be with you,
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
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