Unemployment

[Ldub]

After nearly 20 years in IT I was laid off last July after 12 years as a SysAdmin for SunTrust Bank along with over 3000 others in various technology divisions within the bank. The bulk of the work and a lot of TARP money went to India, Mexico and Canada as they offshored as much as possible and what little they couldn't went to cut-rate outsources. Now I'm going back to school starting next month for a 2-year AS degree as an Aviation Maintenance Professional, basically an airplane mechanic as I'll have my FAA Airframe & Powerplant licenses plus Avionics Certifications. After 3 years in the field then I can get my Inspection Authorization license. My intent is to stay local at one of our nearby airfields and stay away from the airlines as my desire is to be happy rather than rich, as it certainly pays less than IT. At least I won't be in a cube waiting for the next round of layoffs as no one is going to fly their Cessna to Bangalore for an annual or overhaul. I'm especially looking forward to learning more about diesels as they're coming on strong to replace gasoline engines in light aircraft. As I'm already a pilot (SEL & SES) it gives me a little extra opportunity to log some flight time too!

Good point Joe...


I'll add...It's life man, ya gotta roll with it...

In the time since I was still in high school I've been...

Parts counter help at a motorcycle dealership
Gas station attendant (some of you youngsters won't know what this is)
Tire store worker, both automotive & ag/truck + light mechanical work
Painter
Hairdresser
Kona coffee farmer...also, other stuff...
Orchardist, banannas,avacados,macadamia nuts,all manner of citrus, + a wide variety of tropical ornamentals
Dive boat deck hand/guide
Carpenter - new homes & remodeling +(concrete,roofing, light plumbing & electrical,etc.)
Gas/woodburning fireplace installer
Ceramic,marble & granite tile installer
Glass sunroom builder
Cabinet maker
Janitor
Security guard

Seems like I might have forgot a few, but the point is, you gotta be fluid & move through life with minimal resistance...it's sometimes surprising where you can find an opprotunity, but you have to be looking...


I STILL don't know what I wanna be when I grow up...

I guess anything OTHER than stuck in a rut...

[JHarris1385]

Hairdresser? As in licensed and all?

[SomeBeach]

WOW! Ldub is a cabinet making security guard hairdresser that serves coffee. Who could ask for more than that???

[Ldub]

Hairdresser? As in licensed and all?

Believe it or don't...held a licence for four years before I ran away & moved to the Big Island...

[JHarris1385]

That is pretty interesting....My wife is a hairstylist.

[etlsport]

Good point Joe...


I'll add...It's life man, ya gotta roll with it...

In the time since I was still in high school I've been...

Parts counter help at a motorcycle dealership
Gas station attendant (some of you youngsters won't know what this is)
Tire store worker, both automotive & ag/truck + light mechanical work
Painter
Hairdresser
Kona coffee farmer...also, other stuff...
Orchardist, banannas,avacados,macadamia nuts,all manner of citrus, + a wide variety of tropical ornamentals
Dive boat deck hand/guide
Carpenter - new homes & remodeling +(concrete,roofing, light plumbing & electrical,etc.)
Gas/woodburning fireplace installer
Ceramic,marble & granite tile installer
Glass sunroom builder
Cabinet maker
Janitor
Security guard

Seems like I might have forgot a few, but the point is, you gotta be fluid & move through life with minimal resistance...it's sometimes surprising where you can find an opprotunity, but you have to be looking...


I STILL don't know what I wanna be when I grow up...

I guess anything OTHER than stuck in a rut...

nice dub!! im just a youngin so i dont have as many as you, but ive definitely held a wide variety of jobs

installing rooftop satellites
cashier at acmoore
janitor at an apartment complex
book binder (putting spiral bindings in text books, notebooks etc)
telemarketer
paper cutting/jogging/stacking (for "time to re-order" cards and informational brochures)
bicycle repairman
vacuum salesman
tire salesman/ basic mechanic (tires, oil, batteries)
architectural drafter
architectural engineer/ autocad

[SomeBeach]

Its sad to see people that have lost jobs or had hours cut. Around here they talk recession but so many people don't want to work. I have had people come out to poor a sidewalk, put trim in den, and install counter tops. I couldn't get the companies to even call me back. I called a builder to inquire about building me a house. The builder never called back. The concrete guy came by and complained about how he was going bankrupt and was losing one of his 9 homes. Then he never calls back with estimate. Last time I saw him he was leaving in his new Hummer. Kinda makes you sick.

[vt_maverick]

If anybody's looking for a job and has either IT education/experience or is prior military, PM me and I may be able to hook you up. I work for a defense contractor and (so far) business is still booming. At a minimum we have locations in Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Texas, California, Hawaii, Germany, and Korea. There aren't necessarily open slots at all those locations, but it gives you an idea of the geographical options you might have.