Geology and a Master\u2019s Degree in Geological Resources and Geotechnics<\/strong>, in addition to other studies that she took over the years to increase her chances of working in her field of study.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.youthemploymentdecade.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/decoletaje-marta-acu%C3%B1a-1-1.jpg?resize=399%2C267\")
<\/p>\nUnfortunately, despite her qualifications, she was unable to find a job as a geologist. Hence, her career took a direction that is different from what she imagined when she finished at university. A path that, as she says, \u00abhas been difficult\u00bb. \u00abThere are not as many jobs in the field of geology as in other fields and, on top, the crisis in the construction industry began shortly after I finished my studies. Among the few job offers published, the chances of finding a job were zero<\/strong>\u00bb, she says.<\/p>\nApart from the low supply of jobs, Marta had to deal with companies that preferred people who had recently finished their degrees and with experience in the sector. A combination of factors that seemed to rule her out and that \u00abclosed doors and made it impossible to join the labour market despite the years she had dedicated to trying<\/strong>\u00bb.<\/p>\nShe found other types of jobs and continued to add courses related to geology. However, finally, she sadly decided to \u00abgive in\u00bb and change direction completely. \u00abI was very tired and demoralised from going from one unstable job to another (shop assistant, sales agent, telephone operator, etc.)<\/strong>\u00bb, she recalls. That was one of the reasons she decided to try a Vocational Training course in Machining and Production Programming for Machine Manufacturing Processes.<\/p>\nThis change opened doors, but with a different key. \u00abThe industry for which I decided to train is almost is entirely taken over by men and I thought that would be a handicap for me<\/strong>\u00bb, she explains. The change was not as difficult as she had thought because, before finishing her course, she found a job. \u00abThe company where I did my work experience (Decoletaje y Fijaci\u00f3n) hired me and as soon as I finished my course they offered me a job and I accepted\u00bb. Although this was not her vocation, this new path was the right course to take for her.<\/p>\n– Would you encourage young people to choose their studies based on the job market?<\/strong> \u00abI have always thought that you should study something you like but, based on my experience, I think that, among the things you like, it is better to focus on something that can open doors for you in the future<\/strong>\u00bb, she says.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nZigor Astorquiza:<\/h3>\n
\u00abChoose something you like but make sure it is suitable for the job market\u00bb<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen Zigor Astorquiza finished his secondary studies he was sure he wanted to start a Vocational Training course in IT<\/strong>. Over time, finding a job related to what he had studied was a long drawn out and complicated process and he had to make do with jobs in the hotel and restaurant sector. \u00abI found very few IT-related jobs and, in most cases, they wanted people with years of experience. Therefore, my chances of finding a job in this field were limited<\/strong>\u00bb, he says.<\/p>\nAstorquiza did not give up and, given the limited options of a stable job, he decided to study something that offered better possibilities of finding a job. \u00abAt the beginning, I thought it was too late to redirect my studies but, once I started, I realised that it is never too late and that it was a good decision<\/strong>\u00bb.<\/p>\nOnce he started a Vocational Training course on Production Programming for Machine Manufacturing Processes, and before he had finished, he found a job at Decoletaje y Fijaci\u00f3n, the same company where Marta was working, thanks to the dual training option included in this educational system.<\/p>\n
For Zigor, \u00abtoday, this is one of the best sectors regarding job offers for men and for women<\/strong>\u00bb. Now, aged 31, Zigor would like to encourage young people to choose their studies carefully, \u00abto choose something they like but they should also consider whether they will be able to find jobs related to those studies<\/strong>\u00bb.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nBego\u00f1a Mentxaka:<\/h3>\n
\u00abThe machining industry is also for women\u00bb<\/strong><\/p>\nBego\u00f1a Mentxaka studied Chemical Engineering and gained work experience at the former Santurtzi power station that belonged to Iberdrola<\/strong>. That was the first time she had worked at something she really liked but, that very year, they began to decommission the plant.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.youthemploymentdecade.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/decoletaje-bego%C3%B1a-mentxaka-2.jpg?resize=419%2C264\")
<\/p>\nAfter that, she had no luck as a chemical engineer. \u00abWhen I finished my studies, I had the chance to work in a scaffolding business and I, at the same time, I was studied a Master\u2019s degree in Occupational Health & Safety and I worked for three years<\/strong>\u00bb. After those three years, I decided to change jobs because, \u00abas a Health & Safety Officer, there was too much responsibility, especially in a scaffolding company<\/strong>\u00bb.<\/p>\n\u00abI wanted a job related to chemical engineering but I couldn\u2019t find anything. So, I had no choice but to carry on with health & safety. Until I became unemployed<\/strong>\u00bb. When she was looking for a job, Bego\u00f1a realised that most jobs were connected with the machining industry. She immediately looked for a six-month course at the INEM (Employment Office) and signed up. \u00abThe work experience part was in a company that decided not to hire me because they said I was over-qualified for the job. The deadline for finding work experience opportunities ended and the teachers were unable to find another company for me. I was unlucky\u00bb, she says.<\/p>\nHowever, Bego\u00f1a had come across something that would require a greater sacrifice: she signed up for course in Production Programming for Machine Manufacturing Processes. \u00abFor me, it was difficult to start practically from zero; if I had found a job after the INEM course, perhaps it wouldn\u2019t have been the same. But, as I was starting the advanced course, having to study for another 2 years…; it was a long time<\/strong>\u00bb. Bego\u00f1a is now 33 and she has spent three of them working for Decoletaje y Fijaci\u00f3n under the dual education system.<\/p>\n– Are there better options in the industrial sector?<\/strong>
\n\u00abI think it is one of the industries in which there are more opportunities. I am here because when I was looking for a job, most were in this sector\u00bb.
\n– Also for women…<\/strong>
\n\u00abWithout a doubt, it is also a sector for women. A woman is just as qualified as a man to work in this sector\u00bb.
\n– Would you encourage young people to choose their studies based on the job market?<\/strong>
\n\u00abI think it is important to study what you like regardless of the chance of finding a job related to your studies. Because, even if there are not many jobs available you might be very good at it or you might be in the right place at the right time, or you may have to struggle to find a job. But if you start your studies thinking about a job and you don\u2019t like what you are studying, you might not finish. Therefore, it is important to study what you like and if, in addition, you can find a job… so much the better\u00bb.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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