Trip 2 2014.

My second visit back to the job centre was as predicted fine/boring/waste of my fucking time/stupid etc etc delete where applicable.

I met with my adviser, who seemed like a nice enough guy and all that but he seemed genuinely annoyed that for the Sunday date I wrote 'day of rest'. Apparently because benefits are paid in a 7 day cycle writing that is wrong because you should even be looking on a Sunday. What annoyed me is that I did look on Sunday I just needed to write that because I wanted to mix it up a bit for lolz.

So yeah, I won't be doing that again! Hahaha.

"Have you got any questions?"

"No."

"Do you need any advice on job seeking?"

"No."

Then we visited the work experience debate again. OH WHAT, YOU DID SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF!

WHAT THE HELL? We didn't spoon feed you it? No, but no YOU CAN'T DO THAT!

^^ Genuinely sick of revisiting that shit. I organised it myself you morons, I don't need you to do anything for me! Give me my money and let me be on my way!

I'm hoping I won't be there too much longer anyways because some exciting things are happening so I can sack them off hopefully! I'd hate for someone to judge me because I claim benefits, but it's clear that I am ashamed in some sense. I make a joke out of the fact I'm there to avoid the 'feeling sorry' looks.

 Plus, every time I go to walk in the job centre, I look around to make sure no one I know is around. People know I'm back there, but it's still not the same as seeing them walking into there is it?

I've got some good things going for me at the minute, all things I have put together myself. I spoke this week honestly about how I feel about university and post university life. I discussed that it was frustrating that I am a number, part of a target. 




I am not just a number. 


Tweet me if you want to chinwag... @DebStevo90.

Stevo xo

GoThinkBig Q&A with Nick Clegg

So today I was in London for a special GTB event, a Q&A with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, I applied for this because I am passionate about youth unemployment and the shoddy support we receive from the government. In my application I wrote that it would be criminal not to give me this opportunity as I would be entertaining - perhaps. 

I was the first one there this morning - no fear though, I met one of Nick's press team in the lift (hooray) and we chatted about what I wanted to ask him, she was really lovely and wished me luck. Got sat in the lounge area with some breakfast and met some really nice people - did a bit of networking, what's your twitter etc, every little helps I guess! 

The next bit just changed the whole day - Eleanor from GTB wanders over and offers me the opportunity to shadow an FHM journalist for the morning, not my type of magazine but why the hell not eh! Met Jordan who is the web editor who then tells me that we are getting a 5 minute interview with him after the Q&A - NICE! Was really good hearing how Jordan worked his way up through the business, he's worked hard man and it's really inspired me, will probs have to do the big move soon I reckon. Eeeek. 

The Q&A was really good, and all the questions were so different that it really didn't feel as if there was any repetition which was good, I particularly enjoyed the question on the Scottish referendum, Nick basically said when we work together we can get more done. He obviously said it in a more persuasive and complex way but you catch my drift! Got a cheeky photo of him doing his intro speech; 

Speaking of photos, it was so funny noticing all the hilarious things that Jordan pointed out that Nick would do for example; point out the people who were sitting on the beanbags and getting a good photo op, lol.

So anyhow, the Q&A finishes and we head downstairs for the interview and it was pretty mint actually, saw the press person from the lift, told her I didn't get to ask my question in the Q&A so we get extra time which was ace. Jordan had some work for FHM to do first - questions, that you can read when it comes out. It was interesting because it wasn't about what I thought it would be, but Nick had some funny responses, so that was good. Took this cheeky photo of him whilst I was sitting opposite him; 

I'm dead proud of this ^-^

So yeah, I got to ask Nick my question which was "job centres are pretty awful, and even worse when you come from one of the highest unemployed cities...you basically walk in, sign and then shoved out of the door, I'm a number to them, but I'm a person and I have dreams and aspirations! What are you doing about this to make it better and easier to find a job?" his first response was "to get the economy moving" to which I told him that he should seal the deal on the Siemens deal in Hull, I don't think he appreciated my honesty there, but in July he was quoted saying that the deal was 'imminent' it's October now pal. Additionally, he stated that more work experience was vital - I told him that so much of it isn't working because there simply aren't the jobs there for people to be taken on. 

There are a few other ace bits - but I don't want to share those yet, pipeline stuff init. All in good times folks. 

We were rushed a bit after this, but yeah, it was a great experience! Managed to get a cheeky photo with him which was pretty cool, I look like shit, so just don't look at my face, okay?

Wheyy - me and Cleggy!

Saw something that made me laugh today. I absolutely agree with Andre. I'm no fan of Nick Clegg because he's made such a massive boo boo out of being leader of the Liberal Democrats and really pissed people off, but he was actually a really nice guy - I know, I'm sorry, I know that's not what you wanna hear!

Thanks to @GoThinkBig - what a day, I can't thank you enough! It was worth like 6 hours of travelling from home! 

Check them out at www.gothinkbig.co.uk if you're interested in media, they're great! 

Any comments, write below, or tweet me @DebStevo90

Stevo xx