Cant find a job :(

Nightmare before Christmas

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10 June 2009
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Little moan really. I graduate from my useless equine science degree this summer.

I cant find a job!

In an ideal world I would like to stay around Staffordshire so I can do a little something (breaking, schooling teaching at my own little yard) and then work somewhere local doing similar at say a stud, SJ yard ect. Maybe even a riding school as I am doing my BS accredited coaching exams but I know most riding schools like the BHS ones.....
All I want to do is compete! Or be able to compete and do some bigger stay away shows

Not liking this non student thing ;)

I have been on yard and groom (I have a profile) and other equine job sites. Applied for a few and heard nothing back and cant find anything suitable. Emailed a few pros as would live away with own horse doing a working pupil type placement.

Anyone else struggling? I may have to give into retail but when I worked for Pet at Home they were awful hours to have horses and competing pretty much didnt happen!
 
Carry on studying maybe, and do something that is vocational and could work alongside your teaching / competing? I know it seems a comedown for someone with a science degree but something like vet nursing? Or do you have the qualifications and willpower for full veterinary? Might as well be something useful!
 
I sadly dont think I will get good enough grades for vetmed anymore (that is what I wanted to do after this) as I failed two bits of CW this year around the time my two horses were PTS.

I was going to change to vet nursing last year but then decided to stick at this.

The problem with more study is the money. I cant afford another degree :(

I am quite stuck. I just want to ride all day but I know that is not realistic!
 
I really feel for you, its awful after all your hard work and nothing at the end, its the way it is at the moment. Try and emphasis on the "All good things come to those who wait". I'm sorry that's all I can suggest :(
 
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I am hoping that over time something will come along. I am just worried I will run out of funds and then cant afford entries (really want to do hickstead in sept!!)

Im going to keep emailing people and pestering!

If it comes to it ill have to go down the retail route but hours are rubbish for if I get clients horses in!

Vicious circle going on here :P
 
You need to ring people to get work, emails tend to be the easy way out and a lot of riders ignore them. Ring you local pro yards, if you can ride they may well like you. But it probably won't fit with your own horses.
 
Do you have any race yards nearby? My son rode out for a NH trainer during uni and it paid well compared with some horsey jobs also the hours would allow you to develop your own business during the rest of the day. Other option would be to advertise freelance as a groom, rider, coach but obviously would take time to build a clientele and hours would not be guaranteed.
 
Have you looked on local facebook groups? I see a few jobs come up on there that probably aren't advertised on the main job sites.

I feel your pain about retail as they are very inflexible about weekends so never time to get out to shows! I am on summer holidays now after an abysmal year. I need to save up but I need to get through summer first! Bar work is what I have done most recently (I had an office career before uni). That might work a bit better for your horsey schedule as not all bars will expect you to work all weekend if you put hours in elsewhere.

Find out every single type of yard there is local to you and phone, write, email, visit, seek out the jobs for people getting busy at this time of year (at least it will be a busy period for a lot of yards). Any job advertised will get a lot of responses!
 
I sadly dont think I will get good enough grades for vetmed anymore (that is what I wanted to do after this) as I failed two bits of CW this year around the time my two horses were PTS.
QUOTE]

Can you apply for referred coursework (redo and hopefully get better marks) due to your mitigating circumstances?
 
I sadly dont think I will get good enough grades for vetmed anymore (that is what I wanted to do after this) as I failed two bits of CW this year around the time my two horses were PTS.
QUOTE]

Can you apply for referred coursework (redo and hopefully get better marks) due to your mitigating circumstances?

I had a meeting but they didnt seem bothered. I wanted to differ exams to next year but it was too late in the year :(
 
If you want flexibility rather than a career path then offer babysitting, dog walking, gardening, house sitting... at least would keep you going while you look for a 'proper' job.

Good luck. x
 
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