Finally... a break (and it's not one of my limbs)

[Indiana Karen]

That stinks. 

[mascot]

Yeah, it's a real pain trying to find a decent job around here.  So I made a decision the other day, and as of yesterday I am officially an ITT Tech student.  Hopefully I will learn a thing or two and be able to find another career.  I want to be a Network System Administrator when I grow up.

[Kittyzee]

That's a great decision!  I love a learning environment:  it's stimulating and fun.  Keep us posted on your progress!   

[Esther]

I hope it goes well.

[tweetybaby2005]

That really stinks.     I'm glad you have chosen to go back to school.  We can't keep our system admin long enough before he/she gets a better paying job some where else so you pick the right thing to do.      

Kuan

[mascot]

thanks, it was something I was planning on before I got laid off, only now I wish I didn't wait so long...   My new year's resolution was to stop procrastinating, but I decided to wait another year.  duh.

When I was there to meet with a counselor, I asked about certain training and what to expect pay-wise.  One of them wasn't very much pay, and I told him, "I'm not all about the money, but I'm 50, not 24.  I don't have another 40 years to plan a retirement, so I need to get a higher paying job and I want to train for that so I won't have to work when I'm 76!  Who knows if SS will be there when I need it?

There was one woman there that I just didn't care for.  She was helping me with financial aide, and asked for the addresses of two friends for reference.  I told her I didn't have their addresses handy (I wasn't told I'd need that ahead of time) and she gave me a snobby look.  I told her, "I can drive you to their homes, but I don't write them letters!"  Then she smugly told me that she had the addresses of her references.  What a biatch!  If she was the first person I met there, I'd have left.  I don't think they need someone like that when people are trying to figure out how they're going to pay $45k for an education... I went there to meet with a counselor and an hour later I'm getting a class schedule and financial aid.  I wasn't expecting it to happen all that day! 

I have to meet with her again tomorrow, if she is still rude I'm going to let the school know.  It's not like she's doing me a favor, they are getting a lot of money for my classes!

[Mikey]

Once you get the training consider being independent and join a business network.  A friend does massages and joined a small independent business network where members meet regularly, exchange stories and business cards and this effort often leads to work for them.  We were having some problems with our PCs and our internal network.  This friend who does the massages gave us the business card of someone from her business network who works on computers.  We called him and what a blessing he has been.  He does good work and depends on referrals.  We have used him several times and have referred others to him.  He charges $60 an hour and has plenty of business.  He loves being his own boss and having the freedom to work when and where he wants.

Here's wishing you well in your new career change.

[mascot]

Thanks.

Yeah, it's all about networking.  I'm amazed, though, how little response I get from handing out my own business cards at these functions.  I get people all the time who say they want stickers, or bus cards, or a web site, or vinyl graphics... and yet I get no calls.   

Maybe things will change when I can actually prove with a piece of paper that I know something! 

[miguynmkoi]

It's great news Mike that you have a fantastic outlook for your future!  You'll do very well with all the knowledge and background you have shown us here.  Good Luck!

[mascot]

 Thanks... ugh.  I did homework tonight.  homework.  This is so weird, I haven't been in a real classroom for about 32 years.  I sure hope I do well....

[Jerry]

presistence is the key!

[Esther]

You have some advantages that the "kids" don't have. And of course they have some over you. Lean on your strengths and hang in there.