What's a guy to do?!

95Trooper

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2008
Location
WNC
I'm sort of ranting and raving so bear with me. I'm 19 years old still living at home with my parents. I was laid off from my job in March and haven't been able to find a job since. I have no real trade in anything. At my last job I assembled furniture, loaded trucks, customers etc. I've been everywhere to apply and have called and called bugging them trying to get somewhere to hire me but it hasn't happened yet. How can I get the experience I need to get a job somewhere? I like tinkering with cars. I'm not exactly good at it and have no work experience in it but I love doing it. I'm not exactly what you'd call mechanically inclined. I've always been pretty good with computers. I'm really thinking about going to CVCC in the fall but I have no idea what I'd like to go for. I did exceptionally well in science, social studies, english etc in school but math was never my thing. I'm not sure what trades are doing good in this economy and who's hiring and who isn't.
 
Work part time at McDonalds... Most are hiring now

Find a auto shop or simular that will allow you to intern on your days off, work to aquire your ASE Certification as you learn

Stay under mom and dads roof until you learn enough to get a real job.
 
There are some community colleges in the state that'll take you. Wayne Community does Airframe and Powerplant classes that got a friend of mine went through, but you'd have to work hard on the math part. Community colleges have some nursing programs (Wake Tech does). Any computer classes would be good. If you have an old hoopty PC get install Linux or FreeBSD on it and learn some stuff on the side.

Pick up some extra chores from your parents. One of the problems with job loss is idle hands. It makes a man more depressed and therefore more nervous at job interviews. See if you can't start a home-improvement project or something, especially if you can get a relative that's handy that can school you in something useful (plumbing, carpentry, landscaping).

Also, talk to your sponsor on nc4x4 and see if they have any contacts or suggestions. THIS is one of the reasons the program exists. They probably won't, but you never know, and ~80% of jobs are found through networking (knowing someone).

-- Hope this helps
J
 
hobie said:
There are some community colleges in the state that'll take you. Wayne Community does Airframe and Powerplant classes that got a friend of mine went through, but you'd have to work hard on the math part. Community colleges have some nursing programs (Wake Tech does). Any computer classes would be good. If you have an old hoopty PC get install Linux or FreeBSD on it and learn some stuff on the side.

Pick up some extra chores from your parents. One of the problems with job loss is idle hands. It makes a man more depressed and therefore more nervous at job interviews. See if you can't start a home-improvement project or something, especially if you can get a relative that's handy that can school you in something useful (plumbing, carpentry, landscaping).

Also, talk to your sponsor on nc4x4 and see if they have any contacts or suggestions. THIS is one of the reasons the program exists. They probably won't, but you never know, and ~80% of jobs are found through networking (knowing someone).

-- Hope this helps
J
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I don't think I have a sponsor on here although I'd like to have one. I do as much as I can to stay busy because when I have nothing to do and I'm not busy I think more and more about how I don't have a job and it puts me back to square one. I have a lot of people in my family that are handy especially with cars but none of them really want to spend time with me to teach me something. Everything that I've learned to do to a car, any type of yard work or anything I've learned to do completely on my own just by getting out there and doing it. Keep the ideas coming and thanks for the help!
 
Welcome to 2009. You find yourself where many people are these days, out of work. Beyond that, you are unskilled and not sure, what you want to be when you grow up.
First and foremost, don't allow your parents to wonder why they are keeping your butt up! Find things to do around the house. Doing the dishes, starting dinner, vacuuming the house, moping, mowing the lawn, what ever! Bottom line is earn your keep!
Someone already mentioned McDonald's, but there are other restaurants out there hiring.
If you have people in your family with businesses, they might also be hurting as to having enough work for the people they already have. You might have to convince them of your worth. You may have to work for free for an education. Eventually it will pay off.
Another idea is the military. That's all I will say about that.
Check with on line job ads.
Good luck
 
95Trooper said:
I'm sort of ranting and raving so bear with me. I'm 19 years old still living at home with my parents. I was laid off from my job in March and haven't been able to find a job since. I have no real trade in anything. At my last job I assembled furniture, loaded trucks, customers etc. I've been everywhere to apply and have called and called bugging them trying to get somewhere to hire me but it hasn't happened yet. How can I get the experience I need to get a job somewhere? I like tinkering with cars. I'm not exactly good at it and have no work experience in it but I love doing it. I'm not exactly what you'd call mechanically inclined. I've always been pretty good with computers. I'm really thinking about going to CVCC in the fall but I have no idea what I'd like to go for. I did exceptionally well in science, social studies, english etc in school but math was never my thing. I'm not sure what trades are doing good in this economy and who's hiring and who isn't.
Click to expand...

Go to School and get a degree.
 
95Trooper said:
I've always been pretty good with computers. I'm really thinking about going to CVCC in the fall but I have no idea what I'd like to go for. I did exceptionally well in science, social studies, english etc in school but math was never my thing.
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Why wait till the fall? Start now with summer school. If you are thinking of getting a 2 yr degree, most all of the fields will require at least one english and math class, so you will be safe to sign up for those. Then sign up for some computer class since you like that area. IIRC, you will be required to take some simple tests to determine which class you should start with.

I was working on my 2 yr degree at GTCC, and my instructor helped me get a part time job in my field of study with a local company. Sometimes they have connections like that. My boss at that company had also gone to GTCC, so he was looking for someone like himself.
 
I have applications in at almost every restaurant and retail store within a 10-15 mile radius. I'd like to go to school for office systems technology and get an entry level job in an office somewhere and work my way up the ladder but I'd also like to go for automotive systems. I'm not exactly sure what I want to do yet. But thanks for all your input! Keep it coming!
 
95Trooper said:
I don't think I have a sponsor on here although I'd like to have one.
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Yeah, you don't. I didn't check earlier. If I were you I'd search a bit and do some PMing.

Other suggestions not mentioned? If your folks can swing the cost of keeping you in food and whatnot go volunteer at a shelter, a library, church, etc. This gives you experience you can put on your resume and contacts that will last the rest of your life.

J
 
I was going to mention food rests. as well. The only problem is too many people think they are too good for it. some money is better than no money. I would check the job hook up thread and also earn your keep at home til your find a job. Back to school for something may be your best bet. Good luck though.
 
Budweiser is hiring here in Greenville. They want delivery drivers/helpers. Just got the e-mail today.

Also, we are hiring some welders and need 2 ASAP!!! Need to be able to weld pipe (Stick at least) and have a good mechanical knowledge of mechanical and industrial construction or at least willing to LEARN!


Hickory area is bad off with construction. Some contractors have moved east to weather the storm.

Have a lawn mower? cut yards, etc. Sounds petty, but a friend started like that and "rented" the equipment from his parents until he bought his own. Now he owns a business and runs about 8 crews full time and is doing good.
 
rockcity said:
Have a lawn mower? cut yards, etc. Sounds petty, but a friend started like that and "rented" the equipment from his parents until he bought his own. Now he owns a business and runs about 8 crews full time and is doing good.
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This is very true. I know several people who started out by renting their equipment and now run very successful outfits.
 
Go to school immediately. The sooner you start, the sooner you finish. In the meantime, I know that Duke Energy always brings in tons of supplemental workers everytime we have a refueling outage at one of the nuclear plants. I posted this in the job hookups thread awhile back, but here you go again.
This was emailed to us at work a few weeks ago. By the way, CNS is in York, SC, MNS is in Huntersville, NC and ONS is near Clemson, SC. Good Luck!
***
A few weeks ago, we shared details of our local supplemental workforce program and its three primary objectives to assist us in: managing costs, increasing depth of our nuclear supplemental resource pool and supporting the local economy. As this program continues to mature, some employees have asked how local individuals can be considered for contract opportunities. Duke Energy uses the services of many contract companies and continues to evaluate additional suppliers. Below is contact information for some preferred suppliers. Individuals seeking contract work should contact these folks directly. Those interested in Duke Energy job opportunities should review available openings on the Duke Energy Web site.
AMES (valve support)
· Diego Rolon, 920-544-2136
Bartlett Nuclear (janitorial, utility, radiation protection, decon, lead shielding, maintenance support)
· CNS – Tex Williams, 803-701-3693
· MNS – Bryant Harper, 704-875-4439
· ONS – Ken Hyde, 864-873-3033
· Fleet – Jim Petty, 864-873-3028
DZ Atlantic (civil, electrical, mechanical, welding, rigging, ice condenser, QC)
· CNS – Dean Jacobs, 803-831-3061
· ONS – Dennis Dale, 864-885-3253
· MNS – Mike Henline, 704-875-5781
· Fleet – W. Charles Chesnut, 803-701-3504; Angela Green, 864-653-2112
Fluor (ONS HELB/Tornado project)
Lea Whitman, 864-873-6506
Power Equipment Maintenance (rotating equipment, reactor head support)
Troy Burrows, 864-630-9215
 
All great ideas. Something else to keep in mind to get out of the gate is temp services. They can be good and bad but I know they can get you in on an entry level to get your feet wet. A lot of them will even work with you while you go to school. Plenty of employers I know use them to "weed out" applicants. They don't like someone all they do is call the service and tell them to not show back up. Gets all the paperwork out of there hands till they know you are what they are looking for. Also in WNC there is a service called Joblink. They also assist in job placement and working around school schedules. May be something similiar where you are. It is based out of a local community college. Good luck to you!!!
 
I'll second the Comm. College thing. My nephew enrolled in a program at Craven Comm. in New Bern that does job placements into Cherry Point. He got accepted to an internship and is starting in just a few weeks. They pretty much limit the enrollment and just about everyone has a good shot of landing a job at Cherry Point through the program. They even work with him on his schedule so he can finish his degree.
 
Be careful with the enlistment thing. With democratic control and "overstaffed" military, they are really selective over who they put in. I know for a fact that the NC Guard is way overstaffed and anybody with a physical or mental profile is being reviewed and possibly put out. No more waivers are being accepted. Just make sure before you put all of your eggs in one basket. BTW, I love being in the army. GO GUARD!
 
As already suggested, you are ripe for enlistment into the military. Go talk to ALL the branches of service to see what each is willing to offer. Ask if there are any monetary incentives to enlist. All of them will help you decide on a career path. Yes, you will have to leave Momma and Daddy but sooner or later you will have to do that anyway. Ask to see a list of their duty stations. Pick the one you like and use that as a wild card to negotiate your enlistment agreement. Many duty stations in the US are close to colleges. Tell them up front you will want to go to school while serving and what can they guarantee in writing to help pay for your schooling. If you like mechanics, go to aircraft engine school. You will enjoy talking to them and I am sure you will find something you like. Just be sure to get it in writing at the time you enlist. No verbal promises. The Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard will minimize your exposure to war. If you like to shoot and blow things up, go Army or Marines.
 
Think long term... that means a trade which means education.

SHORT TERM CASH:

Start with the parents cars / DETAIL them, wash, wax, spend a ton of time on the carpets, seats, trunk, doorsills, engine, etc. (More tips on that if desired) Take "before" and "after" pictures of the cars. Then setup a craigslist ad offering to do CAR DETAILING for $50... Mom / Dad / family some of them get it for FREE just to get the word out there.

Make up a flyer and put it up on cars at local offices (Law Firms, accounting firms, etc) They must understand at first you will do this at your home where you have the vacuum / and water hose, etc. Basically do a $100-150 detail for LESS than that and you will be busy as heck. Keep taking before and after pictures...then start hitting up the nicer / SMALL car lots and dealers and offer the same thing for their trade ins.

If you can wash a car you can make money, if you want to start LOWER end offer a nice car wash for $20 and if you do 4 per day x 5 to 6 days a week you are bringing in $300-400 a week now. I would STILL make sure that car wash beats anything they can get at AUTOBELL detailwise.


LONG TERM...find a trade you want to do. Then decide how you get from here to there...chances are that is a Community college at the very least.

I can tell you right now, anything in "elder care" is going to payoff over the next 30-40 years as the Baby Boomers are going to need folks to help them at the living / retirement homes. You could be a CNA in 8 weeks and probably making decent cash at a "old folks home" because they are getting full and need help!! You were good at science / that field will payoff big time if you go LPN / RN / etc...

If military is attractive then, maybe go ROTC or enlist outright. ROTC though is a longer term vision and will pay off in spades when you become an officer.

If they have a program where you can earn more money in the Guard while IN ROTC or something, maybe look at that, but I personally would suggest working odd jobs during college and that way when you are doing your SUMMER ROTC stuff no big deal.
 
You can get a college degree while your enlisted too, and its paid for....

Go Navy, and go for enlisted in the Nuclear Power Program if your smart enough and you'll be picked up almost every time. They are hurting for Nuke people. Same with medical, they need those guys too.
 
MOW LAWNS and spread mulch till you get a job. I am a student (UNC) and just do it on the side and make a good bit. I bought some older equipment and make like 250 a week just mowing like 13 lawns. there are also plenty of people who will pay for you to spread mulch. Clean gutters: I have made money by simply going door to door with a ladder and a trash bag asking if people wanted their gutters cleaned for 40 bucks and many said yes.
 
Go to school.

Economy sucks, so why not take the time to improve yourself?

I have a 2 year degree, hell, take up a mechanics class / welding, or something like that even.

It will pay off in the long run.
 
bfeller: who is your nephew?!

I am currently enrolled (actually just started summer semester yesterday) at Craven Community College to get my degree in Machinists Technology and hopefully I'll transfer from where I am now on Cherry Point over to NADEP...err..well...FRC East I think they call it these days. I've been working on Cherry Point for a hair over 2 years at the Hobby Shop and it's got its perks with all the tools and equipment, plus the boss is pretty flexible with me about school and all that.

To complete my degree I'll have CNC machining, tool and die making, and plenty of welding experience under my belt. Actually, I get to work on plenty of extra projects for fundraisers and we are currently working on a pig cooker that will be raffled off. So if you go to school, you might get lucky and have plenty of stuff to do that you absolutely love!


If you feel like any branch of the military is your thing, go for it. It wasn't for me at all, but those sign-on bonuses are very attractive! Re-enlistments are quite persuasive as well :huggy:



Oh, I'm 19 as well...definitely going to stay at home until I just can't stand it anymore! Or our house falls apart...that'll probably happen sooner.
 
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