Youth unemployment: think out of the box

European Youth Insights is a platform provided by the European Youth Forum and the European Sting, to allow young people to air their views on issues that matter to them. Written by Gary Grieve

Gary Grieve

Securing a job can be difficult, never mind with the added pressure of gaining that one job of your dreams that relates to the degree you worked four years for. 

The constant pressure from your parents to find work, the increasing awareness of your bank account getting closer to zero and the ongoing rise of products and services in our communities that bring added stress. 

So why are so many of us looking for work? 

Whether you are under qualified, have little opportunities in your community or dislike the thought of working part time or student jobs after graduating, we all have different reasons or situations but all looking for the same answers.

The answers are not going to come up and hit you, you have to work hard. Finding work is a full time job in itself. The endless trips to the career centre, the mind numbing scrolling through the internet and the tiring walk from shop to shop delivering your resume…. all of which are not appealing but what are your other options…..

Think outside of the box!

Ever wondered how a company was started, it certainly was not always because someone was in a full time career and happy to settle. most often it comes from a passion, an idea and a willingness to achieve….. an entrepreneurial spirit. I know not everyone is an entrepreneur and most of us would not even know where to begin but this is what I have learned over the last few years working as a volunteer and intern. my learning was that I have to surround myself with the right people, get included in communities and networks and establish a personal and professional relationship. 

Provide your services on a voluntary basis in the field of your interest…. if you are a graduate in accounting, then offer to help your local youth club by being their treasurer, if you are an athlete then gain some coaching qualifications or provide mentoring to younger athletes. 

For me personally, the thought of the endless trips to the career centre, the mind numbing scrolling through the internet and the tiring walk from shop to shop delivering your resume were not interesting at all but instead I spent my time and energy creating ideas for projects to companies and organisations and working freelance to give me the kick-start and experience that I need to secure the job I want….. I am not quite their yet, but I know for sure that as every day passes I am one day closer to MY job.