Adebayor's started so well for Man City
It's not so easy to find a job
Georgie is blogging for us all week about life as a teenager.
My day will be spent today pretty much hunting for a job. I left school when i was sixteen like alot of pupils. I tried sixth form but I decided it was not for me and I were convinced my GCSE grades of B's and C's would suffice in helping me land any job I would apply for. I was of course very naive to think that.
After attending many interviews (too many to count) ranging from bank jobs to supermarket jobs and having no luck, I got depressed. I was skint and had to face one of my biggest fears of rejection time after time. I couldn't understand what was wrong with me or what I were doing wrong in my interviews. I dressed smart, made eye contact, could type eighty words a minute, got the required grades and I had just no luck. The thing that made it worse for me was the fact that some of my peers who failed their GCSE's (or barely passed them) got really good jobs I'd have happily done. I guess now thinking back, what I've lacked in my interviews was passion, maybe they didn't feel I wanted the jobs as much as other people who applied for them. Eventually two jobs came along at once but I left both of them very recently for two very different reasons, reasons which I may decide to discuss later in the week... but then again maybe not.
Whenever I am asked what I want to be in the future I'll be honest, my answer is never the same because I really do not know. I've wanted to be many things ranging from a model to a journalist. I guess being young is the best excuse I have for being indecisive but it shoudn't be an excuse. The only person who is holding me back is myself and my fear of really pushing for what I want and getting rejected. Getting rejected for a job I don't really want is nowhere near as bad as it would be getting rejected for a job I do really want. My theory of 'taking things in, letting them out and letting them go' will not always work.
Realistically to me my dream jobs are just that, dreams. Silly thoughts and aspirations I have that I can actually have a job that will make me happy. Its been nearly a month now since I've been jobless and the depression is slowly creeping up on me, only tomorrow will tell if my luck has came in. I'm already at the stage where I'd settle for any job and I mean any.
Maybe more should have been done at school to teach me the right way to go step by step to getting that dream job. I feel my school did a brilliant job in terms of educating me academically but very little in preparing me for the big wide world. I felt prepared when I really wasn't.
As promised yesterday, I will finish up by telling you how my night went last night. I did say I were going to an LGBT youth group but sadly me and my friends walked around our whole town for hours and could not find it. It was as if the place did not exist. We go to a different LGBT youth group on a Wednesday, been going since I were 14 and do not know what I'd do without it, but I shall discuss that more tomorrow. Please continue to read throughout the week where I shall tell you how I've managed to be clubbing since the age of just fourteen and how I beat anorexia.
Georgie
Regarding your programme on Friday being given over to under nineteens, can you please keep us informed as to when Radio 1 will recriprocate and hand over a programme to middle aged men.
it seems that job centers think that teenagers are lazy peak - capped chavs. ithis is rubbish. keep going young un NIL DESPERANDUM. if someone is giving you jip 4 your sexuality, let em have ear ache.
ever thought of doing voluntary work whilst you find what your looking for? im a middle aged man with certain health problems, but i volunteered for hospital radio, now im on a course at college in radio journalism and its time for a really big life changing experience.
georgie. keep going. best of luck.
I knew a gay teenager who had enourmous problems finding a job, as did another friend who dressed in the 'goth' style.
The problem was that their chosen fashion/lifestyle was so obvious as to be probably quite off putting to employers. This may not apply to Georgie, but these two peoples idea of 'smart dress' was well off the mark.
Has anyone seen the terrible show NCIS on channel 5? The girl (working for Navy Intelligence) comes to work dressed like a depressed 14 year old goth girl- totally unbelievable to all but the most impressionable teenagers.
In conclusion, though it is wonderful to always 'be yourself', it is not always practical.
Hi Geogie,
Glad you made it to day 2!
There seems to have been an awful lot going on in your life both positive and not so positive. But it has to be said that this is the case for most people.
I guess you are finding out that life as an adult is not all it's cracked up to be and not as easy as so often it is portrayed.
It is important that you are able to overcome any depression or better still avoid going down that route. The above suggestion about doing voluntary work is great and well wrth looking at. There may be for example an opportunity at a local LGBT organisation.
Either way keeping busy will give you a bit more focus and help you to gain employment in the future.
Anyway, chin up!
Mark
how come this blog is attached to Chris Evans's blog??????
Georgie,
Whatever you do – remember don't despair!
You will live and learn as you go through your working life, the challenge of discovering who you are, and what you want to be, will be long and audacious. Sadly not for the meek or faint hearted.
Be strong, be determined, and don’t forget to be you - you are your own greatest asset.
If you badly want the position enough - go get it, achieve your aspirations.
Georgie Hi,
Please don't think I'm trying to patronise you,I'm really not. It was the use of the "Northern" were instead of was, that made me feel that it was indeed more than likely a young person called Georgie writing this as opposed to being edited by a journo...maybe it's me that's naive.
Georgie, I am 55 years old and still feel as lost in this world as you evidently do. I don't say this to make you think "Oh well sod it I may as well give up if I've got 55 year old blokes telling me they still can't fathom the world"...Not that at all, just that I read what you said and could find so many parralels with my own life, not just in my youth, but even now.
I won't go in to reams of detail unless you or anyone wants me to, it's not important, it's just background. You said you feared pushing yourself for fear of rejection...God! I am a professional actor( just about) and I've put myself even more in line of that particular prat fall by becoming so, very late in life.
You have recognised that the pushy ones are the ones who get on, the ones who are ruthless perhaps? You will notice Georgie that the one thing that is valued more than anything in this world is an entrepreneurial flair, even if it's only used to sell yourself into a job. It's long been my experience that to use an old adage, "Bullshit baffles brains". Why do you think the highest paid people in any organisation from the corporations to those who govern us are the "Publicity officers" otherwise known as Spin doctors. They're the ones who step in and spread the manure about hoping a flower may grow in the wreckage. It's part of the reason why we are fed a diet of trash on TV and popular culture generally. It's the superficial that buys you a meal ticket in this world and I suspect that this is what's winding you up. You can give in or you can stay true to your own values. You can always make a compromise too remember.
The nub of my little piece is this. I tried to be how "They" wanted me to be most of my life, "They" being..school, parents, employers, wife. It doesn't work in the end my friend. If you go down that route you may well earn good money but ultimately you will still feel as though you have failed yourself. Be true to what you want from life. Be honest and straight with people and if you feel that honesty is counterproductive then either keep quiet or walk away entirely.
If you keep true to it, it will find you. You are evidently a very articulate and intelligent person. I think I can understand a lot of what you are feeling and I empathise. My dreams are slowly coming true. I now know that they could have done so earlier and I would now be a trusted headlining actor ( yep I really am that good and yes it's taken me this long to realise it) instead of being a bloke trusted to arrest the star or hold me side in agony whilst the star decides to operate. But. Had I pushed it before I was ready, it would have always been on other people's terms not mine. Do you see where I'm coming from? I hope that you do.
J
Georgie,
You are an amazing person. As the above have written, be yourself and believe in good happening in life. I didn't work out what to do as a "real job" until I was in my 30's but like you I was having a mixture of new and different experiences which gave me a rich understanding of life/people and helped me work out whats important for me and my value base. This time to think, reflect and experience, this will be of great value whatever you do or will be dealing with in the future. I know you are amazing and i'm pleased to see you using your talent.
Keep being you and good luck with that job.
Chriss
Hi, I've read your blogs and have to say that i think its great that there is actually someone that lives in the "real world", and that is prepared to disclose the details of how he is finding it.
There are many people out there that are in a similar situation to you, or that can relate to what you are describing. The problem is that some ofthese people feel that there is no outlet for them, or feel somewhatsilly for feeling how they feel.
You have already stated that you attend a LGBT group, which is one form of support that you can received. not only that it is an excellent way pf meeting new people. I've read some of the blogs and surprisingly, there are also some older members of society that have said they are experiencing the same problems as yourself. Everyone has problems at somepoint in there life. It just makes a difference if there are people that are willing to listen, or to use themselves as an example of what is available, and what can be achieved.
I also think that you have outlined a common problem that many school leavers are presented with. The difficulties of obtaining employemnt base don your grades or previosu experience. I dothink the goverment or education board could invest in some preparation programmes for school leavers.
Anyway, I think you are doing a great thing in informing people of what goes on in your life, and also making them aware that they are not alone, and also showing that there are people and groups that can help.
Keep up the good work, and I look forward to reading more. Not many people say it, but things like this can make a difference, and be inspirational.
Thanks.
As an apparent adult? I can remember a life without Computers and Mobile phones I also remember there being rules!
Your generation lacks Disipline - Discuss?
But I'm also old enough remember the beatings we got when we crossed the 'line'
The 'line' was decencey!
I was told treat orthers as you would yourself and you won't go far wrong
The truth is as a young one you are only duplicating what we did when we were your age
Can we stop the excuses and just get on with Life!
And surely the ultimate Goal should be for everyone to get on!
Discuss!
Acne radio - what a great idea - young people have a huge amount to offer and any opportunity to counter the permanent demonisation of teenagers (in particular) can only be a positive step. Let's hear about some of the issues 'straight from the horses mouth' - because more often than not what they have to say is more more informed than we think is possible. We have been working on a scheme in Bude for 3 years that encourages young people to engage positively in the community for which they are recognised with CATS (Community Action Through Sport) rewards(sponsored by the community businesses - rather than tax-payers money). Over 1000 youngsters have received such awards and the impact has been significant - on both the individuals and the wider community. Let's hear more from young people and recognise the part they have to play in the future of our communities - rather than make them feel unwanted and alienated. As Georgie says why should all teenagers be put in the same bracket - if we are honest with ourselves were we absolute paragons of virtue in our youth - probably not. Yes there are huge issues that we need to address but is it really fair to just blame it on the young - I think not!!!
It is not difficult to find a job. Just because something takes time, doesn't mean it's difficult. It's easy to write letter after letter because they don't change much from application to application, and keep at it if you have a goal. If you put more effort into something than it really needs you will ALWAYS succeed. You will overcome your fear of rejection by succeeding. Instead of having the attitude you had to get average grades, adopt a new positive attitude. At a guess, you won't be a journalist. Just for your information, life is hard and then you die. But it also has it's ups. BIG ups too if you have the right attitude. Being an adult is about inner strength. You can fulfill your aspirations if and only if you work hard and refuse to fail. You're not failing, you are trying to succeed!