Sitting at work...

[mcan]

...browsing the planet and not getting much done. They moved me to Sundays to sit here as the only tech in the building and take care of walk ins. I work for a local ipod/iphone repair shop, and generally like the work. The holidays have us behind by quite a bit and the techs around here put in a ton of unpaid hours to keep the place as close to "caught up" as possible. But moving me to Sundays means I'm not here on Fridays (which is usually a day we get a lot done and don't receive as many shipments). Without me here though, Fridays are now putting us further behind.

Anyway, the pay is kinda garbage ($11/hr) but I do have some benefits and it's full time. Just frustrated that I'm here on Sundays and still not making a living wage. So, now to my question:

What the hell do I have to do in this freaking city to make $30 or $40K a year? I have a college degree and generally work my butt off and make myself valuable to my employers. Just... Frustrated that the only jobs out there seem to pay in the mid $20Ks at best, and companies are so freaking stingy with raises. I'd have to work here for many many years it seems to even build up to what anybody would call "middle class" earnings.

[mcan]

Originally Posted by Buzz_TinBalls

last year I loaned a friend $6K so he could start a puter repair shop. last month he paid me $9k and made $72k profit this year. Just him and his friend. the store is located in san francisco.

Yeah, that sounds awesome. Congrats to your friend, and to you for the nice roi!

[Al Czervik]

Originally Posted by mcan

I was told over and over again as I was growing up that the degree was the important part, and that I should study something I'd be interested in. So I went for theater and philosophy. ooops.

Dude...Theater and Philosphy?????

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/worst-....html?page=all

[FlaChief58]

I hear there's good money on the streets if you don't mind working nights

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by mcan

I was told over and over again as I was growing up that the degree was the important part, and that I should study something I'd be interested in. So I went for theater and philosophy. ooops.

That degree with gain you no working/employment advantage unless you use it as a platform to getting a Master's in something useful.

But if you like fixing phones, sounds like a small business venture could be something you should look into.

[RunKC]

There are plenty of jobs. You just have to look really hard. Finding a job is a full -time job in itself.
A lot of jobs train you as well.

[Ultra Peanut]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I'd love to answer your question, but it would result in this thread getting moved to DC.

Yup. Sad that so many people are only willing to prescribe individual solutions to systemic problems.

[mcan]

Originally Posted by loochy

Oh. That degree really means nothing in the normal job market other than satisfying a "4 year degree" requirement. Why aren't you pursuing theater? Are you willing to move? Start checking out job openings in NYC.

I have always looked at theater as more of a hobby and a skill set. Helped me develop social skills and leadership skills that I sorely lacked in high school. But never thought I'd make a career out of it. Same with music, philosophy, art, etc... I have a lot of hobbies and interests that have made me a much more well rounded person. Since college I've become a big fan of science and math too... Kinda wish I had done engineering or programming now. Oh well.

[mcan]

Originally Posted by Al Czervik

Dude...Theater and Philosphy?????

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/worst-....html?page=all

Dude, don't rub it in. I mean it's not like I have 60K in debt now or anything... Er... Well, at least they don't have debtors prison now.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by mcan

Shitting at work...

How i read this thread ...

[New World Order]

Get your MBA, Rockhurst has a 1 year plan.

[mcan]

Originally Posted by New World Order

Get your MBA, Rockhurst has a 1 year plan.

There's something I hadn't thought of. Interesting...

[crossbow]

When I started in the IT field 30 years ago it was the best job you could have. It paid well and was a highly respected profession. After most of the businesses were converted from big computers and mini-computers with expensive climate controlled rooms to server client systems...the need for techs declined. To save money help desk jobs were exported to India. All of this created a surplus of IT technicians which of course drove the wages down. If cutting back a little was profitable then why not get rid of every tech you can? (that is the attitude of the modern corporations. Companies expect you to now do the work of three people and get paid much less for it. What makes this situation even worse is that most people in management have no clue of how long it takes or how difficult can be because they have never had to do it themselves. And because they are getting pressure from people who have no clue to increase productivity with less resources...they pass that on to you. IT is now prettty much a crappy career path. But this faulty phylosophy is not limited to the computer industry. It is the norm for pretty much all of the field service companies. At least that is what I concluded from conversations with a lot of field people. Too much greed in upper management seems to be a common ailment everywhere.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by mcan

There's something I hadn't thought of. Interesting...

When I left ESU, they were considering starting an MBA program through their Metro Learning Center up there. It would likely be cheaper than Rockhurst, and at least when I did their on-campus program, they had a year program.

[Buehler445]

In other news, you could get a government job. Most of the time, unless it is a big managment job, they just require a non-specific degree.

You could also look at FSA or NRCS. I'd probably wait until they pass the next farm bill, but those jobs pay OK, and are fairly stable.

Other than that, I can't tell you much. I'm too far away from KC to know much of anything. But when I was at Emporia I went to a few job fairs up there. Keep your eyes peeled for those.

[mcan]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

In other news, you could get a government job. Most of the time, unless it is a big managment job, they just require a non-specific degree.

You could also look at FSA or NRCS. I'd probably wait until they pass the next farm bill, but those jobs pay OK, and are fairly stable.

Other than that, I can't tell you much. I'm too far away from KC to know much of anything. But when I was at Emporia I went to a few job fairs up there. Keep your eyes peeled for those.

Also not a terrible thought. Plus, those jobs looks better on resumes years down the road... Certainly better than working at a mall at tmobile anyway... Which was a waste of a year.