new thread
First the good news. All my addiction problems are under control. I'm back in surburban michigan and it took a hell of adjustment as I had been use to NYC for 7 years.
Bad news. I'm unemployed and have not been able to find honest paying work, and I'm considering a haircut again. I still have 2 felonies on my record from 10 years ago from the state of michigan and I'm considering moving on somewhere back out west. The goal of moving out west is like the people who came before To make matters worse I don't have a driver's liscence as it was not needed in New York.
I've picked up a good work ethic and I'm good at IT.
Mainly I'm asking people from the west coast what are the opprotunities out here with someone with just a high school diploma.
Kenneth
Congratulations on your addiction recovery.....that is a huge accomplishment. Remember to keep that your number one priority as you face real life challenges now. With no recent employment, a record and no driver's license, it may take a while to land a career position, but there are many service jobs out there that will offer lots of hours while you get on your financial feet. There are many organizations that will help you in your job search. I doubt if a move West will help your odds much. As far as a haircut, that is really the least of your problems at this stage, do what you must.
Thanks for stopping by with your update. Please let us know how you make out.
Prayers are with you.
Walter White Tail
Congratulations on your recovery.
As far as employment it may be wise to move out of Michigan,
it sounds like the economy in Michigan is having alot of problems,
especially in Detroit.
As far as not having a drivers license, that may be a
huge issue if you're not in New York, or another large city.
Personally where I live it takes ten minutes to commute to work
but it takes 3-4 hours to get there by mass transit. And this
is a good sized city. .
For too many years people in the US of A chose to live an hour +
away from where they work. That was great when gas was 29 cents a
gallon, now that it is in the $4/gallon range and traffic is a nightmare that commute makes no sense. Add to that very few locations having good mass transit.
Hi Kenneth,
First of all, let me tell you also that my prayers will be with you. As an alcoholic who has been sober since March 2000, I can certainly sympathize with you. I am very happy to hear your addictions are under control.
I don't live on the West coast anymore, so can't really offer help there. But I do wish you good fortune in your life's endeavors. Please keep us updated on your life and please please stay sober my friend. Thanks for the update!
Ted
Hi Ted,
Congrats on being sober for so long!! I'm not against the use of mind-altering substances but IMO alcohol is the most dangerous of them all and can ruin lives and cause tremendous damage.
Jason
Hi Jason,
I thank you kindly! I like to think of it as being on an elevator speeding to the bottom floor. It is a matter of when to jump off and become sober. Also, it was a learning experience. I am enjoying my life just fine without the alcohol. Life is good-my job to make it what it is. I plan to stay sober for the rest of my days.
Thanks again for the kind words! Truly appreciated! Great week to you and your family!
Ted
That's a good illustration. It sounds like you're doing very well being off the elevator!
Proverbs 20:1
20 Wine makes people act in a foolish way. Strong drink starts fights. Whoever is fooled by it is not wise.
Hi Jason,
Oh yes! I have no plans to ever drink alcohol again. However, I have no problems with people who drink alcohol. Alcohol consumption is only a problem when it affects people around you and yourself negatively. As a person who used to regularly drive drunk, I have little tolerance for drunk drivers. *jumps off soap box*
I always love reading Psalms and Proverbs. A lot can be learned. Thanks again my friend!
Ted
That's great to hear that your addictions are not presenting problems for you at this point.
You may want to consider moving to a state that limits how long potential employers can check on an applicant's criminal history. I believe in Massachusetts it's 3 years for a misdemeanor and 7 years for a felony. I'm not sure if this only covers convictions in the state but it might be worth looking into.
Hi Kenneth,
I live on the west coast, and I'm 18 and work with computers.
IT is closer to managing computers, and CS is on the side of programming them and using them. If you're into fixing computers and setting them up, it's easier to stay where you are (if you live in a decently sized area) and build up business. I don't do system admin work, so I wouldn't comment on that.
As for programming/coding:
I've toyed with the idea of doing contract (freelance) work, for about 1000 apiece, taking in about 5-6 pieces of work a month. Nobody will judge you (they can't really do background checks). Unfortunately, should you go this route, be prepared to spend half of your time not doing creative work but bidding on jobs. There's also the cost of giving away your first few projects for free in order to gain reputation. The eventual goal is to gain enough relationships with some clients so that work your way out of it.
Luckily for me, my parents are pretty well off, so I'm not pressured to rake in money from programming, so I'm doing AI work on my own and plan on releasing my project come September.
Housing is incredibly expensive, and don't bother trying to live in the satellite communities. You can somewhat get away with not having a car in the Bay Area, although your choices for housing and employment will be significantly limited. Fortunately for you, if you are in relatively good shape, the weather is conducive to using a bike to connect from your home to the light rail/train and then from the light rail/train to work.
For programming, start building a portfolio, and keep a personal website in order to showcase your work. Since you don't have anything under education, things don't look that good for you, unless if you have built up a portfolio of work.
Whatever you decide next, I wish you only the best.
-Matt
I found a job that paid about as much as I made in New York but with the cheaper cost of living I'm not sure how long this will last though.
"IT" covers a lot of ground. What, specifically, is your area of expertise? Most require some sort of higher ed or industry certification, although some do not if you can prove your chops in another way.
I can only speak for New York State. There's an agency here called VESID that provides vocational training for the "disabled". Recovering addicts and alcoholics qualify as "disabled" for the purposes of the program.
One of the things that fueled my addiction was the stress of IT work. Had things gone another way, they would have paid my way in several certification programs. (I too have only a high school education, and had no certifications in any IT discipline.) I chose a different field entirely.
Above all, for the purposes of employment, you'll have to explain that nasty gap during rehab, and perhaps the fall leading to it. The correct response is, "I was dealing with a serious medical issue during which I could not work. The matter has been resolved completely and I'm ready, willing, and able to get back to work."
This is a 100% truthful and accurate response. If the thread is pursued, something along the lines of "It's a confidential medical matter" should end it, and is also 100% truthful and accurate. HIPAA is there for many reasons.
I had to explain a four-year gap in my employment. That satisfied the question. I've been with my current employer for over ten years now, and couldn't be happier.
I also remain car-free--in Upstate NY, 8 hours northwest by train from NYC. 1,520 consecutive workdays bike commuting as of today. Commuting is the other thing I do a day at a time.
Best of luck to you!
I live on "the west coast" -- in Southern California. The job market has improved somewhat but it is definitely NOT like it was prior to 2008.
I appreciate the fact you have taken stock on your life and wish to become gainfully employed but are concerned about your criminal situation. Have you ever thought about applying to the court where you were tried and file an application seeking expungement? Since your incident happened 10 years ago, I don't see why your record would not be expunged. You may wish to consult an attorney prior to your commencing this as well as finding out the cost of filing this document. If you have paid any restitution you may wish to add this to your brief. You might also want to find out how long the court keeps records before they are physically destroyed.
When you begin the application process for employment, the first thing you need to do is realize and understand that you may be rejected solely because of your criminal record. Without going into detail about the crime, you may want to add a sentence or two admitting that it happened a long time ago and you have turned your life around. It is always good to start with something positive and if you have letters of reference you can provide, that would hopefully be a step in the right direction.
We have a great public transportation system here and several light rails are being constructed. We also have excellent driving schools and I could recommend a couple to you if you are interested. Rents are high though, even with rent control. However, if you can prove financial hardship, you can work with a city or county representative to assist you in obtaining housing whatever your annual cost of living is. : First the good news. All my addiction problems are under control. I'm back in surburban michigan and it took a hell of adjustment as I had been use to NYC for 7 years.
As for jobs with only a high school diploma, be aware that most of those jobs are in retail and hospitality and they pay next to nothing and there are usually no benefits with these positions. But it is "honest paying work" and nothing to be ashamed about. I know Costo pays its employees very well as does In N Out, the burger chain. These companies also include generous benefits to its employees as well.
However, if you want to work for yourself, there is a new website that recently went up called www.taskrabbit.com. It's available only in certain cities and it costs nothing to post your profile and to have someone ask for your services. Payment is arranged through PayPal so you would never get "stiffed".
Best of luck and I hope the foregoing is of help to you.
Hi Kenneth, good to hear your doing ok, and sorry to hear about your employment situation. We have talked before but its been quite a while. As for work, I live east of Seattle, but I am there in the city a lot for business. Seattle is quite the hopping city, The economy has only slowed here slightly over the last few years but is picking up quickly where the city is back to its self building like crazy. I think for the most part, the Pacific Northwest missed out on what a lot of the country went or is going through. Portland Oregon is also a hopping place and very busy. Both are very nice cities, Portland a little more laid back and easy going. I do have friends who have worked jobs in retail or other work and then worked enough to get to school and get what they really want to do. I have a good friend now doing just that. He is a very busy guy with work and school but its working for him. I guess I would say to look into the Washington state job listings through the state, or other sources to see what's around that you can get into if your interested. If your in Seattle and depending where you work, you may or may not need a car. if your in Portland and work almost anywhere , it is easy to get around with out a car. Portland has a very good light rail system that goes every where and is one of the most bike friendly city in the country, Seattle is very good too. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. You can get me with the address I gave here or my other email is kydds@msn.com I hope your well, and take care. Steve
Hi Kenneth,
Thanks for sharing your update! I always admire anyone who has overcome their addictions, not an easy accomplishment ever; but that just makes it all the more reason to be grateful, as well as reason be proud of that amazing accomplishment. A lot of my closest friends as well as favorite dance partners have been through AA and/or NA 12-step programs; so hearing their stories of recovery from addiction has always moved me, giving me courage to improve my own self in any way that I can.
I live and work in the San Francisco Bay area, living in a tiny rent-controlled (thank goodness!) San Francisco studio apartment since '94; but working over in the East Bay not far from Oakland -- regularly commuting between the 2 points via public transportation's San Francisco MUNI buses and then also BART ("Bay Are Rapid Transit"). I sold my truck over 3 years ago now -- and even though I occasionally miss driving a vehicle, I'm actually for the most part a happier person not owning one. It would be a bit of an exaggeration to say that public transportation here in Northern Calif. is "excellent"; but in the SF Bay Area, it is at least quite helpful and for the most part "decent"... you just have to allow a heck of a lot more commute time than people who own cars have to do!
When I was young I attended college for just one year; so I only have a high school diploma, like you. But I've always worked in service industry jobs: cooking in restaurants and various kitchens, gardening / landscaping, working with kids when I still lived back in IL, and also working with the elderly in nursing homes throughout my adult life. But having a criminal record I realize is a tougher issue of course, adding a whole other dimension to finding a good job. My advise to you about that would be not to move around too much, but instead to try to get an excellent work record right where you currently are, first. I have a brother up in rural Oregon who has a criminal record, and it's been very tough for him after he got out of prison a few years ago; but he did eventually find work right in the town where he currently lives in.
I know nothing about IT work -- so unfortunately can't help you with any insightful comments there. But a lot of guys here know much more on that subject, thank goodness; so probably they will help guide you on that topic far better than I ever could.
I hope my comments have helped!
- Ken in San Francisco
Great news that you've kicked your addictions!
I used to smoke and drink quite a lot, it's a huge relief to get rid of addictions.
It's a great start to work from, it gives you a lot of positive energy which you can use for further improving you life.
Keep on looking for work and try to stay positive, although it can be hard when everything is working against you. At some point the tables will turn and you will find your place where you are happy!