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On January 12 2014 21:19 Piy wrote: Teaching English abroad is good, but somewhat hard if you don't have a degree. Also don't bash on lower tier colleges. In the UK, getting an HND from a college (we call community college college) is a cost effective way of skipping the first one/two pointless years of a university degree.
Teaching is very easy money, and you can find placements that just require a TEFL qualification. In the UK a CELTA is the best I think, it's like 1 month intensive. But having a degree is going to greatly improve the amount of jobs you can find and the quality of them. In fact, often a degree is enough to get you a job by itself.
Besides that you need to find a career path that you think will be fun and just plough through it from the bottom. Usually would take you about 7 years to get anywhere decent.
I'd go and get a commis job in a starred restaurant if I wasn't getting a PhD and travelling about learning languages. That's what I enjoyed and pretty much the only series of jobs I had that didn't involve studying/teaching. The hours are horrendous though, start at 6-8 finish at 11-12 every day.
Latching on this, if anyone wants more info on a CELTA, where to do it or teaching English in general, drop me a PM. I'll try to fill in the blanks.
Good luck finding what you want to do mate
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I've thought about what I would do if I were put into a similar situation quite a bit.
I think the answer lies in education. Specifically, education that prepares you for a job right when you are finished that will make at least 40k pretax. In addition, it gives you a career which you can do for the rest of your life.
Skilled blue collar work is one option. This would entail some sort of vocational schooling. Plumber, electrician, HVAC. These jobs aren't particularly desirable however. I think there are better options.
Nursing. LVN training is typically 1-2 years and is done at community colleges. The job market for nurses is stable and will likely be so in the future. There is a lot of room for advancement. Should you really get into the profession, salaries can exceed 150k (nurse anesthetist).
A degree in computer science/engineering. A more difficult route. Will require 4-6 years of education. Decent pay and job opportunities.
Degree plus graduate training. This is what I am doing. With a science background you have options in going into the medical field, where you can specialized training in things like pharmacy or optometry, which tend to be high paying/high satisfaction jobs.
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On January 12 2014 19:05 Deleuze wrote:Show nested quote +On January 12 2014 15:00 MarlieChurphy wrote:I've been reading up on the site and it all seems sort of scammish. Like they say that you don't need the degree, but to be competitive you do, and they market the whole scheme as an exotic all expense paid trip but no guarantee of work. And then I saw something about not including the world 'online' in the certification. Found the costs: http://go-tefl.com/cost.html Anyone know what all this stuff means? And are there any recourse for information on this other than their site? Also what are the costs of all the other paperwork and stuff needed to do this? Are there any costs to find jobs? How do you find jobs? I'm pretty skeptical. I've heard good things about tefl jobs, though its far from my area itself. I'm told its a fairly good career option to, with an advanced level qualification I hear you can expect never to be out of work. Also not knowing the home language for the country you are teaching in is not a problem, you're not expected to speak anything other than English. Apparently there are extreme opportunities for sex with students as well.As I said, I've heard lots of good things about it but none of this is direct experience. EDIT: also, do you show your art online? It would be cool to see it!
Yeah because that's exactly what people looking to be teachers should be looking for in their jobs. This is everything thats fucked up about English teaching programs in Asia. 90% of the teachers there are terrible with zero teaching credentials, ability or professional acumen. They're basically taking advantage of a system meant to help people and leeching off it because the ones hiring don't know any better.
To get off my rant, I advise freelancing while job searching. Freelancing can add a lot to your resume that you seem to be lacking which is actual proof of work experience. You mention sales, computer and customer related skills which are all desirable skills but from the sounds of it you have no marketability.
Potential options for free lance that may fit you: graphic artist, web design, and computer repair. Telemarketing and phone sales are awful but if you're desperate it's another possibility. There's a tip earlier about learning to be a plumber, which is another avenue as the industry does pay well. I'm not fond of blue collared work but if you don't mind, there's also all sorts of mechanical repair certification you can acquire to take various jobs. Similarly, there are also hospital machine technicians. X-ray technicians for example get paid relatively well for how little investment education wise they have to put in.
Once you accrue some experience that is something you can put on your resume, I'd recommend hiring a head hunter and discussing what you'd like to do and what're your desirables in terms of a job.
Edit: To add, at the end of the day, a college degree is still mandatory for 99% of the population to get any desirable position. From a hiring standpoint, I can tell you a college degree tells me you were willing to invest four years (min) of your life into something without quitting. Yes, a majority of people tell you that a college degree doesn't mean anything but what they really mean is, it doesn't mean anything comparatively because you're expected to have one. Also I'd listen to the poster above me as well since he offers very good advice.
Good luck.
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On January 12 2014 15:44 MarlieChurphy wrote:Show nested quote +On January 12 2014 15:37 Smurfett3 wrote: well...money creates opportunities. YOu have no money, hence you have no opportunities.
It wuld be nice to relocate, but you need money for that.
You need money to go to school.
You need money to do something with your hands (buy equipment and have a workspace)
so you should probably get a minimum wage job and try to save up some money or find an interest in skills that are relatively free to learn or where there is a wealth of information to market yourself The problem with this is you can't save money on minimum wage. minimum wage where I live is 7.25$. Where you live it's $8.00. Depending on how much your rent costs, you really shouldn't be buying anything else that you don't need. Rent, food, gas (or public transportation)
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Become a computer programmer. Starting salary is around $100k.
Whatever you do, stop giving up on everything you do.
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On January 12 2014 23:45 Cheerio wrote: oh my, this thread is so depressing... yeah, my thoughts on some of the people that posted here
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Some ideas:
-Try to get temp work through local agencies(they take a fee from your paycheck for a while) -List your skills for sale on craigslist -You mentioned CC is not an option. In Washington State, FASFA pays for tuition/books/fees and leaves around 1k per quarter in spending money. You can also take student loans(not ideal of course, but if you get a good degree it's worth it). Transfer to a university if you want to get better degrees. The UW has a program where they pay your tuition after FASFA, if you are low income status. Maybe your state has programs like these. Grants and scholarships might be available. -Donate plasma/sperm -Invent something/sell something/start a business/create something -Poker(if you are self motivated/hard worker/smart/disciplined/like pain, have ~$100 to risk) -Mass apply at jobs/learn how to get a job/be relentless/network
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Nepotism is the best way to land a job. For those with little to offer on their resumes, sometimes its the only way. You are severely undermining yourself, your professional career, your life in general, if you refuse to use nepotism as a way to find a job.
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On January 13 2014 01:41 esla_sol wrote: Degree plus graduate training. This is what I am doing. With a science background you have options in going into the medical field, where you can specialized training in things like pharmacy or optometry, which tend to be high paying/high satisfaction jobs. This is absolutely the worse thread to boast with your career choices.
On January 13 2014 02:46 phantomfive wrote: Become a computer programmer. Starting salary is around $100k.
Whatever you do, stop giving up on everything you do. well for the position he is in I believe giving up on everything he does EXCEPT his career choice is actually what needs to be done if he is to remedy the situation quickly
On January 13 2014 02:50 guN-viCe wrote: Some ideas:
-Try to get temp work through local agencies(they take a fee from your paycheck for a while) -List your skills for sale on craigslist -You mentioned CC is not an option. In Washington State, FASFA pays for tuition/books/fees and leaves around 1k per quarter in spending money. You can also take student loans(not ideal of course, but if you get a good degree it's worth it). Transfer to a university if you want to get better degrees. The UW has a program where they pay your tuition after FASFA, if you are low income status. Maybe your state has programs like these. Grants and scholarships might be available. -Donate plasma/sperm -Invent something/sell something/start a business/create something -Poker(if you are self motivated/hard worker/smart/disciplined/like pain, have ~$100 to risk) -Mass apply at jobs/learn how to get a job/be relentless/network oh God, please don't encourage broke people to engage in activities that don't create value for the society (poker actually creates substantial negative value) and involve huge financial risks.
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Glass blowing is cool. Can you stick with artistry? You can make sick things.
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On January 12 2014 17:44 Omnishroud wrote: You want all the reward but none of the hardships.
You dont get to start in the middle or at the top, you start at the bottom.
Stop whining about minimum wage jobs and get on with it or remain a bum. That's just not true :p All starting positions are available, depends on how smart you were when choosing your parents, weighted by high school and college decisions. OP: shitty situation, probably with no clear or nice solutions. Imo the most straightforward thing to do is to apply to all and every job you think you have any sort of qualifications for. Low levels sales (any and all industries), customer service (same), tech support, you name it. Then spend the next 5-10 years fighting tooth and nail for a low level management position.
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I don't know if this is the same the US, but in arctic Canada people generally get payed way more. So, you could try to get some kind of job in Alaska, or arctic Canada if that is possible.
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The advice given in this thread is depressingly bad.
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On January 13 2014 02:46 phantomfive wrote: Become a computer programmer. Starting salary is around $100k.
Whatever you do, stop giving up on everything you do.
Do you have any example of someone starting at this? I only took two years of Comp Sci but all my friends started at between 30-40 k up here in Canadia. Not quite sure where those 100k programming jobs are but do send some info my way!
In British Columbia there will be explosive growth in the development of Natural Gas facilities as well as possibly pipeline work. Not this year, but between 2015-2016 as long as no large hiccups happen there will be opportunities for trades people around the world. We already have a number of American/Australian/Canadian folk at it already and that's JUST with the RTA Aluminium smelting project in Kitimat. Kitimat was literally built for this purpose in the 50's.
Roughly Four multibillion dollar LNG plants are slated not including compressor and pump stations going to and from the plant to the place of export.
If Enbridge goes ahead there is another giant spread of work.
I can't speak for California but there will be a burning need for trade folk in BC. Where they come from won't be important when shit hits the fan.
Ignoring opportunities up here trades will always be needed and when the baby boomers retire there will be a giant skill shortage world wide.
Good luck sir, I never really chose what I wanted to do. I just kind of fell into and it worked out. Hopefully you choose, if not I hope the landing isn't too rough ^^
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I hope you don't take it too personal, I don't know you outside of TL and maybe you are not what I think you are. But the advice I will give you is brutally honest.
First of all, you are a lazy piece of shit. I feel comfortable saying this since I was in your situation before but never managed to have no job at all (except for that one period where I was incapacitated for a few months).
People come here from all over the world and often manage to score jobs without even knowing essential English. Something as stupid as being a waiter can actually get you through school. We are not even talking working two jobs (a no-brainer in your situation) - it is obvious enough for you to come to this conclusion yourself.
Just because what you type is so dumb and shitty and lazy I have a hard time giving advice, but I saw people like you before and I know that they sometimes need motivation to do anything with themselves.
I don't know if you dwell in your parents' basement or rent but you can easily rent a room for 400-500$$ a mo in any part of the US. Depending on where, it can range from horrible cockroach-infested place to a nice clean one. It doesn't matter.
Any relatively healthy human being is capable of making AT LEAST 400+ $$ a week in the US. That leaves you with 1200$$/mo to spend on your other needs. Phones can run <30$/mo, internet about the same. depending on your needs you might even skip the phone. Lets say all your bills add up to 300$ (that's generous btw), you have 900$ left. You can buy some shitty vehicle after just 1 month of work. I'm not forgetting that you use EBT so you don't need to spend on food.
You can start bringing up excuses, additional needs etc, but I've been there myself. Just get your shit together, stop drinking beer and smoking pot, you sound dumb enough as it is. Don't make it worse.
From here on you can do w/e. Community Colleges will probably pay for your expenses (financial aid) and you won't spend a dime on education. State schools often do the same thing. You can pick from a wide range of available choices. If you can't study then do a trade. Someone said plumbing - you can make huge money - up to 100k etc. Stop whining.
Please don't go to Korea. You can, probably, but I would be saddened knowing that someone like you is teaching people. Good luck and try to become a better man.
User was warned for this post
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On January 13 2014 06:53 usedtocare wrote: I hope you don't take it too personal, I don't know you outside of TL and maybe you are not what I think you are. But the advice I will give you is brutally honest.
First of all, you are a lazy piece of shit. I feel comfortable saying this since I was in your situation before but never managed to have no job at all (except for that one period where I was incapacitated for a few months).
People come here from all over the world and often manage to score jobs without even knowing essential English. Something as stupid as being a waiter can actually get you through school. We are not even talking working two jobs (a no-brainer in your situation) - it is obvious enough for you to come to this conclusion yourself.
Just because what you type is so dumb and shitty and lazy I have a hard time giving advice, but I saw people like you before and I know that they sometimes need motivation to do anything with themselves.
I don't know if you dwell in your parents' basement or rent but you can easily rent a room for 400-500$$ a mo in any part of the US. Depending on where, it can range from horrible cockroach-infested place to a nice clean one. It doesn't matter.
Any relatively healthy human being is capable of making AT LEAST 400+ $$ a week in the US. That leaves you with 1200$$/mo to spend on your other needs. Phones can run <30$/mo, internet about the same. depending on your needs you might even skip the phone. Lets say all your bills add up to 300$ (that's generous btw), you have 900$ left. You can buy some shitty vehicle after just 1 month of work. I'm not forgetting that you use EBT so you don't need to spend on food.
You can start bringing up excuses, additional needs etc, but I've been there myself. Just get your shit together, stop drinking beer and smoking pot, you sound dumb enough as it is. Don't make it worse.
From here on you can do w/e. Community Colleges will probably pay for your expenses (financial aid) and you won't spend a dime on education. State schools often do the same thing. You can pick from a wide range of available choices. If you can't study then do a trade. Someone said plumbing - you can make huge money - up to 100k etc. Stop whining.
Please don't go to Korea. You can, probably, but I would be saddened knowing that someone like you is teaching people. Good luck and try to become a better man.
1. no need to be a massive dick. 2. your math is wrong. how can1200 -400-300 = 900?? 3. Yeah OP the picture might be bleak atm but find something you are passionate for and go all-in. You will probably never make millions, but as long as you accomplish yourself and like the line of work you are in, you should enjoy your existence.
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Personally I would recommend against teaching English. I did a brief stint in China and it is miserable - the locals look down on you, the pay is terrible, your employers will be shady, and it doesn't help your resume once you come back to the States. The only "good" positions that are available are for people who actually have experience and certification in teaching. It might be better in SK though.
If you're really willing to do something you may not enjoy to secure a decent future for yourself, I would recommend accounting. Go do a 2-year degree while working some business-related field, get a CPA, within 4 years you could be in a good enough position to guarantee yourself a middle-class income for life.
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If you've ever considered working in Canada, there are tons of jobs that are oil-related in Alberta that can pay you over $100k/year without an education. You'll be working hard and for long hours, but the opportunity is there. If you start a trade here, by the time you get your journeyman's ticket, you'll be making well north of $120k/year with a fairly cushy job. It won't be office work, but you'll be doing 10 days on, 4 days off 10-12 hour days and making $30-45/hour + overtime. You only need 2-4 months of schooling after every year of work and normally the company will pay for your schooling + give you 600-1000/month subsidy while you're in school provided you sign a contract to return to work for them.
Other options here would be to get an engineering degree where you can easily make $25-35/hour (8 hour days, 5 days a week) as an INTERN. The second you graduate, you're looking at ~$70k/year your first year out of school in a nice office job with a really awesome environment. The 4 years of school are intense and grueling but the end definitely justifies the means.
On January 13 2014 01:41 esla_sol wrote: I've thought about what I would do if I were put into a similar situation quite a bit.
I think the answer lies in education. Specifically, education that prepares you for a job right when you are finished that will make at least 40k pretax. In addition, it gives you a career which you can do for the rest of your life.
Skilled blue collar work is one option. This would entail some sort of vocational schooling. Plumber, electrician, HVAC. These jobs aren't particularly desirable however. I think there are better options.
Nursing. LVN training is typically 1-2 years and is done at community colleges. The job market for nurses is stable and will likely be so in the future. There is a lot of room for advancement. Should you really get into the profession, salaries can exceed 150k (nurse anesthetist).
A degree in computer science/engineering. A more difficult route. Will require 4-6 years of education. Decent pay and job opportunities.
Degree plus graduate training. This is what I am doing. With a science background you have options in going into the medical field, where you can specialized training in things like pharmacy or optometry, which tend to be high paying/high satisfaction jobs. I highly disagree with the science degree. The advisors sell people on "opportunity" and "potential." Guess what? There are probably 2-4000 science students starting their degrees every year. Where I got my science degree, there are 150 spots in the Medical school, 35 spots in Dentistry, 80 spots in Pharmacy and there isn't an optometry program that doesn't require an MD. So let's say there are 300 spots available. So you're now competing against every single one of those 2000-4000 students to get into one of these 300 spots (because honestly, who really takes a science degree just to get a BSc and call it quits? Maybe Geologists/Geophysicists and that's it). Not only that, you're also competing against students from across the nation who are also applying to these programs, many of whom have attended more highly regarded universities and are seen as more favourable students even though they may have lower GPAs.
If you go to university, go into a program that will get you a job. Computer science, engineering, finance, accounting, etc. Marketing is also an option but it's almost impossible to get a job there. If you do, you'll be starting from the mail room and have to work your way up.
What are you good at? Do you have exceptional people skills? Are you brilliant with anything technical? List your soft skills and maybe I can help you find something that will fit your skills.
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On January 13 2014 07:14 Kevin_Sorbo wrote:Show nested quote +On January 13 2014 06:53 usedtocare wrote: I hope you don't take it too personal, I don't know you outside of TL and maybe you are not what I think you are. But the advice I will give you is brutally honest.
First of all, you are a lazy piece of shit. I feel comfortable saying this since I was in your situation before but never managed to have no job at all (except for that one period where I was incapacitated for a few months).
People come here from all over the world and often manage to score jobs without even knowing essential English. Something as stupid as being a waiter can actually get you through school. We are not even talking working two jobs (a no-brainer in your situation) - it is obvious enough for you to come to this conclusion yourself.
Just because what you type is so dumb and shitty and lazy I have a hard time giving advice, but I saw people like you before and I know that they sometimes need motivation to do anything with themselves.
I don't know if you dwell in your parents' basement or rent but you can easily rent a room for 400-500$$ a mo in any part of the US. Depending on where, it can range from horrible cockroach-infested place to a nice clean one. It doesn't matter.
Any relatively healthy human being is capable of making AT LEAST 400+ $$ a week in the US. That leaves you with 1200$$/mo to spend on your other needs. Phones can run <30$/mo, internet about the same. depending on your needs you might even skip the phone. Lets say all your bills add up to 300$ (that's generous btw), you have 900$ left. You can buy some shitty vehicle after just 1 month of work. I'm not forgetting that you use EBT so you don't need to spend on food.
You can start bringing up excuses, additional needs etc, but I've been there myself. Just get your shit together, stop drinking beer and smoking pot, you sound dumb enough as it is. Don't make it worse.
From here on you can do w/e. Community Colleges will probably pay for your expenses (financial aid) and you won't spend a dime on education. State schools often do the same thing. You can pick from a wide range of available choices. If you can't study then do a trade. Someone said plumbing - you can make huge money - up to 100k etc. Stop whining.
Please don't go to Korea. You can, probably, but I would be saddened knowing that someone like you is teaching people. Good luck and try to become a better man. 1. no need to be a massive dick. 2. your math is wrong. how can1200 -400-300 = 900?? 3. Yeah OP the picture might be bleak atm but find something you are passionate for and go all-in. You will probably never make millions, but as long as you accomplish yourself and like the line of work you are in, you should enjoy your existence.
Another genius. 4*400 = 1600
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On January 13 2014 07:14 Kevin_Sorbo wrote:Show nested quote +On January 13 2014 06:53 usedtocare wrote: I hope you don't take it too personal, I don't know you outside of TL and maybe you are not what I think you are. But the advice I will give you is brutally honest.
First of all, you are a lazy piece of shit. I feel comfortable saying this since I was in your situation before but never managed to have no job at all (except for that one period where I was incapacitated for a few months).
People come here from all over the world and often manage to score jobs without even knowing essential English. Something as stupid as being a waiter can actually get you through school. We are not even talking working two jobs (a no-brainer in your situation) - it is obvious enough for you to come to this conclusion yourself.
Just because what you type is so dumb and shitty and lazy I have a hard time giving advice, but I saw people like you before and I know that they sometimes need motivation to do anything with themselves.
I don't know if you dwell in your parents' basement or rent but you can easily rent a room for 400-500$$ a mo in any part of the US. Depending on where, it can range from horrible cockroach-infested place to a nice clean one. It doesn't matter.
Any relatively healthy human being is capable of making AT LEAST 400+ $$ a week in the US. That leaves you with 1200$$/mo to spend on your other needs. Phones can run <30$/mo, internet about the same. depending on your needs you might even skip the phone. Lets say all your bills add up to 300$ (that's generous btw), you have 900$ left. You can buy some shitty vehicle after just 1 month of work. I'm not forgetting that you use EBT so you don't need to spend on food.
You can start bringing up excuses, additional needs etc, but I've been there myself. Just get your shit together, stop drinking beer and smoking pot, you sound dumb enough as it is. Don't make it worse.
From here on you can do w/e. Community Colleges will probably pay for your expenses (financial aid) and you won't spend a dime on education. State schools often do the same thing. You can pick from a wide range of available choices. If you can't study then do a trade. Someone said plumbing - you can make huge money - up to 100k etc. Stop whining.
Please don't go to Korea. You can, probably, but I would be saddened knowing that someone like you is teaching people. Good luck and try to become a better man. 1. no need to be a massive dick. 2. your math is wrong. how can1200 -400-300 = 900?? 3. Yeah OP the picture might be bleak atm but find something you are passionate for and go all-in. You will probably never make millions, but as long as you accomplish yourself and like the line of work you are in, you should enjoy your existence. 1. Would you prefer him to be a pussy or an asshole instead? 2. He meant 1600, it was likely a typo. 400x4 = 1600. 1600-400 = 1200. 1200-300 = 900.
Edit: Beat to the punch.
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