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 Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:30 pm
I have quite a dilemma and I'm not sure what to do about it. My brother lives in Central Florida and works at Walt Disney World, and I've been unemployed for (quite a while now! Yikes!) and suggested that I come down move here. So I did, and applied for a job. Obviously I didn't get the job, probably due to my recent work history (I will list what happened later) and so I'm looking for other types of employment than what I intended on.
I was injured at work (driving a semi-truck) almost two years ago that left me without the use of my right hand. Fast forward a year and a half, and my hand had returned to normal, and I needed a job FAST, so I started working at a local convenience store in Portland. I was fired from that job (I haven't been fired from a job in so long I forgot what it felt like) because I improperly ran a credit card that wouldn't swipe. My manager wasn't even involved in the decision, and I had no prior disciplinary action in almost three months of working there. ANYWAY...fast forward to now and the job that was intended on boosting my work history has probably ended up ruining my chances of getting the type of job I want to get.
Adding to my dilemma is my desire to attend college this fall. I know that if I start a driving career (which means a truck driving career) I won't really be making any money for about 2 months at the earliest, and by that time I'll probably push back my schooling yet AGAIN.
I have thought about doing what I really don't want to do, and that's working in...*gasp*...fast food. The jobs always seem to be there, and I won't have a lot invested once I go to school.
So, I need advice on what I should do! Maybe someone might be able to suggest something I haven't thought of.
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:11 pm
That is a heavy dilemma, so forgive me if I don't have the best advice to dish out on this one (maybe because I've been in similar situations).
How do you feel about student loans? I confess I have an ungodly sum haunting me, and it is augments every year... gah! However, there are alternatives offered for the working student these days.
Some Options:
-Part time class and full time work: it may be a slower road to your degree, but it helps to stay in the game and keep taking classes. This preserves sanity
-All loans and no work make you a loan shark's b17ch boy: you can apply for student loans.. loans... loans
-Community colleges and state schools can be great ways to get general ed and other such classes out of the way for less cost. Some offer highly affordable options and may even have classes designed for adults who work during the day
-Online Classes: it's the trend, never done it myself, but ya know.
Job Wise:
-Check out your local laws and requirements, are you in Oregon again or Florida? In some states (like Mine, aka Misery) you can do jobs like substitute teaching and the like with a handful of college credits behind your name (did you say you have or have not done school before?). And the requirements for various professions vary state to state. Sometimes you may be qualified for a great job and not even know it!
-Don't give up, it is a horrible process of getting a job, I'm back in that place myself.
-Are there other means of supplemental income if you did the trucking, side jobs that won't interfere?
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:34 pm
Well I don't drive so I don't even know if this would be possible, but what about something with metro transit or paratransit. The pay at least here is decent and with the problem you had with your former job, it shouldn't even be an issue and the schedualing is usually pretty flexible.
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:45 pm
Me personally I would try to avoid fast food unless it really is a last resort. My previous experience with fast food left me being very pissed off and an inability to eat at Subway for a year or so.
One place I would recomend trying to get a job at would be at a hotel. Most of the front desk shifts are easy, and even during the summer it can be slow. So when you do start school again you can actually do homework (after all necessary work is done first of course) when the chance arrives. Overnights are good for this.
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Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 2:21 am
In all honesty, if you're going to spend money to get a foodhandler card, you might as well save up and get a TAM (alcohol vending) card as well and go into serving. Yeah, it's a disturbing and disgusting job and you have to deal with the egos of customers, but the tips more than make up for the mediocre wage. If not a waiter, than a busser; less in tips, but still more than enough to fend for yourself. That's all I have though. Hope it's helpful.
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Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 5:55 am
I think putting off school is almost always a bad idea, so I would suggest working until school. However, it doesn't have to be fast food, there are other jobs I'm sure you could get... I would think so, anyway.
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Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:19 am
Look up your local hospitals online and apply for jobs there. After all, a hospital needs more than doctors and nurses to function. I should know. I work at one 3nodding Look for someting in Materials Management/Supply Chain (some places have different names for that department). Also, check out Environmental Services/Housekeeping, Guest Services, or Registration. There's even plain old office work. Hospitals have a lot of opportunities that most people don't even think of.
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 1:06 am
Oh thank you all for that outpouring of advice! I'm sure I'll be able to put it to good use here in the coming weeks.
I'm hoping to actually work in a store, like a Wal-Mart or perhaps a grocery store until school starts. I thought about it and working at a fast food place doesn't sound as appealing as I imagined razz . So wish me luck there!
As for college, I'm definitely going to a community college here in Florida, since it's been ( eek *gasp* eek ) 13 years since I graduated high school and any test scores and grades wouldn't count anyway.
Thanks again! mrgreen
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