What I do now..
is possibly the easiest job I've ever had, one of the better paid jobs and I fucking hate it.
I was unemployed for ~8 months out of the last 12 months and was sick of being Dole scum and having literally no luck in the job market. I wont provide a sob story, but I was fresh out of Uni with a fairly respectable BSc (HONS) in Geology and I wasn't even glanced at by prospecting employers for basic jobs [in which I was more than willing to do.
So I snatched up the next job I was offered when I moved house as I didn't want to be in the same position as I've just started afresh down South. What is it? I'm a Live-in Carer..
Now, I'm not demeaning the work and the people who are involved in it as it's a selfless and somewhat noble profession for people who are genuine in need. However, I'm a bit of an exception to the case as even though I'm classed as "Live in" I go home every night as I'm local and there are no beds for me [thank God!]
I wont go into detail about my Clients as they aren't the issue. It's simply the long hours and the lack of work. As I'm not living in, I have to be at the Clients house at 07:00 [up at 05:45 most mornings] and leave the house any time between 21:00 and 22:00.. 7 Days a week, 28 days in a row, then I'm granted 1 week off in which I can't alter my sleeping pattern, and at a loose end as my Girlfriend works through the week and I've got no friends or anything to look forward to as I've got no ties/connections in my new abode. The first couple of days are fun doing very little and walking around in my pants. Then it gets boring and, dare I say it, depressing.
The work consists of very sporadic work. I must ACTIVELY work for 3-4 hours through my 14 hour shift, and the rest of it is merely sitting about and being attentive to my Client to make sure she/he is comfortable as possible whilst listening to domestics.. That's it. Money for old rope, some may say. Not me. I call it soul-destroyingly boring. Crap. Shit. It's worse than the Dole as I can't get out of the house and meet people or simply go for a walk/drive or watch TV, as 90% of my clients either don't have a TV or only have terrestrial channels. There's only so many antique programs and daytime television I can watch before I just take an overdose and watch myself slowly deteriorate in a mirror as it would be far more entertaining.
I can't read for most of the day as I'm simply so tired I cannot concentrate and focus. Playing my DS for long hours just looks pure lazy as we live in a cynical world and playing games is perceived as childish.

To sum it up. The work could NOT be easier and I feel slightly better as a person for doing it. However, there's the absolute monumental boredom between the busy periods.. Which is the beginning of my shift and end of my shift.
(Jon_LTD Treat the world like a head!, Sat 11 Sep 2010, 22:14, 6 replies)

Don't fear...
I actually have experience working in the care field and understand your predicament. I had a client who would be out for nine hours a day as I waited for them. I myself ended up taking the opportunity to start hobbies that I wouldn't have a chance to take up in other jobs. I wrote stories, learned how to paint and when I did have clients around got them to play board games with me (old people love board games). I was also very surprised at the library of card games each old person has crammed into their heads that all involve a bit of whit or intelligence. And then there was chess and draughts and all that lark which they were all pretty good at but I always kicked ass at kickboxing.
( dazbrilliantwhites has been meaning to change this..., Sat 11 Sep 2010, 22:59, closed)

Ah yes,
the clients who are able to participate in activities.. One of my friends [who is a Learning Disabilities Nurse] told me of the perks of the fun you can have between work. I had this grand image of doing my work with a smile on my face in-between playing cards, board games and generally having a natter whilst drinking copious amounts of tea and destroying packs of Bourbons within minutes.
Unfortunately, my main client is an elderly chap with quite bad dementia and struggles with anything at the best of times with mild banter. I have been reliably informed that although he's never been the most talkative man, he doesn't need much stimulation to wear him out.

I keep telling myself it's only temporary, as if it was permanent, I seriously would either begin masturbating in my clients house which is just a tad too creepy or just kill myself.
(Jon_LTD Treat the world like a head!, Sun 12 Sep 2010, 17:52, closed)

If they're not talkative or don't enjoy interaction then indulge yourself (not in a wank though). Take up a hobby that'll get you through the long hours in his house. Even take an online course. Laptops are good cause you always look like you're working when you're not especially to old people (except when you have your pants down and are making guttural animal noises to the screen).
( dazbrilliantwhites has been meaning to change this..., Mon 13 Sep 2010, 13:53, closed)

I feel your pain
MSci geoscience, graduated 2008 and still no joy with work in the field. It'll turn around eventually though. Probably.
(Kendal, Sun 12 Sep 2010, 18:59, closed)

Geology graduate
I spent a year looking for work after graduating then got a job working as a `Surface Data Logger'.....sorry `mudlogger'....sorry `shitbagger' in the oil industry.

I worked in Angola, the Congo, Tunisia for 18 months and it had it's moments...crap money though. Wasn't happy to develop my career by flying out to anywhere at a moment's notice and not actually having a life of any kind.

It was bad enough then getting a job (mid 90s) but it's a picnic compared to now...
(Audax Victor, Sun 12 Sep 2010, 19:55, closed)

So I've been told,
however, I've been reliably informed by me old tutor, a man who made a fortune in a Mineral Exploration team in South Africa, that the industry has no time for graduates as it's too costly and inefficient to train them up. I mean, why bother when senior and experienced geologists are in the plucking and the market is a-booming especially in metals and oils.
(Jon_LTD Treat the world like a head!, Sun 12 Sep 2010, 22:02, closed)