London

[mph88888]

Anybody else out there feeling like things are not going the way that they should be? My friends that I went to school with, several in fact that are here in London, are doing very well and making shed loads of cash. Bankers, lawyers, business owners, etc. I've been floundering in the post-dot com world for the past two years doing sales, and it has not been an easy ride. Anyone else in the same boat and dealing with it better than I am?

[Phoenix]

Well, I don't suppose I'm dealing with it any better but I feel exactly the way you do. I really feel like things have just not worked out like they should. I worked my butt off in college, graduated in the top 10% of my class in 2000, and have struggled on and off to find real, permanent employment. My plan was to work for a couple - or few - years, save up some money and go back to school. Right now I'm just struggling to save a little bit of money to buy a new car (mine is slowly falling apart b/c it's just plain old). Will I ever see the day where I can reach my other goal of going back to school? And beyond that, will I ever see my goal of having a life-long career I'm truly happy in?

My small consolation is the temp job I'm doing helps me earn a paycheck, but a lot of it is just sucked away toward bills. And it's depressing to think I could just go to grad school but put myself in a huge debt and maybe be in a situation like I'm in now after I graduate from that - and not be able to pay off my loans.

[mph88888]

I hear ya, it's depressing thinking about the cost of living in London. It seems this city is unaffordable unless you are making a six-figure salary. Quite a change from Toronto. Good luck with the bills and grad school!

[ukguy]

I too seem to be a victim of the .com bust. I had a fantastic job in Oxford with a .com. I earned a good wage and had loads of friends and an excellent social life. Then BANG! I was suddenly laid off. I've had to move back with my parents in the north. I have not worked for 9 months and its hell.

I've sent off for loads of web related jobs but it seems like there are 1000s of other people applying for the same jobs so the elite get creamed off the top. I just want to work, is that really too much to ask? Also, I've got a 1st class degree and a masters which seem to count for very little right now.

The current IT climate seems like it will not improve for at least 6 more months, more so for the web and .com jobs. I'm really thinking that a career in new media isn't a career at all now that the bubble has burst.

I would be happy to change careers (I can basically do anything if I enjoy it) but my MASSIVE debts from uni are like a millstone round my neck.

I dread to think of how many other people in this country and around the world are in a similar situation.

Steve