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Chinchen
climber
Way out there....
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Dec 30, 2012 - 01:58pm PT
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I am advising my children not to bother with college. Join the workforce, create a business, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY AND TIME ON AN UN-HIREABLE "DREAM" PROFESSION. (I wish I could bring myself to actually tell them this. I feel terrible lying to them every day, knowing that they will likely rack up tons of debt for no reason.)
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hossjulia
Trad climber
Where the Hoback and the mighty Snake River meet
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Dec 30, 2012 - 02:03pm PT
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I'm in the same boat. But I've never had a career, just a long list of jobs. That hurts when your over 50.
Trying to get the pet/house sitting business going. Have made almost a grand in 2 months, but not sure if that will continue. At some point, sooner than later, I'll have to get liability insurance and possibly a business license if I continue to pick up jobs.
This is a shitty time of year for me to be looking for work, I'm a hibernator if given the chance. Ugh.
Good luck out there Karen. Can you relocate?
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Dec 30, 2012 - 03:09pm PT
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I am advising my children not to bother with college. Join the workforce, create a business, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY AND TIME ON AN UN-HIREABLE "DREAM" PROFESSION. (I wish I could bring myself to actually tell them this. I feel terrible lying to them every day, knowing that they will likely rack up tons of debt for no reason.)
This is terrible advice.
You are basically sentencing your children to entry level type, or manual type jobs. Barring them running their own business, which generally takes a fair amount of money to launch, they will not usually end up in a significant management role.
For example, in the recent recession, the unemployment rate for college grads never went over 5%! Skilled people are always valuable.
It is also true that when one goes to college, one creates contacts that can serve throughout one's career and life.
I also think that some learn socialization and interaction skills that become very valuable with time.
I won't argue that some go to college and waste a lot of time learning useless things. One should learn superb communication skills.....they are tremendously valuable in any occupation.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Dec 30, 2012 - 03:20pm PT
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HossJulia - At some point, sooner than later, I'll have to get liability insurance and possibly a business license if I continue to pick up jobs.
Not SO!
Business license more important of the two, depending on your municipality. But if you are not ready to fully commit as a business, you can likely continue for a while and declare income without the formality or a registered business. Know that once you do register a business, then you MUST be diligent on record keeping and keeping the IRS apprised of it. Missing a quarterly declaration by even a few days will earn you a penalty.
I ran a successful companion animal care service for about 8 years and at first I too believed I needed to be at least bonded. The liability insurance and bonding looks nice on a card but are NOT required (unless your municipality requires for that type of business when you go to register - I don't know that any of them do have that requirement).
If you grow and gain employees, it is a different story, but YOU know you aren't going to steal from your employer, and YOU know you are going to be diligent in caring for those animals and not do something stupid like leash then to a streetlight while you run into the store for a snack. My rule (and I had employees) was the animal is NEVER left unattended, and to do so was grounds for dismissal.
Once you develop a few clients who you can use as references, that is your "bond," along with your professional demeanor. Do a good job and your human clients will gush as to how great you are. I still have clients I am in contact with even 3 years after I stopped servicing them(one is a FB friend!) and one of my employees who went on her own still uses me for a reference. I got a call just a few days ago from a nervous person who had hired her, and helped to make that lady comfortable by being honest about the caretaker.
If you need any tips on developing the service - I'm happy to share.
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Gunkie
Trad climber
East Coast US
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Dec 30, 2012 - 04:13pm PT
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If you only knew Linux... I wish you the best luck in finding a good position in your field.
OAN...
My oldest daughter is 20 months from going to college. I'm only paying if she matriculates into an applied science, mathematics, computer science, or engineering discipline. Most folks with these backgrounds, who have a degree in one of these fields is living in a full-employment environment. We can't find the unemployed and can only work to entice the currently employed away from their current positions.
At my firm we're trying to hire Linux people for field engineering positions (now), sales engineering positions (soon), and system architect/integration positions (now) in Princeton NJ. Background in video workflow is a plus.
If anyone is interested and somewhat in the ballpark with experience or is the good intellectual athlete who can self-train, send me an email --> scott at fabrixsystems dot com
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Anastasia
climber
InLOVEwithAris.
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Dec 30, 2012 - 04:30pm PT
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My advise is be willing to "move." Staying in one area is a the kiss of death. Even Bill who is a Doctor can't pick his location. His next position might be anywhere in the country and it is the big reason why I don't bother investing in nice stuff. It's either going to get destroyed in the move or... Get sold off, neither is a win.
Hugs,
AFS
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TwistedCrank
climber
Dingleberry Gulch, Ideeho
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Dec 30, 2012 - 06:37pm PT
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Job?
WTF.
Nobody said anything about a job.
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justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
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Dec 30, 2012 - 07:34pm PT
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I ended up with four different resumes BTW. None of them "lied" they just were tailored to appeal to different types of employers... generally by playing up the certain skills and omitting information that would make me seem "overqualified" or too "artsy".
Ageism is a HUGE problem too. I got my first interview days after changing my resume from: "20 years retail experience" to: "10+ years retail experience". People were obviously doing the math to figure out my age and I wasn't getting any calls.
@Jason.. Nothing wrong with college as long as you get a degree that is actually useful. If I knew then what I knew now....I'd have a PT degree and probably be fighting off employment offers in Bishop.
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MisterE
Social climber
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Dec 30, 2012 - 10:55pm PT
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The transition from a 20+ year carpenter to "something else" was a tough one. Climbing guide-book co-author just doesn't have that resume shine.
I got lucky with the maintenance job 5 blocks away with Skip's above-mentioned friend, and later helped her get the job she has now.
Funny how that came around - now SHE works 5 blocks away, and I have to drive 15 minutes.
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Dec 30, 2012 - 11:30pm PT
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To open up a private practice takes quite a bit of money, which in no way do I have.
I do not know your industry, however, I would question if this is true. There are real nice offices in this area that are rentable for $100 a month and offer other business services at extra $ (pay per fax for example).
I would encourage you to start by laying out a written plan on what you need to do and when: enlist your friends to help out and get on it. Get an office and a phone, start going down the list of divorce attorneys, make sure you send them something, even an email. They may not want a divorce to not happen slowly and painfully on their nickel, but sooner or later you'll get referrals from them for their friends and maybe even themselves.
Good luck Karen, your destiny is in your own hands.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Dec 30, 2012 - 11:36pm PT
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Also, get your information to universities - to specific people in departments. It is easy to find faculty pages with emails online. Or mailing addresses.
Places I have been actually share info on the 'departmental psychologist' with faculty members. I don't mean you meet with the department, but like the departmental attorney, departmental cleaning person, and departmental babysitter, it is someone everyone needs at some time. Good luck!
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Dec 30, 2012 - 11:47pm PT
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If you do wish to start a private practice I absolutely know how to get your marketing started professionally effectively and quite inexpensively. (well under $1000). It is what has allowed me to make a living in my small (micro) business for several years now. Be glad to explain it anytime and help you get it going. Basically it's just finding a good web designer and learning how to do google adwords for yourself.
Hmm is it possible to be a housecall type therapist? If it is legal and considered ethical in your line of work I'd bet there could be a demand. ie set up appointments where you do therapy at their home instead of an office?
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Edit here is an example of a company that does this sort of thing. Something you could start up yourself perhaps.
http://www.housecallscounseling.com/
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Dec 31, 2012 - 12:00am PT
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A friend of mine is a shrink. No, he won't take me on. But I digress.
His office is in an 8 story building in Pasadena full of your ilk. But
rents are +/- $1000/month. But if you set up shop there you're like networked
to the hilt!
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Daphne
Trad climber
Black Rock City
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Dec 31, 2012 - 02:13am PT
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Hi Karen I am an mft too and understand your problem. Here are some ideas:
You might try MHN. They have the military contract and hire mfts for short term contract work. If you can travel you can get assignments all over the world.
Consider doing EAP work It pays badly but there are clients there.
I'm working with a coach right now to build up my business and she is really helping me. I'm putting it on the credit card. If youre interested pm me. She works specifically with peeps in the helping professions.
Have you looked at any of Casey Truffo's work? She helps therapists specifically.
Its crazy to have so much experience and education and passion and struggle to find clients. I feel your pain.
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Karen
Trad climber
So Cal urban sprawl Hell
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 31, 2012 - 03:07pm PT
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Thanks to all of you. I've learned a lot by your recommendations and will begin to sort through and see if I can pull off a private practice.
Going to another's home is possible. There is a program where you work with victims of crime and you do go to their home. I am just waiting it out, the DA's in both LA and Orange Co. have stated they would refer clients to me, however, this will not begin until next summer.
Thanks again and welcome more suggestions!!!
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Dec 31, 2012 - 04:49pm PT
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Keep us posted. I look forward to your upcoming posts apologizing for not being on since you are so busy working and depositing your paychecks. ;) It will happen!
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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Dec 31, 2012 - 07:22pm PT
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Reilly.......Is your shrink friends number available...? And when are they adding a ninth floor..? RJ
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