Hi there,
In November 2013, I have graduated at UEL who previously studied Community Arts Practice with Arts & Digital Industries. I have took part in the Vote of Thanks speech as well which the general public really enjoyed.
After I got my 2:1, I was on benefits since August 2013 until August 2014. They did not give me enough support to work in a theatre company even though I have been volunteering in my local theatre company. I have autism so after 4 months I had a disability employment advisor, so they advised me to join Ellingham so I waited for nearly 2 months so I can start finding a job. Ellingham are a work choice programme helping people with disabilities finding work and keeping a job. Since I was with Ellingham, my consultant was very strict at me and keeps telling me what to do. If I have not been finding work, they would contact the jobcentre so they would sanction my benefits. Also my consultant wanted to remove my degree on my CV via email which was not fair since I worked hard for everything. I have tried to expand more, since I had applied nearly 50 jobs with no replies as they keep turning me down rather than inviting me for a job interview which has nearly knocked my confidence which my jobcentre advisor and consultant were putting me off and they were not giving me advice. They were useless.
The only option I would apply for was to try to come back to work at UEL to see if there are any suitable roles available that I am good at. I have registered with Spring Personnel (temping agency) before I came back to work at UEL in September 2014. I had an interview for the role as Graduate Assistant, I did not get the job. However I was offered to work as Student Ambassador (paid) which I accepted. So I had cancelled jobseekers allowance and Ellingham at the right time. In my time I was giving impartial advice to students that employment is not easy in Enrolment/Induction week, then the 02 arena and then surveying students about eating in the canteen. Since then, I was moved to from Student work to Non-Student work.
Then in January 2015, I worked with the admissions team at UEL temporary for 8 weeks, however mine and everyones contract expired 5 weeks early, because it ran out of work.
Then I worked as an invigilator in May 2015. I am surprised there were lots of invigilators. Sometimes I have to work with different people every time. As sometimes there are personality clashes and working as a team can be challenging before/after we set up. During my time, I have enjoyed it, however at other times it can be chaotic if students breached the regulations.
In September 2015, I worked with the Enrolment team giving out ID Cards and helping students complete their Online Enrolment task for 7 weeks. Even though in most times I work from 9am-8pm. I did very well right to the end. However I need to improve on is by preventing getting myself into trouble as it was very busy dealing with queries esepcially on the last day.
In my spare time, I am currently been volunteering in my local theatre company at the Barking Broadway theatre, it used to very good as I used to get along with everyone. Since then there have been fallouts between everyone due to personality clashes which was affected my confidence as well since these three women are bullying elderly people by telling them what to do. I am trying to be a positive role model.
I have no regrets coming back to work at UEL. I have been in touch with Spring to send my updated CV so they can send me suitable roles that I am suitable for administrator, marketing, projects and events which I am good at. Also I'm still applying permanent roles outside the university. Although I have work lined up as an Invigilator and Enrolment in January early next year. So I am looking forward to the future.
I am hoping 2016 will be a happy year for me. It has been a very overwhelming two years. Thank you for reading my journey so far. I hope it helps people who have autism or other disabilties who have graduated, but have been struggling to look for work.
