Is it normal that i've never worked a day in my life

I am a 23 year old female and I have never had a job, I pretty much went from highschool then straight into university got my undergrad then straight into grad school which I am still now in. I have sent loads of job applications if you see the sent folder in my email you would weep, it just hasn't happened for me yet. Is it normal to reach this age and not have a job or a bank account or even a drivers license because for the past 4 years university has consumed me whole?

Voting Results
74% Normal
Based on 39 votes (29 yes)
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Comments ( 11 )
  • RoseIsabella

    It's not entirely unimaginable, but the lack of a driver's license seems rather odd to me.

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  • pixie44

    Yes it's normal. But just try to get a job or volunteer somewhere if you can because some companies need you to have some type of experience.

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  • Freedom_

    I have found it hard to hold down a job while going to college, although I have had a couple. Still, I voted normal because my jobs lasted 6 months or less and were years apart from each other.

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  • thegypsysailor

    I can imagine not having a job, because school WAS your job. If you live somewhere like NYC, then one can go a whole lifetime without ever driving, but it is a rarity, even there.
    But to never have had a bank account, well, that is just plain odd. I guess if you have lived completely off your parents, without even a scholarship, using their credit card etc, but still?

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  • MangoTango

    Yes, normal for a lot of people. Its even more normal now with the lingering recession. Its like everyone in college is heading straight to grad school. You do work, its just not paid. You will want paid work though. Real world data on the CV is needed. You want to be able to quantify your value to future potential employers. In the real world, employers are finicky right now because the labor supply is huge. That means they can ask for the purple squirrel.

    I did the same thing you did. My work was my passion. Took me awhile to see it as work. You need creative resume writing and references/contacts helping you. I participated as an organizer for local charity fundraiser gigs to build my resume. In grad school, you can work as a teaching assistant (TA), and you can do research assistant work.

    You have lived in academia. Its the ivory tower. I've had professors that have no driver's license. Hmm, no bank account? That is rare. Are you a trust fund kid? Maybe? I know a few. They're money clueless which is normal for them.

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  • Mersaphe

    understandable but you should at least be seeking to get some practical experience soon in your field of study. employers like to see applicants who are qualified (degrees) and have experience as well. have a plan and follow through. good luck. i also advise that you open a bank account for yourself. as you don't have income you should be able to get your parents to help you set up an account. getting a driver's license is quite easy as most 16 year old kids have a license.

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  • howaminotmyself

    Sounds like it is time to embrace the adult world.

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  • flightlesskiwi

    I would suggest volunteering to get some experience and references. Charities always need volunteers and there are lots of different ones. Maybe you could volunteer for a charity that does something related to your field of study?

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  • flightlesskiwi

    Seems pretty normal to me nowadays. May I ask why you don't have a bank account?

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  • megadriver

    It's not normal. I believe having a job, a drivers license and a bank account are key things you must have.

    I'm 22 and I couldn't imagine being jobless, relying only on my parents. I feel bad whenever I ask them for money.
    I study economics and my parents do help me out, cause my job doesn't pay enough to cover all my expenses. So I pay my rent and bills using my parents money and maintain the car and live off the money I make.

    But I can sympathize... When you are a university student, there are no good jobs. Only shitty ones like mcdonalds, or being a drone in some factory. If you go to some company the employer asks: "Do you have any experience doing this?" You may have a masters degree in 5 things, but they still say no.
    What employers want is a 22 year old with a masters degree and at least 3 years experience. Something that is almost as impossible as a honest politician! XD
    I only got a good job, cause of connections.

    As for not having a bank account and a drivers license... why?!
    Do you keep all your money with you? That's irresponsible and frankly stupid. Even if you keep that money at home. Never keep large amounts of money with you.

    As for the drivers license - I'd rather die, than not have a car or a license! Cars are among the greatest things ever made! Thank you sir Karl Benz and Daimler Benz AG for inventing and reinventing this piece of magnificence.

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    • MangoTango

      Car buff! :-) Sweet choices there.

      I hate that every soul has to drive in America, but I love cars purely for sport and leisure.

      I love people who have an appreciation of fine things.

      Oops, I have hijacked the thread with my thoughts. My bad.

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