Matt's job log: 2

After postgraduating last year Matt Atkins needs some money and a career.

Habit reforming

This week I have been mostly trying to stop smoking. Well sort of. It’s only really in the past couple of days that I made the sensible decision to give up the filthy habit I picked up at university. To be fair, I should have known from the start that moving in with three smokers would lead to problems, but my flatmates were good fun and, I later found, liberal with their tobacco.

A major factor for my healthier lifestyle is a complete lack of funds. In a moment of madness I decided to check my bank account for the first time since Christmas. December saw the start of my Career Development Loan repayments, which is a worrying development, and something I didn’t even consider when I signed along the dotted line. The CDL paid for my tuition fees and accommodation while I studied for my Masters degree. The repayments now work out at around £150 per month and are quite an assault on my bank balance. At the back of my mind is the nagging realisation that I’m going to have to make one of those terrifying phone calls which will involve a large amount of begging.

Going to the bar

The fact that I’m currently working part-time hours hasn’t really helped the situation, but I’m loath to find another job. I’ve come to the conclusion that, for the first time in my life, I’m actually enjoying work. Well, enjoying is a pretty strong term, but you know what I mean. I’ve explained before that I work for a temping agency within the NHS. More specifically, my current role involves me collecting patients’ medical records for discussion at meetings between consultants. I’m constantly either on the phone, on my feet or getting lost in the depths of the hospital. The fact that I do this work for the Cancer Services department has been another major factor in me kicking the cigarettes.

So, while I want to remain in my current employment, I really need to make some extra cash and I don’t think that I can face another part time office job. For this reason I’m currently looking for bar work, and don’t say it – I know exactly what you’re thinking. Yes I know I have a degree, and no I’m not going to end up doing it for the rest of my life. You’re beginning to sound like my mother. My reasoning is thus; having worked in plenty of bars and pubs, I know my way around alcoholic beverages and while not being able to hold three plates, made a pretty good waiter. I enjoy the camaraderie of bar work, where, and I’m sorry but this is true, the drunken customer is never right. The public smoking ban should make this form of employment much more bearable given my current situation and addictive nature.

Hopes and doubts

At the moment though, the search for further work is on the back burner. I’m currently racing to meet a deadline for two articles which are due on the same day. Not that I’m complaining, this is the sort of work that I really enjoy and think I’d like to do for a living. The last few weeks have been spent chasing students for interviews, hassling friends for information and generally making a nuisance of myself.

According to a pretty ex art-teacher I (drunkenly) chatted to in a pub last week, talking to strangers is the exciting part of journalism and I’m inclined to agree that a real passion for finding out about people is the key to being successful. However, this has made me think about whether journalism really is for me. I definitely prefer the writing side, finding interviews a pretty daunting experience. However, given that I have no formal training in journalistic technique, I suppose this isn’t surprising. I have been considering whether to join a creative writing group in to explore other possible outlets for my writing, but with my previously mentioned creative block still fairly entrenched I’ve nothing to take along with me. Just a thought.

You’ll be glad to know that I’ve stuck to my word and sent out a few more job applications, again all based in London, and mainly for research positions or for junior roles within publishing companies. I figure that, as I still need to get experience and a stronger portfolio before I’ll get a writing job, getting work in a related area can only be a bonus. I’ve yet to hear anything from the last few companies I contacted but I’m not disheartened. I realise that I’ll probably have to send out a fair few more CV’s before I even get an interview. At the moment though I’m quite happy live in the present, enjoy what work I’m doing and carry on looking for that dream career.

Right, with that finished I’m off for a nice relaxing ciga…Wait…No.

No honestly, I’m not.

Read Matt's first job log:

Off the settee

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