Real job for HS dependent?
June 9, 2011 12:16 AM Subscribe
I need creative ideas for real jobs with a hope for a future for an 18yo, given a high school degree?
I have a new step-son, a young man of 18, recently graduated from high school (without distinction). While bright, technically and mechanically inclined, as well as impressively artistic, he's not college material. He needs a job with a future, something more than washing dishes or slinging fries. He's not done well with the food service industry.
There's pretty clearly no such thing as a factory job in my patch (SE USA) any more. While I'm dubious as to the value of for-profit "job training" (ITT Tech, et. al), we are willing to pay for trade training, union dues, internship expenses, etc.
What are my options? Who will hire a high school grad with a support network, ability if required to pay for training and internship, into a job where he's got the opportunity to support himself long term? And how do I tap into that?
BTW...Yes, the military has been discussed, and is an option. Both parents come from families with many generations of military service, including the current one.
I have a new step-son, a young man of 18, recently graduated from high school (without distinction). While bright, technically and mechanically inclined, as well as impressively artistic, he's not college material. He needs a job with a future, something more than washing dishes or slinging fries. He's not done well with the food service industry.
There's pretty clearly no such thing as a factory job in my patch (SE USA) any more. While I'm dubious as to the value of for-profit "job training" (ITT Tech, et. al), we are willing to pay for trade training, union dues, internship expenses, etc.
What are my options? Who will hire a high school grad with a support network, ability if required to pay for training and internship, into a job where he's got the opportunity to support himself long term? And how do I tap into that?
BTW...Yes, the military has been discussed, and is an option. Both parents come from families with many generations of military service, including the current one.
Are there any Biotech, Tech, or Computer Server related companies around? If so, being a technician can be a decent job. Technicians are needed even in R&D type facilities for test runs and what not. However, work can be seasonal and not entirely permanent.
Another option is a trade job such as an electrician, plumber, etc.
posted by Mr. Papagiorgio at 12:22 AM on June 9, 2011
Another option is a trade job such as an electrician, plumber, etc.
posted by Mr. Papagiorgio at 12:22 AM on June 9, 2011
Response by poster: @bluedaisy: Granted...problem #1
@Mr. Papagiorgio: I live in Atlanta, GA. I got all of those, in spades, but pretty much even a tech needs a 4-year degree. It's a *very* competitive market for pretty much everything from test-tube cleaners up.
I was really thinking more electrician, plumber, AC tech, etc., but what does one need to do to actually be hirable in those fields? I assume some sort of certification, but...well...then what?
Sorry if I'm being dense. College educated, high-tech, very employable and middle-aged here...I don't have a lot of real world experience to share with him.
posted by kjs3 at 12:32 AM on June 9, 2011
@Mr. Papagiorgio: I live in Atlanta, GA. I got all of those, in spades, but pretty much even a tech needs a 4-year degree. It's a *very* competitive market for pretty much everything from test-tube cleaners up.
I was really thinking more electrician, plumber, AC tech, etc., but what does one need to do to actually be hirable in those fields? I assume some sort of certification, but...well...then what?
Sorry if I'm being dense. College educated, high-tech, very employable and middle-aged here...I don't have a lot of real world experience to share with him.
posted by kjs3 at 12:32 AM on June 9, 2011
I wasn't trying to be snarky! I seriously wondered if he has some interests. Are there any particular house chores or projects he likes or is especially good at?
You might browse the local community college catalog. Some programs will probably be general studies for college transfer, but they will probably also have some very specific job training programs that lead to certification.
The way I know that folks get into trades is through family or friends of family. Do you have any family friends who might take him on for the summer for minimum wage, so he can get some experience and see if something might interest him?
posted by bluedaisy at 12:44 AM on June 9, 2011
You might browse the local community college catalog. Some programs will probably be general studies for college transfer, but they will probably also have some very specific job training programs that lead to certification.
The way I know that folks get into trades is through family or friends of family. Do you have any family friends who might take him on for the summer for minimum wage, so he can get some experience and see if something might interest him?
posted by bluedaisy at 12:44 AM on June 9, 2011
I forgot to mention that a lot of young people have very little understanding of professionalism and business culture.
-Reading a good management or business type book will help a lot for a beginner. Even if he doesn't want to be a manager, knowing how they think (or should) is helpful. I'm not exactly sure on what books to recommend, maybe someone else can help but some ideas are:
Making a Difference: Twelve Qualities That Make You a Leader
Just Promoted! A 12-Month Road Map for Success in Your New Leadership Role, Second Edition
First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently
-Also, being exposed to a parent or adult who works in a professional environment will help rub off some of their knowledge onto him.
-Or perhaps having a business mentor to talk to and ask questions.
A good place to look up information is the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For example, here is their page on Electricians.
I honestly think your underestimating the technician option. Granted the job market isn't the best, but most companies are looking for someone reliable, hard working, and willing to ask for help. I strongly suggest going to a good temp or staffing agency, and being a bit firm on not wanting lame job after he has had an initial job or two.
posted by Mr. Papagiorgio at 12:44 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
-Reading a good management or business type book will help a lot for a beginner. Even if he doesn't want to be a manager, knowing how they think (or should) is helpful. I'm not exactly sure on what books to recommend, maybe someone else can help but some ideas are:
Making a Difference: Twelve Qualities That Make You a Leader
Just Promoted! A 12-Month Road Map for Success in Your New Leadership Role, Second Edition
First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently
-Also, being exposed to a parent or adult who works in a professional environment will help rub off some of their knowledge onto him.
-Or perhaps having a business mentor to talk to and ask questions.
A good place to look up information is the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For example, here is their page on Electricians.
I honestly think your underestimating the technician option. Granted the job market isn't the best, but most companies are looking for someone reliable, hard working, and willing to ask for help. I strongly suggest going to a good temp or staffing agency, and being a bit firm on not wanting lame job after he has had an initial job or two.
posted by Mr. Papagiorgio at 12:44 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Ack! Sorry for all the posts, but stuff comes to me at differing times (especially after I hit submit)!
You should have him take a career assessment test from the local Community College's Career or Counseling office. Also, see this thread for ideas.
Another random thought is a job in the medical field since that is, and will be a big industry. Physical therapist assistant, home care person, etc. Again the Occupational Outlook Handbook seems handy in this area.
posted by Mr. Papagiorgio at 12:59 AM on June 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
You should have him take a career assessment test from the local Community College's Career or Counseling office. Also, see this thread for ideas.
Another random thought is a job in the medical field since that is, and will be a big industry. Physical therapist assistant, home care person, etc. Again the Occupational Outlook Handbook seems handy in this area.
posted by Mr. Papagiorgio at 12:59 AM on June 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
Check out Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People It's got a lot of different careers covered in detail, and would be a good place to start narrowing things down by skills/interest.
Also look into job shadowing, environmental corps (usually summer outdoor crews in state parks), high school internship programs, volunteering.
I knew of someone who became a mechanic out of high school with no formal training. From what I remember he hung around an auto shop (through friends who worked there) just learning/helping for a while until they hired him. Have your stepson and support network ask around and see if any opportunities for possible training/work experiences exist. With the economy it might be hard for an 18yo to land a job but having experience will definitely help him in whatever he ends up doing.
posted by everyday_naturalist at 1:15 AM on June 9, 2011
Also look into job shadowing, environmental corps (usually summer outdoor crews in state parks), high school internship programs, volunteering.
I knew of someone who became a mechanic out of high school with no formal training. From what I remember he hung around an auto shop (through friends who worked there) just learning/helping for a while until they hired him. Have your stepson and support network ask around and see if any opportunities for possible training/work experiences exist. With the economy it might be hard for an 18yo to land a job but having experience will definitely help him in whatever he ends up doing.
posted by everyday_naturalist at 1:15 AM on June 9, 2011
In Australia, you get an apprentiship or a traineeship - where you get a job, maybe do a few classes at a community college, about that job and get paid whilst learning on the job. This is how people become electricians, car mechanics, carpenters, hair dressers, plumbers, etc.
How does this work in the USA?
Also, sit down with a piece of paper (or have trusted "cool" adult do this) and brainstorm and dream. What does he want to do? What sort of things interest him? Don't be stuck looking for the correct job title, but let him get creative and really think about what he wants.
He's probably just fresh out of school, right? and is probably wanting some slack for some vacation time. But a deadline might be helpful, setting a date when he is no longer able to be a bum.
I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that when I finish my university degree, I'll not have anything "coming up next" after 12 years of schooling, then university. I can understand the need to process the end of highschool a bit, before being launched into "being an adult" which college kids seem to be able to ease into a bit.
posted by titanium_geek at 1:18 AM on June 9, 2011
How does this work in the USA?
Also, sit down with a piece of paper (or have trusted "cool" adult do this) and brainstorm and dream. What does he want to do? What sort of things interest him? Don't be stuck looking for the correct job title, but let him get creative and really think about what he wants.
He's probably just fresh out of school, right? and is probably wanting some slack for some vacation time. But a deadline might be helpful, setting a date when he is no longer able to be a bum.
I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that when I finish my university degree, I'll not have anything "coming up next" after 12 years of schooling, then university. I can understand the need to process the end of highschool a bit, before being launched into "being an adult" which college kids seem to be able to ease into a bit.
posted by titanium_geek at 1:18 AM on June 9, 2011
If his objections to food services does not rest on an aversion to hard work but are because the employees are poorly paid and often treated poorly, as well, then he's a good candidate for trying to get a foot in the door to learn a craft. I would encourage an artistic but hard working candidate to apprentice to an antique furniture repair and restoration shop, a decorative plasterer, a cabinet maker, a brick mason, a specialty grower, etc. If he likes being alone and is a very responsible driver, he might consider becoming a truck driver. It is a bit harder than it looks and pays a little better than you'd think.
The most difficult and artistic crafts are well compensated. When talent as well as skill is required as it is, for example, of a manual piano tuner vs. a mechanical tuner, or a restorer vs. a repairer, there is always a demand for the higher quality work and one can be self-employed. All these jobs require putting in the time to master the craft and starting for relatively low wages. If he can find some such work that he is drawn to, he just needs to be willing to put in the time to learn the trade and work very hard to build his skills. When he has mastered them, he can strike out on his own.
I'd advise him to look around for something he likes and then see what kind of work is associated with creating that thing. I know a lawyer who should have been a soccer coach. Finding what you love to do is very important, sometimes it's more important than a college education.
posted by Anitanola at 1:19 AM on June 9, 2011
The most difficult and artistic crafts are well compensated. When talent as well as skill is required as it is, for example, of a manual piano tuner vs. a mechanical tuner, or a restorer vs. a repairer, there is always a demand for the higher quality work and one can be self-employed. All these jobs require putting in the time to master the craft and starting for relatively low wages. If he can find some such work that he is drawn to, he just needs to be willing to put in the time to learn the trade and work very hard to build his skills. When he has mastered them, he can strike out on his own.
I'd advise him to look around for something he likes and then see what kind of work is associated with creating that thing. I know a lawyer who should have been a soccer coach. Finding what you love to do is very important, sometimes it's more important than a college education.
posted by Anitanola at 1:19 AM on June 9, 2011
Consider visiting a local unemployment office. They should be able to recommend a good career center in town - one not likely to be associated with a local college or university and which would hence have more information about the local trade and labor markets. The sort of place that runs job workshops for people who's UI benefits are being threatened by their failure to look for new work.
Then, visit that center! They will be much friendlier to someone who wasn't "forced" to go there by the UI office. Ask them where the best training for welding is, whether that truck driving school is legit, what construction sites have entry level openings, etc, etc. At the absolute least it will expose you and him to a wider menu of possible vocations to consider.
posted by ceribus peribus at 1:20 AM on June 9, 2011
Then, visit that center! They will be much friendlier to someone who wasn't "forced" to go there by the UI office. Ask them where the best training for welding is, whether that truck driving school is legit, what construction sites have entry level openings, etc, etc. At the absolute least it will expose you and him to a wider menu of possible vocations to consider.
posted by ceribus peribus at 1:20 AM on June 9, 2011
Oh, and I forgot to add a word of caution about for profit 'trade' schools. Often they claim to teach easily employable trades (culinary arts, art school, computer skills, for example) but often leave their students under mountains of unpayable school debt and not necessarily any more employable than when they started. There are still some okay schools, just do your research thoroughly before considering any of these for profit schools.
posted by everyday_naturalist at 1:35 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by everyday_naturalist at 1:35 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Literally last week, I was telling someone that if I had a child with no interest in college, I'd send them to a trade school to be a mechanic, plumber, or electrician because the pay is OK, people basically don't know how to do this stuff themselves anymore, most households are two-income which means short on time, and we have an aging population that will be less physically able to do these types of work for themselves. I believe ITT is very reputable, but I have no first-hand knowledge of it. So having said that...
How would he like a commission-based sales job? He would need your financial support while he learns how to do the work and gets a few commissions under his belt, but there are plenty of people who make a nice living at car dealerships, insurance agencies, realtor offices, selling roofing, travel agencies. Some of this type of work requires certifications or licensing (like, realtors for example), but not all.
Or, he could get into medical records starting as a clerk and moving his way up by taking some classes in medical terminology and getting some certifications.
If he could be business-savvy (he'd need your help here, because at 18 he's probably not there yet), he could open and run his own little business. For example, I know someone who started a business by knowing someone else who knew of a good deal for merchandise from a manufacturing plant in China. A warehouse, a website, some advertising, and they were soon receiving these products from China and reselling them across the US.
The simplyhired.com website allows you to refine search results by education. So, he could search for the area with no other qualifiers, narrow the results by education, and then look through to get more ideas. For example, your area + high school education + full time work gets this. Fiddling with the results and looking at the postings could tell you more about what's needed for trade positions such as electrician, plumber, mechanic, and so on.
posted by Houstonian at 1:49 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
How would he like a commission-based sales job? He would need your financial support while he learns how to do the work and gets a few commissions under his belt, but there are plenty of people who make a nice living at car dealerships, insurance agencies, realtor offices, selling roofing, travel agencies. Some of this type of work requires certifications or licensing (like, realtors for example), but not all.
Or, he could get into medical records starting as a clerk and moving his way up by taking some classes in medical terminology and getting some certifications.
If he could be business-savvy (he'd need your help here, because at 18 he's probably not there yet), he could open and run his own little business. For example, I know someone who started a business by knowing someone else who knew of a good deal for merchandise from a manufacturing plant in China. A warehouse, a website, some advertising, and they were soon receiving these products from China and reselling them across the US.
The simplyhired.com website allows you to refine search results by education. So, he could search for the area with no other qualifiers, narrow the results by education, and then look through to get more ideas. For example, your area + high school education + full time work gets this. Fiddling with the results and looking at the postings could tell you more about what's needed for trade positions such as electrician, plumber, mechanic, and so on.
posted by Houstonian at 1:49 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Trades, sports - he needs to network and shadow with people already in those jobs. Provided he can work hard, not complain, be presentable, show up on time, and not show up to work stoned he will be set for life.
posted by mleigh at 2:00 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by mleigh at 2:00 AM on June 9, 2011
College educated, high-tech, very employable and middle-aged here...I don't have a lot of real world experience to share with him.
You know what might work? Informational interviews. You are not in his position, but you are surrounded by people who are. Talk with these people, and ask if you could bring your son around for a quick chat about what they do, how they feel about their job and its future stability, and so on.
For example, in my office the administrative assistant has been running our floor for several years, moving up the ranks from clerk. Her husband is in construction, and he's currently working a great job preparing our beaches for the next hurricane. My mechanic learned his trade from his dad, did a few years at WalMart, and now manages his own shop. The guy who fixes my sprinkler system runs his own business, after leaving the world of computers. Every single one of these people have great opinions about their work and career, would love to talk to a young person and help guide them. Your son could prepare a few general questions with your help, and he'll need you to make the connections/introductions.
posted by Houstonian at 2:05 AM on June 9, 2011 [4 favorites]
You know what might work? Informational interviews. You are not in his position, but you are surrounded by people who are. Talk with these people, and ask if you could bring your son around for a quick chat about what they do, how they feel about their job and its future stability, and so on.
For example, in my office the administrative assistant has been running our floor for several years, moving up the ranks from clerk. Her husband is in construction, and he's currently working a great job preparing our beaches for the next hurricane. My mechanic learned his trade from his dad, did a few years at WalMart, and now manages his own shop. The guy who fixes my sprinkler system runs his own business, after leaving the world of computers. Every single one of these people have great opinions about their work and career, would love to talk to a young person and help guide them. Your son could prepare a few general questions with your help, and he'll need you to make the connections/introductions.
posted by Houstonian at 2:05 AM on June 9, 2011 [4 favorites]
Car maintenance. Fits the bill on mechanical aptitude, has a brief pathway to entry, pays well, will be in demand, is simple enough for an 18 y.o. to comprehend, and provides portable self-employment possibilities for down the road a few years.
Barring that, if he's up for a 2 year electronics/tech degree he can do field service. Perfect for the young and restless.
If he likes to climb things, he can always be a tower tech! Lots of bulbs to change out there and antenna wires to connect. Pays well, is insane, and is so risky only a 20-something is crazy enough to do it! Those blinking red bulbs at the top of a 3,000 foot tower don't last forever.
Lots of options. Some of the trades have pretty uncomfortable aspects.
posted by FauxScot at 3:27 AM on June 9, 2011
Barring that, if he's up for a 2 year electronics/tech degree he can do field service. Perfect for the young and restless.
If he likes to climb things, he can always be a tower tech! Lots of bulbs to change out there and antenna wires to connect. Pays well, is insane, and is so risky only a 20-something is crazy enough to do it! Those blinking red bulbs at the top of a 3,000 foot tower don't last forever.
Lots of options. Some of the trades have pretty uncomfortable aspects.
posted by FauxScot at 3:27 AM on June 9, 2011
I'd vote for mechanic/similar. It's not bad work if you like problem solving, most of it these days is removing sub-assemblies and replacing them rather than endless trouble-shooting.
A friend of mine brought his nephew into his classic car restoration business...that kid is going to be set for life. He's about five years into it now and already is pretty skilled.
Downside to mechanic is that you're generally expected to bring your own tools, and that's not an inconsiderable expense.
Barring that, the plumbing and electrical trades are well-paid and in-demand.
Another area which wouldn't require formal training would be a "helpdesk for households" business. Skills needed would be windows trouble-shooting, home networking, etc...and most importantly, a great deal of patience and good communication skills.
posted by maxwelton at 3:44 AM on June 9, 2011
A friend of mine brought his nephew into his classic car restoration business...that kid is going to be set for life. He's about five years into it now and already is pretty skilled.
Downside to mechanic is that you're generally expected to bring your own tools, and that's not an inconsiderable expense.
Barring that, the plumbing and electrical trades are well-paid and in-demand.
Another area which wouldn't require formal training would be a "helpdesk for households" business. Skills needed would be windows trouble-shooting, home networking, etc...and most importantly, a great deal of patience and good communication skills.
posted by maxwelton at 3:44 AM on June 9, 2011
Ok, one more idea: He could move to North Dakota, as they have a huge need for workers. The price of oil is causing a boom there. In the oil industry himself, he could hire himself out on a rig (job descriptions here), and work his way up that hierarchy as he learns more and gains skills. The work is hard, but the pay is good. In his lifetime, we will move away from petroleum, but we will always have sources of energy and a need for people to make those machines work. As energy companies move away from oil and gas to other sources of energy, their workforce will follow them through the transition.
posted by Houstonian at 3:48 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Houstonian at 3:48 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
(Oh, and oil companies will send him to training.)
posted by Houstonian at 3:50 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by Houstonian at 3:50 AM on June 9, 2011
Nthing the idea of getting into the trades in some form or another. There's more out there than just plumbing and electricians and carpentry--for example, operating engineers/HVAC/boiler operators, etc. For the bright and mechanically inclined, there's the opportunity for diagonal movement from these fields into things like building automation and control systems.
posted by SomeTrickPony at 4:19 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by SomeTrickPony at 4:19 AM on June 9, 2011
Many unions have apprenticeship programs that allow trainees to work while getting their certifications. Although these look like "just" plumbing and electricians and carpentry, there's a lot of skilled work going on--HVAC work is done by plumbers and steamfitters unions, electricians work on commercial buildings and lay lines for networks. To get you started, here's your local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Carpenters, and Painters.
posted by mchorn at 4:29 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by mchorn at 4:29 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
The foreseeable future of North American employment lies in skilled services that need to be provide locally - that's why the trades (plumbing, electrical) are coming up so often in the thread. happily, they also have an apprenticeship tradition to welcome newcomers like your son.
However, there's also a strong likelihood that your stepson will have 3 or 4 "careers" over his working life, so don't fret too much about the long term promise of what he does first.
The unposted job market is also still the biggest - he'll probably have to tell his network that he's looking for a job and talk to people through the magic "information interview" to find something.
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 4:49 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
However, there's also a strong likelihood that your stepson will have 3 or 4 "careers" over his working life, so don't fret too much about the long term promise of what he does first.
The unposted job market is also still the biggest - he'll probably have to tell his network that he's looking for a job and talk to people through the magic "information interview" to find something.
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 4:49 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
There is a massive shortage of skilled tradesman in the country. Being an electrician or a plumber will be guaranteed work, as the older generation of master craftsmen retire, and no one replaces them.
Many electrical contracting firms are struggling today with smart home technology and audio-visual stuff. They need guys who have electrical skills and also basic computer skills.
Trade school will help to learn about electricity - but the best way is to be out in the field.
It might be hard to get a job as an apprentice electrician right now - but it is a growth area. A successful business in the future could be just home entertainment set-up and smart home tech.
posted by Flood at 5:12 AM on June 9, 2011
Many electrical contracting firms are struggling today with smart home technology and audio-visual stuff. They need guys who have electrical skills and also basic computer skills.
Trade school will help to learn about electricity - but the best way is to be out in the field.
It might be hard to get a job as an apprentice electrician right now - but it is a growth area. A successful business in the future could be just home entertainment set-up and smart home tech.
posted by Flood at 5:12 AM on June 9, 2011
If he is artistic, he might consider doing a graphic design program at a community college. I worked for a woman who had an Associates in Design and she has had a decent career as an artist for screen printing shops designing tee shirts and preparing designs for press. She started her own print shop for a while. Even being a press operator would be good. The pay is not bad, there is the opportunity to be creative and people will always need tee shirts. He also has a good chance of being hired at a shop with no experience to wash screens, fold shirts, etc.
posted by rachums at 5:20 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by rachums at 5:20 AM on June 9, 2011
A relative in a similar situation, artistic, mechanically inclined, not interested in college and in the Atlanta area, has been very successful in machining, in particular tool and die work. His talents transferred very easily to learning CAD, and he genuinely enjoys his work.
posted by hydropsyche at 5:23 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by hydropsyche at 5:23 AM on June 9, 2011
My local community college (which is public, so the tuition is very, very reasonable) has a group of very good admissions counselors. They have years of experience of sitting down with a clueless 18 year old, or a depressed and newly laid-off 50 year old, and helping them figure out where their aptitudes, interests, and the area's career options intersect. I would assume that in a place the size of Atlanta, you would have at least a couple of vocationally-focused community colleges that would offer the same service.
And speaking for my area only (which is a long way from Atlanta), people with a two year degree in a trade (eg HVAC, etc) and who are smart and willing to work hard do just fine, with starting salaries often high enough to support a family (albeit modestly). But if the kid isn't ready to be self-motivating and work hard, a technical degree won't fix that.
posted by Forktine at 5:50 AM on June 9, 2011
And speaking for my area only (which is a long way from Atlanta), people with a two year degree in a trade (eg HVAC, etc) and who are smart and willing to work hard do just fine, with starting salaries often high enough to support a family (albeit modestly). But if the kid isn't ready to be self-motivating and work hard, a technical degree won't fix that.
posted by Forktine at 5:50 AM on June 9, 2011
Nthing trades. One of the easiest ways to get there would be to hunt craigslist, if that's an option, for gigs as a helper/laborer for one of the skilled trades. Think pulling and cleaning up shingles instead of roofing, moving bricks or cinderblocks, sweating pipes, etc. If he proves that he works hard and doesn't cut corners doing the grunt work, he should be able to form an apprentice relationship with the guys doing the more skilled end of things.
When I was out of work my first summer in college I picked up roofing for a bit when our house was getting re-shingled. I didn't want it to be my life's work very bad, but it was a pretty good gig.
posted by craven_morhead at 5:59 AM on June 9, 2011
When I was out of work my first summer in college I picked up roofing for a bit when our house was getting re-shingled. I didn't want it to be my life's work very bad, but it was a pretty good gig.
posted by craven_morhead at 5:59 AM on June 9, 2011
Why is washing dishes so bad?! I would recommend he go into a nice restaurant (which atlanta has spades of) and ask for a prep cook job or a dishwasher job.
Cooking is one of the best jobs there is. Physically demanding, rigorous, immediate deadlines, improvisation, hard work, low pay, but an amazing sense of community/family and camaraderie.
Culinary classes should be available at the local community college as well.
posted by TheBones at 6:09 AM on June 9, 2011
Cooking is one of the best jobs there is. Physically demanding, rigorous, immediate deadlines, improvisation, hard work, low pay, but an amazing sense of community/family and camaraderie.
Culinary classes should be available at the local community college as well.
posted by TheBones at 6:09 AM on June 9, 2011
Have him find a local farmer, farmer's market, vegetable distributor:
http://www.localharvest.org/
I'm sure if he hangs out at a farmer's market, contacts farms, etc. he can find someone from whom to learn the trade. It sounds like he has a safety net at home and can afford to work for a period for little/nothing.
The demand for fresh, local produce won't get any smaller in the future.
Or on the other end, culinary.
posted by gracchus at 6:24 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
http://www.localharvest.org/
I'm sure if he hangs out at a farmer's market, contacts farms, etc. he can find someone from whom to learn the trade. It sounds like he has a safety net at home and can afford to work for a period for little/nothing.
The demand for fresh, local produce won't get any smaller in the future.
Or on the other end, culinary.
posted by gracchus at 6:24 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
My youngest brother and step-brother both dropped out of college after a year to work in the oilfields offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. That's pretty much what people do where we grew up, unless they're total bookworms, and both of them got these sorts of jobs through friends and family connections (which isn't hard when, as I said, almost everyone where I grew up has some connection to the oil industry).
Also, there's the military.
posted by Sara C. at 6:28 AM on June 9, 2011
Also, there's the military.
posted by Sara C. at 6:28 AM on June 9, 2011
As I understand it, he could join a local fire department as a junior guy (maybe a small town's volunteer crew), and then get trained there. Here in RI a lot of the guys get a community college degree in Fire Science as they go along, and the department should pay for a lot of it.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:31 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by wenestvedt at 6:31 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Would he be interested in learning tile-setting? It can be a very interesting job once you know what you're doing, and it requires some artistic sensibility. I'm not sure how he'd get started with this, but maybe you have a bathroom that needs re-tiling that he could practice on to see if it appeals. Then he could just call around to local tile contractors.
posted by mareli at 6:34 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by mareli at 6:34 AM on June 9, 2011
Here's your local public community college. The other possibility that just occurred to me is that he could learn to install solar hot water heaters and panels. I live in Georgia too and think it's crazy that there aren't more of them.
posted by mareli at 6:44 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by mareli at 6:44 AM on June 9, 2011
Is he completely averse to any form of schooling? Because he's really going to need to go to some kind of trade school or educational program thingie one way or another if he wants out of food service for life. I think that junior college link looks very promising for educational programs that don't involve a 4-year degree, so I'd recommend he look into that.
(I say this because I had an ex who just couldn't stand any kind of schooling. Things did not go well for him in life. If your kid here can't stand school, his options are gonna be limited.)
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:12 AM on June 9, 2011
(I say this because I had an ex who just couldn't stand any kind of schooling. Things did not go well for him in life. If your kid here can't stand school, his options are gonna be limited.)
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:12 AM on June 9, 2011
My younger brother sounds like your step-son - not traditionally "academic," but artistic and mechanically inclined. He became a chef right out of high school.
Being a chef was great for him. He moved up to Michelin starred kitchens within a few years, and found the discipline of the kitchen helpful in growing more mature.
I'm a high school teacher, and a major problem with the current set-up of education is that those skilled trade pathways that don't require a college degree are few and far between, and tend to be hard to get into. A lot of times, there's an ROP/trade program run through community colleges (usually auto maintenance, welding, electrician, etc.). Check those out.
posted by guster4lovers at 8:43 AM on June 9, 2011
Being a chef was great for him. He moved up to Michelin starred kitchens within a few years, and found the discipline of the kitchen helpful in growing more mature.
I'm a high school teacher, and a major problem with the current set-up of education is that those skilled trade pathways that don't require a college degree are few and far between, and tend to be hard to get into. A lot of times, there's an ROP/trade program run through community colleges (usually auto maintenance, welding, electrician, etc.). Check those out.
posted by guster4lovers at 8:43 AM on June 9, 2011
nthing community college. It's cheap and very oriented toward people who are focused on learning skills to help them in the working world. Also (if he has no experience with college) you might point out that community college != high school. You are treated like an adult. It's much more like having a job. You know, show up on time, take responsibility for your work, and so forth.
Also on the trades-- I have a friend who is a plumber (in North Carolina) who used to teach a basic plumbing class at the local community college. She often would offer entry-level jobs to the students if they showed some aptitude/effort in her class. According to her it was hard to find young people who were interested in the field and willing to put in the work. Plumbers and other tradespeople in your area may be happy to take on a helper at minimum wage and see whether he's a good candidate for an apprentice.
posted by tuesdayschild at 8:45 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also on the trades-- I have a friend who is a plumber (in North Carolina) who used to teach a basic plumbing class at the local community college. She often would offer entry-level jobs to the students if they showed some aptitude/effort in her class. According to her it was hard to find young people who were interested in the field and willing to put in the work. Plumbers and other tradespeople in your area may be happy to take on a helper at minimum wage and see whether he's a good candidate for an apprentice.
posted by tuesdayschild at 8:45 AM on June 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
You might want to look into aptitude testing. When I was a kid, and this was probably 30 years ago, I went to Johnson O’Connor for aptitude testing. They tell you what kinds of jobs you would be good at and enjoy. They also tell you areas where you might struggle. I don’t really recall them discouraging me from trying anything, but they did tell me what I would find challenging or boring about a few of the different careers I was interested in at the time. I enjoyed the testing and still recall some of the jobs they mentioned. The thing I liked about it was they suggested careers I had never even thought of or considered. I see they have offices in Atlanta. I imagine there are other similar services available, maybe even web-based.
posted by iscavenger at 9:47 AM on June 9, 2011
posted by iscavenger at 9:47 AM on June 9, 2011
I'd send them to a trade school to be a mechanic, plumber, or electrician because the pay is OK
"OK" is an understatement. My electrician friend makes $100K+ (of course, he works crazy hours, but some people like that).
I make a good living now, but it took a very long time to get here. If I could do it again, I'd learn a trade. Maybe HVAC repair, since NOT knowing that has cost me a small fortune recently.
posted by coolguymichael at 11:53 AM on June 9, 2011
"OK" is an understatement. My electrician friend makes $100K+ (of course, he works crazy hours, but some people like that).
I make a good living now, but it took a very long time to get here. If I could do it again, I'd learn a trade. Maybe HVAC repair, since NOT knowing that has cost me a small fortune recently.
posted by coolguymichael at 11:53 AM on June 9, 2011
« Older Dress code violation that wasn't a violation... | Project Gutenberg nightmare, help! Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bluedaisy at 12:20 AM on June 9, 2011 [5 favorites]