Opportunities for unemployed to get new life experience
February 7, 2012 6:13 PM Subscribe
A friend of my son's is living in our attic. He's 21, can't find a job and I am encouraging him to look for other options. The only ones I can think of are Peace Corps or the military. What other kinds of things are there out there for a person with no ties and no education past high school? Thanks.
Before he got into a "real" college, my son worked as a counselor/minder for after school care for much younger kids. He also walked dogs, handed out flyers, delivered pizza (good money, but hard work), and a whole bunch of other jobs.
posted by Ideefixe at 6:20 PM on February 7, 2012
posted by Ideefixe at 6:20 PM on February 7, 2012
If he starts to lean towards a military option (which might be a really good path, considering his situation), I'd definitely encourage him to look at the Coast Guard. Unlike the other branches, he would likely be stationed state-side. It's a smaller branch, so there are advantages that way. He's also at the age where he'd be able to handle basic training with maturity (presumably).
posted by foxhat10 at 6:26 PM on February 7, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by foxhat10 at 6:26 PM on February 7, 2012 [2 favorites]
Trade school/apprenticeship is another good alternative. At 21 he may still be eligible for some of the youth job training programs out there, particularly if you're in a larger US city.
posted by SMPA at 6:28 PM on February 7, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by SMPA at 6:28 PM on February 7, 2012 [3 favorites]
Being a summer camp counsellor gives him a place to live and a job. If he doesn't want to work directly with kids there may be other jobs at the camp like cook.
What does he want to do? If he is cerebral sending him somewhere like the Alberta oil fields wouldn't work out sell, if he is more physical a suggestion like having him work at a recreation colonial themepark wouldn't work either.
posted by saucysault at 6:32 PM on February 7, 2012
What does he want to do? If he is cerebral sending him somewhere like the Alberta oil fields wouldn't work out sell, if he is more physical a suggestion like having him work at a recreation colonial themepark wouldn't work either.
posted by saucysault at 6:32 PM on February 7, 2012
*well, not sell. I hate autocorrect when it is wrong
posted by saucysault at 6:33 PM on February 7, 2012
posted by saucysault at 6:33 PM on February 7, 2012
If he's into the outdoors, he could be a forest firefighter, or could work as an instructor for Outward Bound.
If he's open to some college work or formal education, he could take some community college classes, see what interests him, and then transfer to a university. (Or graduate from the community college.)
posted by shortyJBot at 6:34 PM on February 7, 2012
If he's open to some college work or formal education, he could take some community college classes, see what interests him, and then transfer to a university. (Or graduate from the community college.)
posted by shortyJBot at 6:34 PM on February 7, 2012
There is also seasonal work in the tourist industry and for some state/national parks. Some jobs offer a dorm-type setting with paid room and board, spending money, and perks like free rental of outdoor gear (kayaks, camping equipement, etc.).
posted by shortyJBot at 6:35 PM on February 7, 2012
posted by shortyJBot at 6:35 PM on February 7, 2012
I absolutely second the idea to look into Americorps positions. You do not have to have a college degree to participate in the programs, and they are a really great way to gain real life job experience. It looks good on resumes AND college applications. Plus, for someone waffling and unsure of what to do next, sometimes doing service work or being exposed to others in difficult conditions can be very meaning-building.
The friend may have to apply to multiple programs in order to find one thats a good fit. He could check out Americorps State & National, N*CCC, City Year, etc. Some of these programs even offer housing.
It is difficult to do some Americorps programs without any savings whatsoever or any backings from parents. For instance, I did a local state & national program. It was a very challenging year--and keep in mind, I did make sacrifices, including no a/c, a teeny tiny room, no doctors appointments, no car repairs, etc.--but I ended up getting hired on as full-time staff at my site after I completed my service year. The main way I was able to manage this was because my parents paid for my auto insurance. Some programs, though, will not require you to have a car or even pay for housing. Its doable if you're deliberate and willing.
Americorps isn't the most organized, "with it" organization in the world. Programs can vary. But, let me say, when I was lost and in a similar situation, it really was what I needed to get out into the world, build skillls, and gain experience. PLUS I didn't have to move back home.
His mileage may vary!
posted by soundproof at 6:37 PM on February 7, 2012 [5 favorites]
The friend may have to apply to multiple programs in order to find one thats a good fit. He could check out Americorps State & National, N*CCC, City Year, etc. Some of these programs even offer housing.
It is difficult to do some Americorps programs without any savings whatsoever or any backings from parents. For instance, I did a local state & national program. It was a very challenging year--and keep in mind, I did make sacrifices, including no a/c, a teeny tiny room, no doctors appointments, no car repairs, etc.--but I ended up getting hired on as full-time staff at my site after I completed my service year. The main way I was able to manage this was because my parents paid for my auto insurance. Some programs, though, will not require you to have a car or even pay for housing. Its doable if you're deliberate and willing.
Americorps isn't the most organized, "with it" organization in the world. Programs can vary. But, let me say, when I was lost and in a similar situation, it really was what I needed to get out into the world, build skillls, and gain experience. PLUS I didn't have to move back home.
His mileage may vary!
posted by soundproof at 6:37 PM on February 7, 2012 [5 favorites]
I once spent my first post-college summer working as a maintenance guy at a Girl Scout camp. That was a good experience - it covered room, board, put some money in my pocket, and kept me (mostly) out of trouble.
If there is a Scout camp (whether Boy or Girl) in your area, that's one more thing he could look for. They didn't really expect anything in terms of prior knowledge, just a decent work ethic.
posted by AMSBoethius at 6:38 PM on February 7, 2012
If there is a Scout camp (whether Boy or Girl) in your area, that's one more thing he could look for. They didn't really expect anything in terms of prior knowledge, just a decent work ethic.
posted by AMSBoethius at 6:38 PM on February 7, 2012
There was another question a few days ago that made me look up Job Corps, and that may be an option for him; he's at least within the age range.
posted by lemniskate at 6:40 PM on February 7, 2012
posted by lemniskate at 6:40 PM on February 7, 2012
Why not an internship, especially if you can help support him on little or no pay.
posted by Toekneesan at 6:51 PM on February 7, 2012
posted by Toekneesan at 6:51 PM on February 7, 2012
I just wanted to recommend against someone who's not really into the idea of military service actually joining up. If you're not motivated to be there, even something so laid-back as training can be utterly miserable. Deployments can stress even the most dedicated and motivated people. 12+ months in some appropriated mud hut or hesco+plywood shack with no showers, eating horrible warehoused food, and getting shot at occasionally is no joke. There are also ethical considerations that may or may not be troublesome for him.
I do sort of wonder how broad his search has been. Has actually thought of or researched individual employers and looked them up to apply? Does he apply at places like Starbucks, and if so does he ever go to local places and check with the individual store managers? Has he applied to be a bank teller or security guard or signed up with any temp agencies or at a home depot, does he check the local craigslist help wanted section daily, so on and so forth. It is tough right now, and a lot of jobs are crap, but my boyfriend never actually finished his undergrad and has never been unemployed for longer than about a week.
posted by kavasa at 6:54 PM on February 7, 2012 [5 favorites]
I do sort of wonder how broad his search has been. Has actually thought of or researched individual employers and looked them up to apply? Does he apply at places like Starbucks, and if so does he ever go to local places and check with the individual store managers? Has he applied to be a bank teller or security guard or signed up with any temp agencies or at a home depot, does he check the local craigslist help wanted section daily, so on and so forth. It is tough right now, and a lot of jobs are crap, but my boyfriend never actually finished his undergrad and has never been unemployed for longer than about a week.
posted by kavasa at 6:54 PM on February 7, 2012 [5 favorites]
If scholastic education is not his thing but he's generally together otherwise, an apprenticeship in the trades could be excellent. People always need plumbers, and to a lesser extent electricians, carpenters, machinists and large-engine mechanics.
My state has a listing of apprenticeship opportunities that I found by googling "STATE NAME apprenticeship" with further instructions for how to get started.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 6:56 PM on February 7, 2012
My state has a listing of apprenticeship opportunities that I found by googling "STATE NAME apprenticeship" with further instructions for how to get started.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 6:56 PM on February 7, 2012
If he is outdoorsy and has any experience as a park guide or in the realm of forestry or wild life management might be able to get a job as a park ranger at one of the National Parks. I say might because they prefer a B.A., but they do list experiences that can fulfill/substitute for that requirement. Go to USAjobs and type in Park Ranger to see what's available. Because it's a government job and the hiring process takes awhile, they're probably starting the process of hiring seasonal jobs about now.
posted by kaybdc at 7:08 PM on February 7, 2012
posted by kaybdc at 7:08 PM on February 7, 2012
If he wants seasonal or outdoor work, he might want to check out Cool Works. A friend got a job as a trip leader/tour guide which entailed driving cross country with a van full of tourists, camping, seeing sites and hiking. I don't think he needed a college degree.
posted by biscuits at 7:24 PM on February 7, 2012
posted by biscuits at 7:24 PM on February 7, 2012
How much gumption and self-motivation does he have? If he has a lot, and he's done some interesting things with his life so far, even without a BA he might have a shot at the Peace Corps. But if he's more of a sit-around kind of guy who is waiting for opportunity to come to him, almost none of the suggestions people have given here will work.
I mean, if he wants to have some good stories later and isn't afraid of hard work and low pay, all those farmers hiring temporary immigrant work crews are required to advertise and offer the work to US citizens, but I'll bet $10 of hard cash that your attic is a far more attractive option. The point being, unless he has some internal motivation, outside suggestions may not count for much, and his current situation may not be all that awful.
The military has long been a solution for guys in his situation, but I've also known guys who get themselves into trouble that follows them for the rest of their lives by fucking up and getting a dishonorable discharge. That path also requires a certain level of commitment and ability to rise to the challenge.
posted by Forktine at 7:43 PM on February 7, 2012 [3 favorites]
I mean, if he wants to have some good stories later and isn't afraid of hard work and low pay, all those farmers hiring temporary immigrant work crews are required to advertise and offer the work to US citizens, but I'll bet $10 of hard cash that your attic is a far more attractive option. The point being, unless he has some internal motivation, outside suggestions may not count for much, and his current situation may not be all that awful.
The military has long been a solution for guys in his situation, but I've also known guys who get themselves into trouble that follows them for the rest of their lives by fucking up and getting a dishonorable discharge. That path also requires a certain level of commitment and ability to rise to the challenge.
posted by Forktine at 7:43 PM on February 7, 2012 [3 favorites]
Student Conservation Association. Hard work, but they feed you, give you housing, and provide a small stipend. Also Americorps education awards, if you opt for that. Good way to see parts of the country, and do conservation work with awesome people his age. You don't really need to be a student. There are a lot of programs out there like this, too. Google your region and conservation internships.
Also check out Backdoor Jobs
posted by shinyshiny at 8:22 PM on February 7, 2012 [1 favorite]
Also check out Backdoor Jobs
posted by shinyshiny at 8:22 PM on February 7, 2012 [1 favorite]
It would be helpful to know where you live. Since this age group is very prone to unemployment many cities have programs designed specifically for them.
I would call your city and county government and ask if such programs exist. Often there will be partnerships between the government and the private sector that can provide some good experience.
posted by munchingzombie at 9:18 PM on February 7, 2012
I would call your city and county government and ask if such programs exist. Often there will be partnerships between the government and the private sector that can provide some good experience.
posted by munchingzombie at 9:18 PM on February 7, 2012
Seconding at least investigating Job Corps. Also farm volunteering if it isn't essential that he earn wages right away. Maybe a farm volunteer gig and then a job at a summer camp or resort? Being a young person with no ties and the ability to relocate makes him a prime candidate for a live-in summer gig.
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:29 PM on February 7, 2012
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:29 PM on February 7, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by verbyournouns at 6:17 PM on February 7, 2012 [10 favorites]