h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So I have been absent for a while because I couldn't be bothered and have spent 18months job hunting.

I have now a got a job for January!!!!

Been working full time on a temp basis this term and I think I will be staying for a bit longer before I start my permanent job.

I am glad to be back though!

Hi Nikki,

Good to hear you have a job. I guess it's a teaching job since you use the word 'term'. Seems ridiculously difficult to get a permanent full-time job, despite being a Science (chemistry) teacher. Hence I've been doing 'supply' but not a single days work during the wholeof September, and only 3 days in October. Hence I've decided to take early retirement to 'keep the wolf from the door', but still do supply teaching if and when it's offered.

I come back from a couple of days away and find this? Well yay and whoo-hoo for you, Nicki. I know it's been a long slog to get to the real job you wanted. And a good home place that is comfy too! It looks like it's rounding off to be a good year for you.

It defintly is a good end to the year. Loving my new home and excited about work.

I teach chemisty too and the local universities have increased uptake this year as its a shortage subject yet there seems to be many out of work and not enough supply to go round

It is a real paradox. I left a research post to train as a chemistry teacher in 1994, responding to adverts which asked for highly qualified people (i.e. upper class honours graduates with Chartered status in their relevant professional bodies) to leave industry and retrain as teachers. I was one such person and trained as a teacher at one of the yop places in the UK for training chemistry teachers. After obtaining my PGCE, I applied for 50 posts in the state sector and didn't get a single interview. Isent my CV and a typical letter of application to Babbitas to see if there was anything in them that was actually putting people off. They replied that both were first class. There were 3 things putting people off:

1. Quals and experience intimidating - not only for a H/Science but also for a headteacher.
2. 23 years relevant experience put me at top of teachers pay scale, and school can't afford to pay it.
3. Where I live is a military area and a high proprortion of military spouses are qualified teachers. Hence no shortage in this area.