Finding work is hard but by volunteering and retaining a positive mental attitude, you can achieve your goal says Julie Shaw

Growing up, I always wanted to be a make-up artist. But what you want and what you get are two very different things.

Instead the reality was two years spent in low paid, part-time work, on zero hour contracts. Despite leaving school with five highers, I never went onto university deciding to try and get work instead.

It all changed when I got taken on by Impact Arts via Community Jobs Scotland doing design work. It was the only job I’d ever had that focused on my skills. It brought out the best of me and made me see that if you get a job you love then work is something you can love.

I got training, experience and most of all learned how to work as part of a team. Everyday working skills like these are often overlooked and that’s why on the job training is important for those who don’t have the experience. Getting on with others is also an overlooked skill. Work brings together so many different personalities that getting on with everyone is a bit of a challenge.

I’m 25 just now and, in terms of my career, I want to be settled by the time I’m 30

Julie Shaw

I now work in John Lewis in Glasgow in the cosmetics department. Not quite a make-up artists but it’s getting there. I enjoy my job: I meet new people every day and most are very friendly.

When I was out of work I wanted to keep busy so I started volunteering for a number of groups. I raise funds for the charity Bobath, volunteer as a befriender at Yorkhill Hospital and I’m an activity leader with the Girl’s Brigade.

I don’t like staying still for too long. I’m 25 just now and, in terms of my career, I want to be settled by the time I’m 30. That might seem unfeasible but if you haven’t got a goal then you won’t achieve anything. And I’ve always needed a target to motivate myself so 30 seems about right.

I’m not motivated by money. While I want the same as others, I don’t want more than I need. The main thing in my life is a positive mental attitude and doing a job I love. Sometimes you’ve got to realises that you’ll have to endure some crap jobs until the ideal comes your way. You’ve just got to keep the faith and keep striving towards your goal. But the main thing is having a clear goal in the first place.

Every year I meet up with old school friends as part of a regular reunion. We’re all from Maryhill – one of the poorest areas in Glasgow – and it surprises me how well we’ve done. There’s lawyers, accountants, managers, and a few in the police. I think our environment made us try that bit harder. That’s no bad thing – it makes you more determined to succeed.

My advice to any young person looking for work is take what you can and make the most of it. Never turn round to anyone and say you hate your job. Get from it what you can, use the experience and then move on to better things. Every experience can be a positive one if you use it to your advantage.