Sorry need to vent....Lost my job a week ago!

[bettingpython]

I wish it woould be that easy I have my wife and my 7 month son. He needs to eat his formula is expensive she is a few weeks away from getting her green cdard a work permit

That changes things but ya know what, if you're broke you can't take care of them either. I do wish you the best of luck.

[joshr08]

maybe its different where everyone else is from but around here schooling doesnt make you employable all it does is make you farther in debt.  Like i said maybe its differnt where your at but here all help wanted addes read like this........Help wanted. looking for a janitor with 10 yr exp and 2 yr degree.   im sorry but does it really take a rocket scientist to sweep floors or looking for someone to answer the phone must have 4 yr degree and 5 yrs exp.  Im not sure how right outta college how your sposta be able to have the degree and the exp.

[wladziu]

I tend to insult people when I answer that question, because the question is an insult in itself. 
As I'm sure Ut is aware, the problem lies in saturation (and, as always, sycophancy).  Evolve beyond the muck, or find a different pool. 

And, that's really as far as I'm gonna go without starting a pissing contest (as much as I'd like to...). 

Have you looked into technical writing?  Not quite your field, but the transfer is simple.  And, it's booming, believe it or not.  There are quite a few firms that would be interested in someone with a marketing background, to open up new avenues. 
Maybe a switch to PR, but, granted, it's iffy.  Saturation, again. 
Or start a local firm!  Kinda sounds crazy, but tons of local businesses are pushing to get their name out in the public eye, nowadays.  Granted, it'll be a while until you see a return...
Hmm.. I do wish you luck.  Wish I could help.  I hate seeing people lose their jobs when they're good at what they do. 



Mach, have you been down to talk with the FD's?  Get their point of view on things, and get some work-out advice while you're at it.  Looked into EMT work?  Hell, a month-long class for EMT-B will set you up with a $40K salary, and that's just entry-level.  They're always needed. 

What's your degree field, Cafeboy? 
Why do we have such a populated forum, and very little help to try to find these guys a job?  Stop the crying!

[yamahonkawazuki]

I tend to insult people when I answer that question, because the question is an insult in itself. 
As I'm sure Ut is aware, the problem lies in saturation (and, as always, sycophancy).  Evolve beyond the muck, or find a different pool. 

And, that's really as far as I'm gonna go without starting a pissing contest (as much as I'd like to...). 

Have you looked into technical writing?  Not quite your field, but the transfer is simple.  And, it's booming, believe it or not.  There are quite a few firms that would be interested in someone with a marketing background, to open up new avenues. 
Maybe a switch to PR, but, granted, it's iffy.  Saturation, again. 
Or start a local firm!  Kinda sounds crazy, but tons of local businesses are pushing to get their name out in the public eye, nowadays.  Granted, it'll be a while until you see a return...
Hmm.. I do wish you luck.  Wish I could help.  I hate seeing people lose their jobs when they're good at what they do. 



Mach, have you been down to talk with the FD's?  Get their point of view on things, and get some work-out advice while you're at it.  Looked into EMT work?  Hell, a month-long class for EMT-B will set you up with a $40K salary, and that's just entry-level.  They're always needed. 

What's your degree field, Cafeboy? 
Why do we have such a populated forum, and very little help to try to find these guys a job?  Stop the crying!

well said. also In many cases. training recieved while in class can be used toward teh experience time requirement

[cafeboy]

What's your degree field, Cafeboy? 

I have been an Auto Tech for 13 years. I have gone to UTI and am a certified NC state inspector, ASE Under Car Specialist, and Forklift driver but I had back surgery and have a 35-40 lb lifting limit. That's not enough to make me disabled but I can't work on car any more either.
Oh and I have a wife, a seven year old, and one due in July.

[wladziu]

That's tough... let's see...

The guys at the DMV might like you, the guys that inspect VIN numbers and such... But, that probably requires law enforcement training...
Community colleges might like you as an instructor, but who knows how many other guys are chomping at that bit...
A guy like you, I'd say to go to seminary, but you might not have the inclination.  And, probably not the time. 

The Cummins plant in Rocky Mount would probably take you, but I only think of that because I've worked there.  The training is paid, and you'd definitely get along well with them.  Don't know where they'd stick you, but they're not allowed to lift very much.  Machines do the hard stuff.  I don't know about other industries around your area.  Usually those type of places have a rotating pool of temp-workers, and they like to see permanent staff. 
Hmm, my Dad is gonna be in the same boat soon.  Mucho mechanical experience, but a burned-out body.  He's been looking for a new job before he gets fired, trying to switch to employee relations.  He's now the ombudsman of sorts, handles employee complaints.  Works out well, since he knows the equipment and such that they're arguing about. 

Weren't you the guy saying that your shop gave you a position at the sales counter, at 1/2 the pay? 


I'm obviously not a decent career advisor (I only know what I know) , and you've heard me say this before (but it worked for me):
Technical Writer
Got me past the military-to-civilian gray period, and would be paying me very well if I had stuck with it.  You know that big Airbus 380?  I wrote the mechanical manuals for the 1st-class seats on those.   They don't require you to have education, just mechanical experience and a mental spatial ability to see parts fit together.  (And lots of patience.. you sit on your butt all day.)  It's a kinda boring.
You just gotta find a writing group willing to train you, and most of them will.  They work their ass off, usually, and need the help.  No need to be really computer savvy, if you can understand looking at page after page of parts.  They'll teach you the rest. 
You've used parts manuals before, with exploded diagrams and numbered parts lists before, right?  That's the thing I'm talking about.  It's easy.  Write or edit a little manual, send it to the editor, get a $900 check, repeat.  Takes less than a week for a small manual or just an edit, and obviously more time for a bigger one.  The small easy ones get sucked up by the guys with seniority, though.  (Unless you're working on salary, not per manual.)
A lot of times they'll let you work from home, once you've been trained in the software, but not always.  And, once you've been trained, you can go freelance.  A guy I knew in aerospace did that.  Wrote his stuff from his desk in Ireland somewhere. 

Sounds like something you might be interested in?  Let me know, and I'll make a call. 
How'd you like to work with those armored Buffalo vehicles the military uses, down in Charleston?  They were practically knocking my door down, last year.  Last I hear, they're developing a new vehicle, now. They'll need people.  And, I know a guy in Winston-Salem that was begging my wife and I to work for him a few months ago, I think he's still hiring.  Really nice guy, he'll train you.  Does all sorts of government bids: web development, you name it.  He's got a big network; he'll know of other groups or a way to get you into it.

[frankieG]

boy am i glad i am retired

[Toogoofy317]

Hey Cafeboy. You may want to try going to Vocational Rehabilitation. I am currently going through this process cause disibility doesn't pay enough and I really want more than just squeaking by. If you can no longer do your job due to disability they will pay for you to get your schooling. It is worth a shot right! In Fl we have a bit of a back up but they are trying to get me back on track with school in a couple of months.

Here are the numbers to the ones near Gastonia NC
Gastonia
(704) 853-5358
(704) 853-5385
1-877-282-0757
109 W Eighth Avenue 28054

Gastonia
(704) 853-5436
   
   1550 Union Road - Suite B 28054

You can call but your best bet is to probably walk in. They will schedule you a intake session which is about an hour explaining what they can do to help you! Hope this helps!
Mary

[cafeboy]

Thanks alot.
I will look in to it.

[jserio]

+1 for vocational rehab places. they pretty much paid for my hearing aids because i could not afford them. (almost 2k apiece...)