A couple of days ago, Mamamia ran a post in response to the Government’s proposal to make unemployed Australians apply for up to 40 jobs a month in order to qualify for welfare payments.
The post was called “A letter to Australia’s job snobs: It’s time to grow up and get a job,” and in it Susie Carling wrote about why she thinks it’s not good enough for people to refuse to apply for jobs that aren’t in their chosen field, or jobs that are seen as “beneath them”.
At the end of Susie’s post, Mamamia put a call out for stories – from people who agreed with Susie and from people do did not.
This post is from someone who does not agree. KAREN HARDY is a journalism graduate who thinks people should be picky when it comes to which jobs they will and will not take.
Over to Karen.
I don’t owe the Government a nightmare lifestyle.
This is not what I wanted to read after working 5.5 hours today and studying for a further 12 to earn my Graduate Diploma of Journalism.
“Retraaaaiiiinnn!” the thought provoking Mammamia blog post screamed at me. “I work, why don’t youuuuu?” A shrill, harping noise delved deep into my ears. This is the new beat of the employment drum. Worthy Aussie Battlers all over Australia clinging to their jobs until their knuckles turn white, their fists angrily shaking in the air. I listen to this speech every day, the Suck it Up Princess Tango and the Get Over it Express regularly come a’knockin, and frankly, I am a little tired. Maybe I need a nap. Maybe I need Centrelink. But what I don’t need is a job I hate.
I have a Bachelor of Writing, am studying for my Graduate Diploma of Journalism, and recently (hooray for me!) got accepted into a Master of Arts next year. While Snivelling Sally does sound a bit whiny, my heart does go out to myself and the other “Artists” (Note: I use the term loosely due to the fact that my poetic ability increases after a few rounds of Reckorderlig) that are starving for a noteworthy cause. I understand that Centrelink is not to be used for horrid, dole bludging Bogans that sit at home playing World of Warcraft all day (I am more of a Sims girl, myself). I assure you – most artists are not doing this. But newsflash: We also don’t really need to spend all day being miserable, either.
All I have ever wanted to be is a writer. I don’t want to be a mother, or a teacher, or social worker, or a pilot, I want to be a writer. In the past 6 years I have had one interview for a newspaper. This is not due to lack of trying. It was for a four week contract. That’s it. That was my one shot. The woman who wrote The Devil Wears Prada clearly has no idea what she is talking about.
To make it as a journalist I have retrained at your instruction, however my one year of journalism is costing me a staggering $18, 000. While I am doing this I am working part time. Yes – I have a job. While I don’t take any benefits from the government currently nor am I on the dole I also understand how soul crushing it is to be in a position where you genuinely don’t enjoy work. You list a plethora of companies you have worked for after the age of 14 – quite an extensive list. Could it be that you changed jobs so often because you were (gasp!) unhappy with the work you were doing? According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal an 82 percent drop in productivity from October to December last year. A survey by Kelly Services Staffing Agency demonstrated that globally in 2013 48% of employees were unhappy in their current jobs.
Your one-size-fits-all mentality that seems to target the creative or “Snobby” types is flawed. To retrain from an “Artist” to a Graphic Designer would set someone back tens of thousands of dollars. Next year, thanks to the Government you wish to protect – this could quadruple.
I believe Australians should pay their own way. But they should also at least have a shot at doing what they like. I am not asking to become the next JK Rowling. It would be nice if I could intern at a newspaper for a day or two, thanks. It would be nice if someone opened up the door I have been banging on for the last six years, screaming until my throat is sore. I resent the fact that because I am continually looking for a job in my profession, I am seen as lazy and Gen Y because I constantly demand better of myself.
I don’t think it’s lazy or foolish to want a job in your preferred field. Yes, I believe you should have a job to pay your way while you look for the answer to your unpaid HECS debt – but I don’t actually know anyone, artists or otherwise, who have slaved away at years of university to then chuck it all in and go on the dole. Artists like myself are constantly networking, expanding their contact lists so that one day God forbid, someone may throw us a freakin’ bone. And if while I am at university and frantically adding attractive journalists on LinkedIn, I chose to not accept a job at $15 an hour crumbing chicken cutlets – I don’t believe I am lazy or stupid.
The Government doesn’t own me a dream job, but I owe it to myself to try.
NOTE: Mamamia is a news and opinion site and this is one opinion. We are always looking for more, particularly from women who have a first hand experience of an issue like this. Do you? Want to tell your story? Email: submissions@mamamia.com.au
What do you think? Do those who are receiving welfare have the right to pick and choose which jobs they apply for? Or should it be a ‘take whatever job you can get’ situation?
Top Comments
Sorry. Crumb those chickens for $15 an hour while also looking for work in your chosen field. The world doesn't owe you a job in your chosen field. Suck it up and deal with it.
I was once on Unemployment Benefits due to unfortunate circumstances... it wasn't for an overly long time, but looking for work was difficult. I was offered work both in a chicken factory, and in a nursing home laundry. I was an experienced and qualified waitress in hospitality certificate I and responsible service of alcohol. Albeit , not exactly graduate material, but I had something I enjoyed. When the employment person offered to put me into the washing machine job at the nursing home, I refused. Why put someone with no experience or desire to do a job, when you have other jobs out there that are suitable? I told her that I had aspirations to work my way up in hospitality and customer service, that by placing me in the laundry of a nursing home, I would never reach my full potential and be depressed and miserable. I refused to work in a chicken factory because the idea of being around so much death blood and disgusting smells just made me sick. I was told my reasons were justified, they found me other work in the end! There are other jobs out there, but the people assisting you to find work need to really have their heart in their jobs also, and be compassionate and understanding. Yes some people need a hard word, and need a little nudge in the right direction, HOWEVER, putting someone in a job which will make them miserable and destroy their confidence will have no good effects in the long run. People who have qualified in a certain career should be guided in those directions, or given roles which will eventually lead to the positions they are qualified for. There are plenty with no training or qualifications that will take the other jobs happily, and be greatful just for employment. But we should be uplifting people, not putting them down or being unappreciative of how hard they have worked/studied to get to where they are!!