Its really hard to get ahead if your on the bottom in America right now

I have really been putting a lot of effort into getting ahead in this place and its really starting to feel like im wasting my time.

I don't have car so i am extremely limited in whats available to me. The jobs in the area are not that good and there is little to no manufacturing. The nearest bus stop is 3 miles away. To give you an idea of the crumbling economy here in Florida let me show you some things...

Due to the overwhelming number of requests for training dollars, Workforce Alliance ended accepting scholarship applications at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 30, 2013. Workforce Alliance may be able to accept scholarship applications again after November 15, 2013. We will post updated information on this page when it is available.

PBalliance

I wanted to seek out a CDL training program through the workforce investment act but i can't. Its nearly impossible to get into a trade these days as there isn't consistent work.

I dno people im at wits end. What are we suppose to do?

reply to post by onequestion


It's just a suggestion, but do you have any artistic talent for pictures and images? T-shirt/Mug type graphics?

It won't pay your whole monthly nut or anything, but there were a few guys in my graphics program who made quite a side income from places like Cafe Press.

I know they did this because it got into a little friendly competition one day of watching them pull up their summary account sheets to compare who made more off their side hobby (which, for them it was). The lower was making a couple hundred a month and the winner of the little contest had pulled $1,000 the month before. All from those little graphics that someone out there is buying.

The same can be done for user submitted photography sites. I mean stock photos, not the exotic kind. lol... Don't shoot skys, clouds, lakes or grass and think you just thought of doing it for the very first time ...and you'll do just fine if you have a knack for picture taking and can (last year's req's) pull at least 10mp quality with a "Professional Approach" to content. If this fits, what that means will be easily picked up from what is there. Shutterstock, Istockphoto and others are the places to check for specifics on submission.

The key to either idea? You don't need credentials, qualifications, education or references. You just need product you made, you are willing to license over for sale and you have the skill to make to a level at what the sites already have. Then....make something better. (hundreds of somethings...Money comes from quantity not single items on anything)

reply to post by onequestion


I think that's the case around the world , we didn't cause it yet we take the pain ..... Ah Capitalism
There are plenty feeling the pain over here in the UK .

reply to post by onequestion


If you don't have kids, get on a bus and move to San Antonio Texas.

You will have a job within a month if you want one.

Get megabus and you can probably bus it there for 100 bucks if you plan right. Pack a bivy tent and be sure to bring your id etc.

I have a Bachelor's degree and I can't find a decent job. I have a BSED in Elementary Education and where I live its a near impossible field to get into. I'm thinking of going back to school for my Masters in Reading and a certification as a Reading Instructor. Of course that will mean a $20,000 loan that I may not be able to pay on. There is just nothing out there. Its pretty dim.

reply to post by onequestion


Leave Florida, come to Texas. I bet there are companies in Florida that operate here, and we are looking for employees. Desparately looking for employees.

I have 2 recent threads detailing this for ATSers who really, truly are at their wits end, and want to create change in their finances/work history.

Sportbominable
I have a Bachelor's degree and I can't find a decent job. I have a BSED in Elementary Education and where I live its a near impossible field to get into. I'm thinking of going back to school for my Masters in Reading and a certification as a Reading Instructor. Of course that will mean a $20,000 loan that I may not be able to pay on. There is just nothing out there. Its pretty dim.

Rural Texas. They can't keep teachers.

Matter of fact, if you have any Perkins loan debt outstanding still, you may get the balanced waived if you work in a rural school here in Texas.

I have said it over a hundred times this year alone: come to texas. We are desperate for workers. In every field. Our local ISD just gave another pay increase to encourage more applicants.

reply to post by onequestion


My only advice is think outside the box, live communally if you can, times like these that creative solutions are needed.

That being said, there are options.

With out knowing your skill set its hard to advise, I myself have gone through some hard times since the collapse, and i am thriving now.

I am not mentioning this to brag, just offer solutions.

I had a stroke at 25, my wife and I lost the largest source of income with that, making me disabled. We also where upside down on a 600k house.

Lost the house, Lost the income, at the same time my father managed to lose all his holdings as well, multiple houses and his retirement all gone trying to save it all.

It took time, and it took some drastic measures, that Included moving 1200 miles from home to achieve a more attainable lifestyle.

Going back to being disabled, in a state that has a full percentage point above Florida's I have found several jobs that could sustain us if the need arose. From putting my own craigslist adds up for Cell phone hacking and computer repair (no formal training mind you just the willingness to learn it on my own)

To just recently getting a position at Dell... Heres the key for me.

I was down right mystified at how many job offers I was able to attain in a short time, not interviews, job offers for employment.

All I did was apply to everything that I even remotely had skills for, and when I went on those interview I never once showed a defeatist attitude. I know what I am capable of, and I know what an asset I can be to a company, having even that little bet of confidence wins out more often than you think.

I guess what I am trying to say, as a Disabled individual who lost everything in the collapse, is don't give up, YOU CAN DO IT.

This is still america, and the opportunities are there if you are willing to do what is necessary, it may not be nice, it may not be comfortable, it may require stepping well outside your comfort zone, But you can do it.

I promise you if you don't give up and keep trying you can find success.

reply to post by Wrabbit2000


What Wrabbit says is true.

I am not seeking to make anything, but a t-shirt i designed for my wife....4 people have asked m to make them one from her wearing it just once. I have a series that I am having printed for my son, and have had 2 requests for prints from those designs as well (after me showing them png's of the design). I don't accept profits from any art I do....so they pay flat cost for me ordering it for them. But I could see turning some of my art into a cash hobby.

The business I help run uses my stuff all the time.

reply to post by bigfatfurrytexan


Teacher hurdles are not worth it for the majority of people.

There's no rational explanation why school teachers have to have a bachelors degree + a teacher preparation program that wastes even more time and money for people already looking for work.

A have an idea... create a certification program for people who already have a bachelor's and a paid internship of 6 months classroom time instead of forcing the student to pay to work for the school districts.

Right now to be a teacher you have to complete a 156 hour program, 81 hours of ppr requirements AND a one year internship that is unpaid where you have to actually PAY the mentors.

To be a middle school teacher and teach art you have to have more hours and classroom time under your belt than a high level accountant.

reply to post by onequestion


If you are serious about CDL traning, contact Swift , look up their email, and bug them,
you end up paying around $6K for training, but they will set you up with a class, you work for them if you chose, and pay back out of your check.
Its not a great company, but not bad over all. In a matter of a short time you could be on the road.
You get put up in a hotel at the training location, you need to worry about food while you are there, and on the road until you get your first paycheck.
If you are serious, they can get you going, lets face it, until you get a year or two in, you are going to be at the mercy of any company. Once you get a few years in at lest 1, then you can shop around for a better job.
hit the website and let them know you are serious about training and you will get on the road before you know it.

reply to post by onequestion


It's just as bad here in the UK.

I don't have a car and this limits which jobs I can apply for, not that I stand a chance of getting a job - I've been looking and applying for any employment for over 2 years now but have never been contacted. At the last job I applied for I was informed via email that my application was unsuccessful and that there were more than 2,000 applicants for that one job.

I have always worked since leaving school and have never been without a job, so being unemployed for so long is really a struggle. It doesn't help one's confidence that our gov insists on slurring all unemployed people as bone-idle beer-swilling druggies, and the media does the same thing. I'm made to feel unworthy of breathing the same air as employed folk.

I am 56 and I have never known life to be so hard in this country as it is now. The cold weather has arrived and I can't afford to have my heating on, can't afford to eat properly. It's getting impossible to survive.

When you're cold and hungry it's difficult to be enthusiastic about life or anything. Everywhere you look there is nothing but poverty and misery and no hope. I don't even want to be here any longer.

I feel like throwing the towel in.

reply to post by bigfatfurrytexan


Can you link to your threads so i can check out furry? I really appreciate it if you do cause i cant live like this anymore.

To the OP. My current ecological niche is also Flori-DUH and |'d love to help You find Your place. If near Citrus County, | can help in getting a job. My Wife (SWMBO) is a medical records director at a rehab/nursing hospital, they are always looking for 'reliable help' from maintenance guy to laundry guy. Let Me know and |'ll provide the info.

|'d agree with the One w/the red ape avatar (| can't read the writing) There is also an article in last week's Time™ about Texas and all the great things happening there. |'d certainly take Texas over either of the Dakotas, the "other place" that One may get a job.

At least You're thinking ahead, some never see further down the line. If where You are "sucks" get out, or blame no One but YourSelf. The folks that You see that feel they are "stuck"? They ARE! Like | typed in another thread "The American Dream isn't dead, You just have to go elsewhere to get it" If this ACA/ObamaCare and ALL the other crap, gets remotely close to the fan, |'m blowing out of here TOO but not going to stay here in 'Merika.

Let me know if | can help but either way | hope You find what You are looking for. Uruguay is 21-1 on the exchange rate. A 990' apt. in Montevideo, 2 blocks from the water is $68.00USD/month. What would a lobster dinner cost? You are a citizen of the World, don't get cramped.
If You're married or have kids then well... What would be best for THEM?

namaste

OrphanApology
reply to post by bigfatfurrytexan

 

Teacher hurdles are not worth it for the majority of people.

There's no rational explanation why school teachers have to have a bachelors degree + a teacher preparation program that wastes even more time and money for people already looking for work.

A have an idea... create a certification program for people who already have a bachelor's and a paid internship of 6 months classroom time instead of forcing the student to pay to work for the school districts.

Right now to be a teacher you have to complete a 156 hour program, 81 hours of ppr requirements AND a one year internship that is unpaid where you have to actually PAY the mentors.

To be a middle school teacher and teach art you have to have more hours and classroom time under your belt than a high level accountant.

My response was to someone who stated that they have a degree in elementary education.

reply to post by severdsoul


I have investigated the Swift option and its still on the table. Im exhausting every option before i go OTR for swift.

reply to post by gortex

.....I think that's the case around the world , we didn't cause it yet we take the pain ..... Ah Capitalism....

It is NOT Capitalism. It is the end result of Fractional Reserve Banking. aka FRAUD.

“A disordered currency is one of the greatest of evils. It wars against industry, frugality, and economy. And it fosters the evil spirits of extravagance and speculation.

Of all the contrivances for cheating the laboring classes of mankind, none has been more effectual than that which deludes them with paper money. This is one of the most effectual of inventions to fertilize the rich man’s field by the sweat of the poor man’s brow.

Ordinary tyranny, oppression, excessive taxation: These bear lightly the happiness of the mass of the community, compared with fraudulent currencies and robberies committed with depreciated paper.” ~ Sen. Daniel Webster, during the debate over the reauthorization of the Second National Bank of the U.S. in 1832

Why can't people get it through their heads that neither corporate CEOs or Banksters want capitalism? THEY HATE CAPITALISM!

Capitalism means NO banker printed pixie dust money and LOTS of competition. Capitalism by definition is reinvesting YOUR Wealth not banker farted Fiat Funny Money.

The Corporate CEO's desire is NOT to have a competitive market. It’s the very LAST thing any profit maximizing CEO wants.

What a CEO wants is a monopoly where they can achieve the profit maximizing price point. Not competition. No “market” with many sellers.

So watch what GE does, as an example. It is always on the hunt for a market it can “dominate”. It uses political leverage to get its products mandated and the competition banned. It doesn’t want a market, it wants a ‘company store’.

Internalize that, and a lot of things “fit” better…

Another example is Monsanto pushing legislation to ban private traditional seeds and seed sharing, and promoting GMO products.

What the bankers and corporate CEOs want is "Socialism" THEIR brand of socialism. Mother Jones describes how it is working HERE.

Now add in the DELIBERATE destruction of independent farmers forcing them off their land and into the cities to become WAGE SLAVES. The Massive red tape and zoning laws doing the same thing to small business people while the Corporate - Government Revolving Door makes sure the International Corporate Cartels get a free pass. And last of all the United Nations Agenda 21 Transit Villages and you have just recreated the medieval Fiefdom or Robber Baron Company Town.

They are using our emotions to sway us as the implement the laws that never actually do what we thought they were supposed to do.

reply to post by bigfatfurrytexan

Leave Florida, come to Texas.....

If I was not semi-retired with a small business (barely pays for itself but keeps me busy) I would be heading for Texas right now.

To the guy who is 56 and unemployed. I do not know about the UK, but here in the USA if you are over 45 THEY WILL NOT HIRE YOU! Our age discrimination law isn't worth the paper it is written on.

Your best bet is to knock off all but the last ten years of employment and pray. (Or come to Texas )

I think im going to have to put moving to texas on the table.

reply to post by onequestion


Immigration. This tool is to continue being used until the living standard and required wage is low enough to compete globally with the third worlders.

The slide to the bottom is designed for 2/3 of the USA. you are wasting time trying to get ahead if on the bottom as there are MILLIONS of immigrants, Many of whom get points over you for jobs and CORPORATIONS get kickbacks for hiring them