help me get a life

[lolsteve]

Turned down the call back interview today, been talking with Dad and we agreed can do better and not in a rush

But with what prospects? You haven't got to walk into a high paying job straight away. For instance these ones your finding now down south may only be offering 18k bit with the potential for moving up to a more senior role in a few years on double that where as the jobs your mates are on at 25k might not have the luxury. If I was you, get your self to as many interviews as possible and ask these sorts of questions. Even if you get offered the job you don't have to take it. Leave your options open and think about where you will be in 5 years time

Good point but once I have a couple years worth of experience there's alot more jobs that open up as there seems to be graduate jobs and graduate with experience jobs. So I could start somewhere with a good starting pay in a not so nice area then when have the experience move to somewhere who want more experienced graduates with bigger prospects

This!

I can't believe it took so long for someone to post mentioning something other than money! Surely the job itself is far more important than the wage? And then second to that is living in an area you're going to like. Wage comes way down the list for me, I just need enough to survive, and having lived on less than £6k a year for the last three years at uni, even minimum wage would satisfy that wish!

Don't get me wrong I wouldn't take a 25k job over a 22k if I hated what I was doing but there's plenty of companies out there that could give the money Im after and a job I like.
I've lived on the 6k a year too for 4 years don't forget, just feel like I should be living a bit better off after uni that I was in uni. 20k after tax and expensive housing isn't much

Have you considered trying to get in on a public sector civil/structural engineering job? Most local councils in london have them and the chief one on any council earns a fair whack although its not the money you'll get designing bridges and skyscrapers and shit its at least a start to get experience.

Havent yet, only really started looking for jobs. Will give them a go as have heard council engineers do quite well