Job hunting.

[Grim Jhaixus]

I've turned to this forum and it's members before for strange life occurrences and it just dawned on me to ask here.

I'm 27, graduated H.S., unmarried, no kids, no addictions, no arrests, no responsibilities, no facial tattoos/piercings and I'm willing to relocate. Currently residing in Northwest Florida. Spent the last 2 years in construction and the previous 10 in security with 6 months as a warehouse manager in between. I'm good at reading, writing and counting.

I'm looking to get on with a company that has advancement opportunities. Something big, even if I have to start out part-timing as a grunt. My problems seem to come from the lack of national level opportunities in my area, I'll get on somewhere and get to the top spot and hold it for 3 years and then there are no advancements. As a brick paver I quickly was promoted to foreman but then there was no time for anything else (like school or vocational training, it was a lot of 16 hour days) and when it got cold I was suddenly broke.

I'm not asking you guys to search for me, just asking if one of you would happen to be sitting on something.

[69Charger_440]

You should apply for Customs and Border Protection. 

Pros:
-law enforcement (immigration, narcotics, customs, etc...)
-decent pay
-could be used as a stepping stone for other federal agencies
-should be plenty of opportunities for overtime
-plenty of eye candy

Cons:
-in order to be hired quickly, you would have to be willing to relocate to somewhere along the U.S./Mexico border (unless you can adapt quickly to any environment and/or can make the best of any situation)
-you could eventually relocate back home or to another area, but I wouldn't bet on moving for at least 5-10yrs (senior agents/officers would be way ahead of you on that list)
-depending which border town you would get, it could totally suck or it could be okay
-might be a culture shock for you; however, if you are from Florida you must have been around some Hispanics/Latinos, I assume
-you would work shift work for at least several years and you can kiss your weekends good-bye. Those go to the senior agents.
-you would be sucking in vehicle exhaust for several hours a day
-the bad guys will know who you are, where you live, what you drive, etc.....
-sometimes the bad guys are wearing the exact same uniform that you are and are feeding their cohorts sensitive info (sad, but true  )

Hope this helps.

[twodko]

U.S. Border Patrol is not a bad job at all. Neither is being a TSA officer. Both fed, both offer
plenty of advancement opportunities. There would be time and financial assistance for taking
higher education courses too.......if you wanted to go the extra mile.

Nights, weekends, holidays would be your shifts for sure. Healthcare, 401k, pension
and job security are the upside considerations.......huge considerations.

The border patrol thang would qualify you as a LEO, concealed carry and the training to
go sheriff deputy or police officer if that's your future interest.

If it were me I'd go border patrol. Check them out.

[Back N Black]

How about the Military?

[RallyeMike]

Have you explored why you think you are not advancing? Sometimes no matter how hard you work and how good you are, you need a piece of paper to go beyond the manual labor or manual labor supervision. If you are good at being a foreman or running the warehouse, that's where a company wants to keep you. Management is often seen as reserved for those with and stronger educational background, and jumping from one track to another is not easy. Even just a 2-yr certificate in business administration, construction management, or any other "brainy" endeavor will open completely different doors.

[Grim Jhaixus]

I already have a strong background in security and a TWIC card. I worked over 3 years on a port as a traffic monitor. Last I checked my TSA application was "accepted", no clue if it's ever going somewhere. Border patrol elsewhere is an idea.

Military would've been ideal, and it was my first choice right after I graduated, but they determined my eyesight wasn't good enough to be anything other than a "heavy wheel mechanic" for the Navy. Looking back I should've taken it even though I didn't want to turn wrenches for a living, maybe I could've proven I'd've been better as something else? Do you think 27 is too old to sign up? Couldn't hurt to ask.

If I make it to school for anything it's engineering. It has a broad application and not everyone can do it. I figure electrical engineering has the highest demand and mechanical engineering can come after as a specialization. Problem is I see no way to get to school without getting away from construction.

[stripedelete]

Ups or fedx.  Ups is known to promote from within and I'm willing to bet they offer some pretty good education benefits.  If you don't start working on a degree you will eventually top out and keep training your bosses.

How about plumbing with the goal of gaining enough certifications to have your own operation?

I agree Customs/Border patrol is a good option.  Find out how much time you'd have spend in the barrel before you could get to the Canadian border/Great Lakes.   I see them around all the time and they don't look miserable

Would your eyesight keep you out of the coast guard?

[twodko]

Guys, I don't think at 27 the military is a viable option for Grim although the screen name is perfect.  
Now that there has been a large draw down of military personnel they've become very picky about
who they take. I think it was ACUDANUT whose son was having to jump through loop after hoop
to get in and he's younger.
Border patrol is my recommendation. I'm positive there is an opportunity to attend a police officer
academy before you pin on the BP the shield. I.e. Partial employment as you attend then after the 3 month
academy you go full time AND you are a fully sworn LEO.
Beats a TWIC card all to hell and back plus it's another level of certification to go into your jacket.

Just my opinion but FedEx/UPS is a younger mans job.......truly. Unless your management material
you will be either sorting and loading trucks or schlepping them into office after office.
Read.......back, shoulder and knee problems.

I'm not trying to be a buzz kill here, Just sayin' bro

[stripedelete]

Just my opinion but FedEx/UPS is a younger mans job.......truly.

He's 27.

[Grim Jhaixus]

Thanks guys. I'm totally going to look into border patrol and US customs. I'll at least look at coast guard. FedEx/UPS as long as I'm not driving a truck I'll be fine.

[twodko]

StripeDelete,

Indeed the man is still a young guy but as a UPS/FedEx newbie he would
be schlepping/stacking and loading trucks for quite awhile before
he would see field duty with his own route. Then same-same only
he'd be driving too.

My point was at 27 it's not worth putting your back, knees or shoulders
at risk which is "baggage" he'd be carrying around.....painfully, for the rest
of his life. 

[Mopar Nut]

What about the railroad?

[stripedelete]

StripeDelete,

Indeed the man is still a young guy but as a UPS/FedEx newbie he would
be schlepping/stacking and loading trucks for quite awhile before
he would see field duty with his own route. Then same-same only
he'd be driving too.

My point was at 27 it's not worth putting your back, knees or shoulders
at risk which is "baggage" he'd be carrying around.....painfully, for the rest
of his life. 

This is why we need amnesty.  We can't expect American 20 something's to labor.   Our kids need jobs where they can be immediately promoted with absolutely no effort.

I have to disagree with you on your assumption that ups/fedx workers are being physically ground up.  It's not the salt mines.  In fact, I have never seen a fat one coming off a truck (or limping). The fifty something driver that shows up at my house has the legs of a 20 year old.  I think I could bounce a quarter off her ass.

Of course my opinion, like yours, is based on anecdotal evidence.  Maybe we have a fedx/ups employee in the club that could shed some light on this.    In the mean time I will get to work on the quarter thing.

[Mopar Nut]

In the mean time I will get to work on the quarter thing.

Make sure to post pictures or a video! 

[ws23rt]

StripeDelete,

Indeed the man is still a young guy but as a UPS/FedEx newbie he would
be schlepping/stacking and loading trucks for quite awhile before
he would see field duty with his own route. Then same-same only
he'd be driving too.

My point was at 27 it's not worth putting your back, knees or shoulders
at risk which is "baggage" he'd be carrying around.....painfully, for the rest
of his life. 

Your point is a good one.  However to avoid physical activity in order to preserve ones body will also be detrimental to the body as well as the mind.
Our body's will grow and adapt to what we call for them to do.  Care and attention to how we do what we do will allow our body's to adapt.

We can have a car that is ready to go but if we never drive it we miss something very important.

[ACUDANUT]

How about the Military?

Without a Military background, it will be very hard to get a Job with the Federal Government.  

[Mytur Binsdirti]

From what I have learned from people I know who have relocated to Florida, that is not a state where you will strike it rich. Thanks to our political "leadership", and laws that have been passed in recent years, good paying full time jobs in the dreaded private sector are on a downhill trend in favor of part-time jobs. And with companies relocating out of the country to avoid paying higher US taxes, that trend will continue until laws, lawmakers and attitudes are changed here. However, the oil business is one segment that is booming, but you will have to locate to those states where the oil is. If you want a protected and guaranteed 9-5 job with not much heavy lifting and responsibility, there are plenty of government jobs out there.




And to add to what Stripe Delete said sarcastically above, giving amnesty for millions of illegals crimaliens who, as a whole, will be nothing but a drain on society is not a solution that this country needs.

[sunfire69]

Some one mentioned the Rail Road.....VERY good call...I know CSX is almost always hiring it's a very structured seniority system so you start at the bottom...but even the starting pay is decent and the benefits are good and they have their own retirement (railroad retirement board) separate from Social Security..at 27 you would be hard pressed to find a better place to start in this economy..

[Grim Jhaixus]

I already have numbers for guys in Jacksonville that won't return my calls concerning rail roads, and the funny thing is it was seeing a CL listing for that rail company got me thinking how I needed to get on with something bigger, so I posted this thread. The railroad is currently an "in progress" attempt.

[Dino]

27 and not bound to anything?  Easy, get your ass into college and get a degree that still has a future.  In the mean time get a job that pays just enough to pay your way through school and doesn't take much thinking as you'll need to focus your energy on studies.  Financial aid is there as long as you look and ask. 

I was in auto body for years and now am 40 sitting in classes with 20 year olds.  Don't wait, do it now.

[ACUDANUT]

 What Dino said. Also stay with your parents as long as you can. 

[73-charger-383]

Tons of jobs here in NW MN....the weather takes a little getting used to, but great opportunities up here. 

[BSB67]

I believe that there are still jobs available in the petroleum/natural gas industries.  Bakken, Marcellus and Utica shale plays.  Even if you get in with a sub of a sub, if you are serious about working hard, they will figure it out, move you around, and you'll be making 6 figures in a few years or maybe sooner.  At least that was the way it was a few years ago.

[myk]

27 and not bound to anything?  Easy, get your ass into college and get a degree that still has a future.  In the mean time get a job that pays just enough to pay your way through school and doesn't take much thinking as you'll need to focus your energy on studies.  Financial aid is there as long as you look and ask. 

I was in auto body for years and now am 40 sitting in classes with 20 year olds.  Don't wait, do it now.

I shamefully have to agree with Dino.  Shameful in that if I could turn back time I'd have stuck it out in school and earned my degree.  No, school isn't for everyone, and no, that piece of paper doesn't make you a better man than the next, nor does it guarantee you success in the world.  HOWEVER, a lot of places love that little piece of paper, and your future with a lot of these places will depend on that piece of paper.  If you have the option of living at home I would take advantage of that, keep your part time security job or whatever, and GO TO SCHOOL.  Earning a degree may, or may not benefit you in the future, but like a good pistol, I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it, and realize you'll be stuck working dead-end, low-pay, no-respect, thankless jobs like me for the rest of your stupid life...

[Dino]

It's not too late for you either my friend.   

I worked crappy jobs well into my thirties.  You alone can change that, nobody will do it for you.  As hard as it is to get through college, it's worth it.  A few more years and I have a few letters behind my name and a solid 6 figure income.  Yes it's worth it.   

[AKcharger]

Military is an option but ya' gotta be quick have to be IN BASIC TRAINING by 27 1/7. draw back is you'll have to take whatever job they offer.

how about oil industry in the Dakota's??? heard they can get enough people and pay $$$

[myk]

It's not too late for you either my friend.   

I worked crappy jobs well into my thirties.  You alone can change that, nobody will do it for you.  As hard as it is to get through college, it's worth it.  A few more years and I have a few letters behind my name and a solid 6 figure income.  Yes it's worth it.   

I've got too much going on to go back.  I had a free ride through college if I wanted it, but spent that time and money dreaming about orange cars; I just couldn't stand being in a classroom.  Besides, I've decided that it's my duty to educate younger people into making more informed decisions about their lives, with a possibility of orange cars somewhere within it...

[Chad L. Magee]

It's not too late for you either my friend.   

I worked crappy jobs well into my thirties.  You alone can change that, nobody will do it for you.  As hard as it is to get through college, it's worth it.  A few more years and I have a few letters behind my name and a solid 6 figure income.  Yes it's worth it.   

However, I must interject that a few letters earned behind your name does not guarantee a solid 6 figure income.  The key is to choose the right area that is fit for you and you for it.  That all depends on what you plan to do with what you learned and why.  So many people do not get that part of the equation right.  I see college students all the time that are going into the wrong area, just because they assume that they will make big bucks, when that subject area is not what they are good/interested in.  That is a recipe for unhappiness, no matter how much they make.  Not every profession is about the money, money, money.  Some careers have different types of rewards.  It does not make them any less important in the big scheme of things....

[Dino]

It's not too late for you either my friend.   

I worked crappy jobs well into my thirties.  You alone can change that, nobody will do it for you.  As hard as it is to get through college, it's worth it.  A few more years and I have a few letters behind my name and a solid 6 figure income.  Yes it's worth it.   

However, I must interject that a few letters earned behind your name does not guarantee a solid 6 figure income.  The key is to choose the right area that is fit for you and you for it.  That all depends on what you plan to do with what you learned and why.  So many people do not get that part of the equation right.  I see college students all the time that are going into the wrong area, just because they assume that they will make big bucks, when that subject area is not what they are good/interested in.  That is a recipe for unhappiness, no matter how much they make.  Not every profession is about the money, money, money.  Some careers have different types of rewards.  It does not make them any less important in the big scheme of things....

I absolutely agree and therefor should have added to my post that I have been in the health care field for many years and this is where I want to be.  I have always been happy working in this sector so the rise in pay is just one of the many benefits.  I enjoyed my $40K job as well.  But since I could be happy in a number of places I picked one that I really want to do and has better pay.  The letters in this case will pretty much guarantee that salary range early on in the career, but it is true that more often than not, 6 figures will not be reached.  PA's make decent money.  I have never been someone who needed a lot and have lived a pretty simple life.  I make no excuse that if I can make some more money in the latter half (hopefully) of my life to give me a bit more security that I would not take that.  It's just not as big of a driving factor, the extra money is just a bonus.

I could not get myself through school if it was just for money, I would have dropped out a long time ago.  You need to have a strong desire to do this and come out on top.

My apologies for the misleading message.  Go get the degree for the job you want...but do make sure it makes something cause you're gonna have a lot of loans to pay back!   

[Bob T]

Hey Grim, have you ever considered a career in the marine industry aboard a commercial vessel?

Getting a start is quite difficult but it might only be a deck position on some coastal lugger, but in time, you can work your way up with experience and external study and qualifications ( which the ship will probably pay for) if you stick with it.
With a decent enough roster of maybe 3 months on 3 months off and a month of holiday a year you end up working the equivalent of 5 months for a salary package of 12.

Also,  the age you are at with few other commitments means it could take you anywhere you chose to go ( as a trade related or officer position onboard ) with guaranteed transferable skills that would get you a job anywhere. You sound like you have no problem handling responsibility or staff so it could possibly work well.
If you like the sea that is.

Time is marching on for me but I've made a lot of changes to my goals in the last two years and now am in a similar but marine aligned role and about to head offshore for a new set of challenges and adventure too.

[Grim Jhaixus]

Been trying for the utility boats that run supplies to the oil rigs in the gulf since I was 18. It's damn hard to get in, I even have names and numbers references and I still get passed over. I always saw it as a perfect fit since I was untied, don't get sea sick and love travel.

Also, I have no family. Mom is in Alaska and Dad is in Baltimore and I'm already doing better than either of them.

I already stated I want to get into engineering. I'm damn good at math and have an easy time understanding how a thing works often without even having to look at it. I know it's an ability not everyone has. One the flip side I can't dance, write poetry, sing, or understand women.

[twodko]

Grim,

You sound woefully normal.

[TUFCAT]

all of the above is true.....unless you win the lottery or find sugar mamma!   

[sunfire69]

location location location....getting on the rail road in Jacksonville might be tough.....try in the mid atlantic...freight runs up and down the east coast....there are jobs available here.....

[ws23rt]

It's not too late for you either my friend.   

I worked crappy jobs well into my thirties.  You alone can change that, nobody will do it for you.  As hard as it is to get through college, it's worth it.  A few more years and I have a few letters behind my name and a solid 6 figure income.  Yes it's worth it.   

However, I must interject that a few letters earned behind your name does not guarantee a solid 6 figure income.  The key is to choose the right area that is fit for you and you for it.  That all depends on what you plan to do with what you learned and why.  So many people do not get that part of the equation right.  I see college students all the time that are going into the wrong area, just because they assume that they will make big bucks, when that subject area is not what they are good/interested in.  That is a recipe for unhappiness, no matter how much they make.  Not every profession is about the money, money, money.  Some careers have different types of rewards.  It does not make them any less important in the big scheme of things....

This is the best advice for a career.  A job could be a stepping stone to a career.
Make a decision about what you can do and want to do.  What fits you and is engaging. If you miss on that decision you may need to make a career change in the future and most likely a step back financially as well.

Another important piece of advice is to not base your decision on money. If you chose the right path for yourself the money will chase you.

I'm in industrial construction for example and see many young'uns coming in joining a trade union. Too often they tend to focus on how to get hours on the job and neglect the doing the job part.  Those tend to get fewer jobs because of their earned reputation.

Again if you chose what you are good at and work to be the best at it you will get paid very well for that effort in the long run.  BTW the long run is what we are talking about here.  And since it is the long run you may as well have a fun and rewarding time with it.  Our working life is the largest single part of our lives.

[Grim Jhaixus]

I can agree with that.

My interest in engineering isn't money as much as it's something I know I can do well. That said I've had the recent experience of discovering I'm some kind of savant with decorative block walls and very skilled with brick pavers. There's not enough demand for the work tho so the prices drop to concrete competitive levels and everyone ends up broke and injured. Being the best in a niche craft isn't enough, better to be excellent at something with a broad application. Union politics seem a nightmare I can avoid so I think I will.

[Bob T]

Grim, how did you get on? Did you end up doing something new or away ?

I've recently got back home for Christmas after nearly 4 1/2 months in Abu Dhabi UAE on a ship project, it's been very interesting, challenging and a good earn too.
Heading back up there for another stint shortly, worth it for the experience and future career prospects.