Worried - Work

[Flumptious]

I am worried about work.

A bit of background: I got my TBI in 2005 (falling off my bike, luckily wearing a cycle helmet - I dread to think what would have happened if I hadn't had that on!). I was off work (as a university lecturer) for 18 months, but I was eventually allowed back, and was happy there for 10 years. I have eyesight problems - I can see OK for most things, but I certainly cannot drive, and I am officially registered 'blind'. My speech sounds a bit slurred to me, still, but hey, I coped as a university lecturer, so it can't be that bad, can it?

However, the department is being closed down, so I was made redundant last month. Well, sort of - I actually chose to take 'Voluntary Severance', so I got a year's salary. Now I need to find another job. There is no big rush - I mean, I have plenty of money, but I am not quite 48, and I *need* something to do!

I don't know what sort of job I can find. I know I would not land another lectureship job, for various reasons. I was thinking of moving into school teaching, but all the courses I applied for turned me down. I was gutted, but now I have decided that I don't want to teach, I don't think I would be good at it. I am thinking about university admin, and I am currently applying for a few jobs. The other day, a friend of mine was trying to be encouraging, but she seemed to be saying that my communication is worse than I thought, and that really depressed me.

So, I am very worried. I know I am lucky to have been able to go back to work, and I am lucky to have that money 'cushion', so I am in no real rush. But even so, I am worried. Will I be able to get a job? Or will everyone think I am not good enough? What sort of job can I get? I am not qualified for anything - well, I have loads of qualifications, but I can't do the sort of job I am 'qualified' for, on paper. My CV shows me as being far, far too qualified for any of the jobs that I could actually do.

Argh!

Flump

[cat3]

Oh Flump, I'm sorry to hear this, especially after you managed to hang on to such a worthwhile career despite your accident & its resultant issues.

I wonder if the RNIB could be a good starting point for re-employment. They were so helpful to a friend of mine (who lost both his sight and legs through diabetes) and helped him find permanent counselling work at our local probation centre.

It's true you might struggle to find something of the calibre you're used to, but I'm betting there are employers out there just waiting for someone with your abilities. I hope that, with help, you'll find each other ! Cat xx

rnib.org.uk ›

[Prettythings1 in reply to cat3]

Good luck

[Lazuli]

Hi Flumptious

Do any of the colleges or universities in your area offer any return to work type short courses? I took one at my local uni but it was nearly 20 years ago so not even sure they are still around. It was for anyone at any age or stage be it women returning to work after bringing up a family or anyone at an impasse in life, made redundant, wanting a complete career change or whatever. They didn't tell you what to do with your career but by the end of the course you were meant to have a focus. The course was one day a week for 10 weeks. As you have time and a 'money cushion' this might be a place to start.

You can always play around with your CV gearing it towards a particular job. The majority of jobs that I've applied for over the years insist on an application form being completed rather than sending a CV. These are competency based applications where you give examples of how you have used a specific skill (worked to tight deadlines) or demonstrated a certain attitude (calm under pressure).

View this situation as an opportunity rather than a threat.

[Flumptious in reply to Lazuli]

Thanks, Lazuli. I hadn't thought of that - I will investigate!

[steve55 in reply to Flumptious]

got to be other blind students in universities who could do with help and support flump, who better than a university lecturer.

steve

[moo196]

Could you chat this over with remploy perhaps? They might have more ideas.

I've been doing pt temporary work over last two years in between travelling. Would you consider this sort of arrangement ?

K

[sospan]

I have a similar situation being so over qualified I would be the most senior and experienced person in a company but not capable of fulfilling the senior roles. However, being self employed I didn't have a job to go back to.

I have failed over the last few years to get another role due to my injury and qualifications so have decided to set a few things up myself.

With your situation, why not consider the National Trust or similar ? They have a lot of volunteer and paid roles the traditional "guiding" visitors around the estate to conservation, research etc.

Have a look nationaltrustjobs.org.uk/

[Prettythings1]

Have you spoke to the disability advisor at the job centre they can put you in touch with supportive employment at your local council.

I Never found them helpful for myself.

Im a trained lecturer too and found that my qualifications put me at a disadvantage when applying for jobs that did not require my qualifications or experiences.

Just apply for lots of different vacancies and if you get an interview go along and see what you think.

Don't list your vqualifications have a look what the requirements for the vacancy are and just write a cover letter saying you have the relevant qualifications that the post requires and various other transferable qualifications and experience that you gained when working as a university lecturer that will benefit you when working as part of a team and when meeting customers etc.

Use your experiences to your advantage

You can do it positivity blah blah....

[magdolna]

I would just keep looking for something you might like to do or would never have considered before. And voluntary work is very satisfying. I am sure something will turn up for you and the skills you have.

[jayne_h]

I used to be a p/t lecturer myself when I did my PhD but changed careers completely years ago. You have lots of valuable skills from your career. Your experience dealing with students is good. Have you thought about trying some of the roles in universities such as careers advisor? Can you try part time teaching for adult education? How about a role as alumini association development and liaison at a university?

I was told by a friend that First Call Educational services (teaching agency) used to sometimes get short vacancies for adult education teaching where you did not need a teaching certificate to do so.

There are many companies which need people to work as trainers. I'm not sure if your eye sight would allow for you to do this, but at least in IT packages and software (not programming but using the packages), there is often a need for people to become trainers. You learn the system yourself first and then teach the customers how to use it. Not sure if that is your cup of tea.

What about seeing if you can become a counselor for an advisory service for brain injury patients or similar?

As a lecturer, you have enhanced literacy skills. Could you get a job writing articles somewhere? Proof reading is also popular. A friend of mine does copy writing and proof reading. I'm sure you could do proof reading in your academic fields for foreign customers whose English is not native level. Many companies need a proof reader to correct their English before a book or manual is published. You might be able to do that as a self-employed person or set up a limited company if your turn over was enough.

Hope this helps!

J