New Year, New Skillz

Putting a 'z' on the end of skills makes me totally down with the kids, right? 

ANYWAY.

It's day 21 of January and I've already failed pretty much every single one of my resolutions. Yep. Still eating ALL OF THE FOOD, still getting myself a Grade A in procrastination and still not keeping up regular blog updates.

I'm too old for this new year, new me BS.

So, since I'm still nurturing my food baby (it's due in a week. Send presents), I decided I'd focus on a different mantra I'm trying out for 2015. 

NEW YEAR. NEW SKILLS. Or SKILLZ. Potato potata.

Nope, I'm not talking about breaking the World Record for how many Celebrations I can eat in one day (although I'd smash that tbh). I'm taking ACTUAL SKILLS. Sidenote: I haven't properly thought this through, because I felt like chucking all my ideas on here whilst I remembered them. A bit like word vomit. 

Whatever. I'm getting cheese fries.

Right. So, instead of thinking about how I'm going to change myself into some sort of flawless Beyoncé sidekick, I've decided that I'm gonna try and learn some new skills to make myself seem more interesting instead. That's the plan anyway. I'll keep y'all posted.

I've been staring at a blank screen for about three days now and I've only come up with three things so here goes.

1) Learn to drive. I've wanted to learn to drive since I turned 17, but my excuse was either not having enough money (I once got paid 82p an hour by accident...), not having time or just being scared. So, to give me a big fat kick up the ass, I ask for a few starter lessons for Christmas and TA-DAH. I have started to learn to drive. Two lessons in and I can officially go forward, turn left AND not run anyone/anything over or drive on the path. Call me The Stig.

2) Learn more pole skills. I stopped going to my pole fitness class in July last year after fudging up my knee somehow. I was ready to go back in September/October time, but again fear held me back. Fear of causing more injury, fear of being crap, fear of - well, everything really. And a hint of laziness as well.

I actually started going back to classes a few weeks ago, and although I've actually remembered a LOT more than I thought I would, I'm still a long way off where I left off. I'm pretty determined to get right back up there, so I've decided to learn one new trick or skill a week, even if it's something I learnt before and need to re-learn if that makes sense. I'm rambling. 

I've already learn new hoop and silks skills (fanceh) and done my first ever headstand, so I think I'm off to a good start. Until next week, where I'll probably spend the whole class falling off or something stupid.

3) Learn to ignore the #haterz. Figured I should learn some sort of new life skill too, so I've decided to try and stop reading comments on things I write and just let the haters, er, hate.

If you didn't know, I'm a freelance journalist, and I mainly write for Sugarscape and Yahoo Celebrity. As you'd probably expect, not everyone is always so keen on what I write, how I write it and why I write it, and some stories get some pretty brutal comments. Or I get tweeted telling me I suck and need a new career. Not exactly a confidence booster. 

SO, I've decided that I need to stop letting stupid comments like that get to me and realise that I'm actually doing okay as I am thanks (until I'm asked to change something by editors, of course). I'm not perfect, my writing's not perfect and we all make mistakes now and then. As long as I try my best and work my backside off, I figure I'll be okay.

Although the two sites I write for are keen for an 'informal' style of journalism (don't know if that's the correct phrase, but y'know), and like their writers to add personality in their writing, mainly in hinting at opinions on the story within the story. That probably doesn't make any sense does it? ANYWHO. I obviously try and stick to this style, but I also try and make sure I'm not being derogatory towards anyone, and I try to never, ever comment on whether someone's supposedly looking 'ugly' or 'fat' or something ridiculous, instead trying to focus on complimenting someone on looking like an absolute dream. 

Sometimes I get it wrong and sometimes people don't agree, but hey - at least I'm trying. And I would never, EVER lie in my work. Let's not tar all journalists with the same brush, eh?

That got a bit deep. THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID.

Alright, I'm blabbered on about nothing of anything importance for long enough so I'll end it here.

Oh, and don't worry. I'm not gonna start chucking my driving or poling in your face. I'm game for a tweet or whatever every now and then when I've achieved something because we all need to celebrate each other, right? But I just cannot stand being told every. Single. Time someone hits the gym, or goes for a run, or goes cycling yada yada yada. No. Keep it casj, guys. Chill.

Sorry if this is really boring and no-one cares, but I felt like venting things y'know? 

Let me know if you've got some goals for the year or if, like me, you've got a mild addiction to leftover Christmas chocolates. I'm on Twitter - @rachelpilcher :)

Thanks, and 'til next time,

Rach x

How Do You Solve a Problem like Benefits/Unemployment/Youth Employment?

Not by taking away money Mr Cameron.

Today, David Cameron promised that if re-elected at the next general election, he will strive for a "land of opportunity," where those under 25 will no longer be entitled to housing or jobseeking benefits. Instead, they will have to be earning or learning. Cue a barrage of swear words from me, and a backlash instantly erupting on Twitter.

Here's why Davy C's new big idea is naive (Apologies in advance if this isn't my usual vaguely humourous/less drivel. This might actually be somewhat comprehensive and informative. WHO KNEW?!)

I am in total agreement that something needs to be done, that something needs to change to help our economy and that we need to stop people just scrounging off benefits and never getting a job. What I don't understand, is how taking away help for young people is going to somehow create a bunch of jobs and get rid of youth employment. It just doesn't work like that. To me, this just seems like another example of blaming and punishing the young (and, more often that not, ambitious AND hard-working) for going to university like Mr C encourages but sadly, coming out to find no jobs. Surely, the bigger problem is those who have been on benefits for 10 years and have made little or no effort in finding employment.

Trust me, out of all those I know who are or have been on jobseekers' allowance, not one of them (including myself) have wanted to be there. I personally find it somewhat soul-destroying rocking up to the job centre with my degree just to confirm that yes- I have been looking for jobs, yes- I have had rejections and no - there really aren't jobs. Promise. For every job there is, there's a couple of hundred or more applicants standing in the way. It's all becoming a bit of a lose-lose situation. We're grateful for the help of course, but choosing jobseekers' is not the easy option. When I signed up, I felt like I was admitting defeat. It's mentally and emotionally tiring, even more so when you then get penalised for unpaid work experience that will help you get a job, but will stop your monetary help in the mean time (but that's a whole other debate).

What annoyed me EVEN FURTHER was this comment :

"Think about it: with your children, would you dream of just leaving them to their own devices, not getting a job, not training, nothing? No – you'd nag and push and guide and do anything to get them on their way … and so must we. So this is what we want to see: everyone under 25 earning or learning."

Here's the thing David. Of COURSE my parents would rather see me working than on benefits, and of course they're helping me the best they can. But they cannot just give me a job on a plate. What you're suggesting is that my parents have just left me to my own devices and I've strayed over to benefits. Bit offended by that. Unfortunately, we're not all born in huge amounts of wealth, where Mummy and Daddy can fund every part of our lives. I feel that's what you're seeing through your rose tinted glasses. My parents know I hate being on benefits, but they can't afford to keep paying for me, and would rather I was getting help until someone finally decides to employ me. 

Mr Cameron seems to lack any understanding of the graduate climate right now, seemingly thinking that because we don't have jobs, we are not hard-working. Bollocks to that. Bollocks even more to the idea that taking away our money will suddenly magic jobs into our worlds. Again, that just isn't the solution. Even telling us to get training isn't a great help, as training can cost MONEY that we only get through JOBSEEKERS which you want to GET RID OF. Good one. I'm all for tackling those who are too lazy to work, but let's not target those who are genuinely working their butts off to get some form of work. The internship issue will only get worse, and some of the poor will end up poorer. As per usual. 

I always knew my career would be a difficult one to get into (whole other kettle of fish right here), and jobseekers, until I get some work, is the only thing pulling me through. Monetary-wise anyway.

So Mr Cameron, I end my rant here. Stop generalising us and tarring us all with the same brush and realise that WE DO WANT TO WORK, there's just no jobs. Or the jobs are over-subscribed. Please tackle those on benefits who need to be tackled. Back to the drawing board and back to your bread-maker.

Anything to add to the debate? Comment below :)

Normal service resumed next post...

Ciao! x

The Pros and Cons of Becoming an Adult... of sorts.

Sincere apologies for my complete lack of blogging lately. Since last time, I've completed two brilliant weeks of work experience, firstly at GoThinkBig (I'll put a list of the articles I've written under a new page) and then at Top of the Pops Magazine, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. I've also had my adenoids removed, celebrated my 21st birthday and officially become one of those adult things.

Credit for photos to the lovely Jack and Sophie. Please enjoy the beautiful hospital gown, and know that I did actually have a sophisticated birthday with family... the photos just won't load on my laptop. First world problems

 Unfortunately this means I have to become somewhat of a sophisticated, mature, independent, financially stable young lady... something of a difficult task when you're still living in the delightful town of Tonbridge with your Dad, paying £7.30 for a drink in Tunbridge Wells because there's nowhere remotely good in Tonbridge. End of rant. This is why I've decided to write a really quick and short post debating the pros and cons of effectively becoming old, although I am genuinely struggling to find some pros thanks to the above difficulties... hold tight everyone.

The Pros?

• The only pro I'm going to highlight here is INDEPENDENCE: You've got actual real money from an actual real job to spend on actual real things that you actually really want (I'm not including myself in this one... hello unemployment). You can go out to a pub with friends whenever you want. You can vote! You can act all sophisticated drinking cocktails! The list really is endless. 

And the easier part: CONS

• Money: You have to pay for everything. You may still be in a student overdraft. You may have no money (this is where I take inspiration from my dear self). Now adult life gets tricky...
• Hangovers get significantly worse: Perhaps even lasting two days, perhaps made worse by texts and photos (no I will not 'send you a pic') reminding you of the night before. Highly unfair. 
• Unemployment: This one might just be me, but I'm feeling like somewhat of a disaster still being unemployed almost three months since leaving uni. This is a whole other debate, but being an adult no longer means I can simply reply to any 'why don't you have a job?' comments with 'I'M STILL A STUDENT GOD'
• Being ID'd for a drink when you're 21: Not sure whether to take this as an insult of a compliment. Hashtag youthful face
• Shopping: You are now expected to spend money on important things and 'work clothes' rather than all the fun 'student night out' clothes you find on Missguided. Sadface.
• And finally- Judging acceptability: Just how acceptable is it to still be watching Toddlers and Tiaras? And how acceptable is it to want to go on this Helter Skelter?

Sorry if this was a little dull, but I thought I'd keep you all up-to-date on how life is going. Here's a promise that next time will be tonnes more exciting.

If you can think of any more pros and cons that you've experienced since becoming an adult, comment below...

Ciao!

x

The Circle of Life (As A Graduate)

Unlike the film, the circle of life as a graduate sadly doesn't begin by being lifted and presented to the animal kingdom as an awe-inspiring bundle of fur, soundtracked by THAT Elton John gem.

(Sorry, couldn't resist)


In fact, quite the opposite happens really. Instead of being presented as perfect, we're thrown straight into the lions den. The only activity that goes on here is shouting, every unemployed graduate for themselves.

'EMPLOY ME, I HAVE ALL THESE SKILLS,'
'NO, EMPLOY ME, LOOK AT ALL MY EXPERIENCE,' 
'PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD EMPLOY ME, I AM DESPERATE FOR MONEY.'

Ok, maybe not the last one, but we're all thinking it. Except, there's just one problem. To get to a lot of jobs these days, you become stuck in the black hole that is WORK EXPERIENCE AND INTERNSHIPS. I don't want to bore anyone, because I know just how many blogs post about this. Trust me, I've read most of them in hopes of finding any way out. I'm not completely writing off unpaid internships by any stretch of the imagination. I knew when I decided I wanted this career that interning was vital in succeeding. They can be an essential way to network and get contacts that will prove priceless in the future. They give you the knowledge you need/can then brag about on CVs and covering letters that make other companies pass out from excitement. Well, almost. Most importantly, if you impress and you're there at the right time, they can be the important stepping stone you need into a journalism career. If you're lucky (I am not. Unfortunately). 

Here's the catch, and the most frustrating circle we find ourselves in. To get a job, you need experience. Fine and dandy. HOWEVER, to get said experience, you are expected to break a bank to be able to afford to travel to and from London in peak times, since you're not even being paid expenses. Unless you live in London (where you may just be able to claim expenses for the tube. WOO), or are handsomely loaded, you're stuck between a rock and a very hard place.

This is exactly where I'm currently stuck. I've got a few weeks of experience lined up shortly which I'm really excited about, but I am panicking as to how the heck I'm going to afford it. Depressingly, I've had to sign up to Jobseeker's since many companies won't employ me part-time in case I leave in a few months when I get a better offer (HAHAHA sarcastic laughter). Even this is a bit of a failure in itself, since they won't pay you the allowance if you start working for free, although you can apparently ask to get your expenses covered. We'll see. What I'd like to campaign for is work experience that pays you somehow, even if it's just expenses and lunch. Us graduates are willing to work for free (within reason, we don't want to basically be an employee within the company and not get paid), because we all agree that we need these skills and such to be able to progress. A grand don't come for free and all that. But the vast majority of us are stuck in that lion's den, broke, crying and waiting for Mufasa to present us to the kingdom of employees as the perfect candidate for the role, and we're quickly discovering that it's just not happening. Even though we may have the full range of skills needed and then some, we're constantly being beaten down by those who can afford to travel without robbing the bank. 

Apologies if this turned a bit rant-y. It was going to be a really well thought out and articulate piece of work but this whole internship-payment argument is one of the most frustrating things in my life right now. Day in, day out of constant job and internship applications has become exceptionally draining and I just want to run around London yelling employ me until someone calls the police on the crazy person. Contrary to popular belief, we are trying eveything. Signed up to every job site available, we've lost sight on what day we're even on now. And even worse than rejection? Those companies that just point blank never reply... that's a whole other blog post.

So what do you think? Should internships be paid, even if it's just expenses? Leave me a comment below, as I know how fiercely debated this topic is!

Until next time. Here's some Robin Thicke to make everything better.



x