The OcUK forumite contact network

I think it's a good idea but it won't stop the inane threads that appear daily asking for advice.

I'm a Procurement Manager for a global company so if anyone wants to know about buying or how to get into it I'll do my best.
 
I'm not sure using this thread for offering jobs is good, although careers advice wouldn't be bad.

neil3k said:
I haven't personally though the Fiancee is a teacher and her brother did a PGCE so i can ask.
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Yeh that's the other route.
 
I think this is a great idea - but as some have said, perhaps a Careers sub-forum would be the most appropriate?

The sort of advice and networking envisioned by the OP does already naturally occur in such sub-forums on other message boards.
 
Would be good to almost have a site for this! It's like a better linkedin for people that just need advice, a name, contact or helping hand. I'd be happy to help in any way I could!

I have a background in recruitment, now work in IT.
 
G|mp said:
I have PGCE experience Maccy, give me a shout if you need to ask any questions, I'll help if I can.
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You're never on MSN when I need to talk to you, you're only online when you need to talk to me!!

And I'm not sure a careers subforum would be implemented, not enough demand for it.
 
Okay then, I'll bite. Any journalists about here? I'm looking to break into the industry but with the current downturn and high competition I'm finding it difficult to find a place. The local papers will not take me on and, obviously, I don't have the contacts in the industry which would allow me to go freelance.

I've been fascinated with the news since I was a kid, did my degree in journalism and want to take it somewhere. I'm currently stuck in a 9-5 office job and it is not something I want to do for the rest of my life. So, laden me with advice, tips or a paid internship!
 
OriginalJonty said:
Okay then, I'll bite. Any journalists about here? I'm looking to break into the industry but with the current downturn and high competition I'm finding it difficult to find a place. The local papers will not take me on and, obviously, I don't have the contacts in the industry which would allow me to go freelance.

I've been fascinated with the news since I was a kid, did my degree in journalism and want to take it somewhere. I'm currently stuck in a 9-5 office job and it is not something I want to do for the rest of my life. So, laden me with advice, tips or a paid internship!
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Film journalist on the side here.

Depends what you want to cover, really. Initially, the best way to break in is to offer your services for free to various publications. Once you have a few solid credits under your belt you can then start expecting payment.

It's not easy, though. Building a name and reputation when you're still doing the 9-5 can be depressingly tough at times - especially when deadlines begin to loom, but it's more than made up for by the feedback, peer respect and brilliant people you end up getting in touch with. Oh, and press passes.

It also involves a lot of time following leads, scrambling for interviews etc. Not a lot is handed to you, so it's up to you to keep those connections alive and always push for more and more. Again, not an easy thing to juggle when you're also working full time elsewhere. It's easy to see why so many fledgling journalists and writers give up inside of a year.

Don't expect to get rich quickly, either. You can catch my writing on a few DVD/Blu-ray covers and promotional materials worldwide, but I won't be rolling in dosh any time soon! Damn you, fair use! :D
 
OriginalJonty said:
Okay then, I'll bite. Any journalists about here? I'm looking to break into the industry but with the current downturn and high competition I'm finding it difficult to find a place. The local papers will not take me on and, obviously, I don't have the contacts in the industry which would allow me to go freelance.

I've been fascinated with the news since I was a kid, did my degree in journalism and want to take it somewhere. I'm currently stuck in a 9-5 office job and it is not something I want to do for the rest of my life. So, laden me with advice, tips or a paid internship!
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My advice would be to begin a blog. Most of them fail, so don't expect it to get much of a readership but it will be fantastic writing practice for you and provide you with n online portfolio of sorts. Then, when you're confident with your research and writing skills, write some articles about subjects you like and offer them free to online magazines and web sites. From there you can start hitting up the paid places and will have a degree of experience under your belt.
 
Nix said:
This may well flop flat on its backside, but if anyone's interested I think it may be really helpful given the current economic reality to at least try and give it a go.

Here's the premise:

Nepotism is a big problem in this country - namely, for those who don't have the contacts for themselves - and as such is hindering the social-mobility, happiness and progress for many. For others, they found employment before the downturn, whilst others may have been blessed with either good fortune or the right contacts already.

OcUK's forums are a fairly active, friendly and big place with many regulars who are still struggling, so why not help each other out?

If anyone's got anything they need help with job wise, perhaps breaking into an specific or niche industry, or just trying to get their foot in the door somewhere, please feel free to post here and give details of where you need help. If those of us who are blessed with the contacts or experience to provide that help, experience or knowledge, why not lend a helping hand to our fellow forumites?

Feel free to tell me this is a stupid idea if you want.
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Nix, what happened to that holiday work abroad you wanted to do? I still remember that thread. What happened? What have you done so far?
 
The problem is that people are extremely cautious about recommending or putting someone forward when they don't know them very well.

If you put a fellow OcUK'er forward for a job, for example, and they let the company down with attendance and general attitude then it'll reflect badly on the person that got them their foot in the door in the first place. :) There are many reasons for "who you know", and having a known quantity is one of the more prominent ones IMO.
 
Sounds like a decent idea, even if its just for advice.

I'm looking for a job at the moment in IT. The main problem I face is experience, i.e. On paper I am just "some kid" that messes around with computers. I do have a BTEC National Diploma in IT (lol I know) and a CISCO CCNA which is somewhat valued. It seems however that most people with CCNA's however are over 25, since I am 19 I think most employers are reluctant. Any advice?

James
 
Maccy said:
Did you get much experience prior to it? And how has your teaching career progressed since?
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I was very lucky in all honesty.

My (quick) life story:

I do a history degree. GF gets pregnant, due Sept after I graduate.
I miss grad programs, get interim IT job at a local secondary (I built PCs for dosh during uni).
I do some after school classes for overtime, teaching parents and staff about Office etc - goes very well, people v. positive about it.
School alters timetable, needs an ICT teacher for about 15 periods.
I get told to go for it as unqualified. I say no, get me on the scale properly.
I looked at the GTP, looked at Nottm. Trent.
Deputy Head loves the idea, rings Trent. I get a place that phonecall - they had a drop out.

I then finished my IT tech job in August, starting the GTP in September 2006. I had 10 periods from the off, increasing to around 22 periods by the time of qualification.

I have to say, it was so tiring at first. I had a greater teaching load than the others on my course, the school had next to no materials with it not being a subject before Sept. 06.

However, after a term in, I felt like I'd been doing it years. I had no real trouble with the kids, uni had a 'light touch' approach (1 essay, 1 day a week for 16 weeks) and my boss is a top bloke anyway who was incredibly helpful. I also had no pressure in finding a job, because the school had already employed me for the role as part of the GTP.

Going into my NQT year, I'd managed to negotiate an extra £3000 on top of the main scale for working on things like Virtual Learning Environments and this year this was increased to the top of TLR2 with greater responsibilities.

I could talk a lot more about it - if you drop me an email at alex.a.booth 'at' gmail.com I can get myself on MSN at some point for a proper chat.

I really would recommend the GTP as a good way in, as I felt so confident by my NQT year with so much teaching under my belt.
 
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