Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

If you knew anything about academia or the academic study of History your opinion might carry some weight. But since you are a stranger to both, your opinion has about as much importance as a fart in a hurricane.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Ok James.

Playing Devil's advocate here : given that you seem (my perspective after reading your posts on job searching - I totally agree it's not easy) to shoot down suggestions on suitable jobs given here in answer to your questions, what sort of job does actually appeal to you, given the restrictions you mention?

(Benefits are pretty hard to get, nowadays, on entry. They can be negotiated/worked up to)

S

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Interesting :)
Thats how I found this site too! :thumbup:

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Au contraire, I know quite a fair bit about academia, both as a long time participant and as a topic of research, so I do know a thing or two about the dichotomy of the behavioralist and normative persuasion. But however relativistic and unprofitable the latter might be, it was meant as a joke. I'm sure once you've defended you won't be as touchy. :)

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Just unemployed. ;)

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

That's not very encouraging. There are lots of jobs at Chapters, especially over the Christmas period. ;)

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

I didn't shoot the airline stuff down, I just explained the reasons why its a bit difficult to gain a job in that industry, there is basically just 1 airline and its affiliates who still have in house employees, as the others outsource, and its not worth it working for an outsourcing company as there is no future with them, the pay is near min. wage, and and while I'd prefer to work at the airport, I also have to think logically and realize I can't live on 10.25 or 10.80/hr which is what was offered by the outsourcing company that I have made contact with.

I do apply to Air Canada and its affiliates when they hire in Vancouver, I have an airline specific resume just for airline related jobs, I however have just not gotten a chance to interview with them, but I do apply each time Vancouver has an opening provided its a job I am qualified for.

I would apply to Rouge if I could, unfortunately I have no Canadian Passport and their website will not let you even apply without checking off that you do have one, they have a list of min. requirements, if you leave 1 unchecked the apply button doesn't appear.

Yes I do shoot down some jobs, I don't have a lot of confidence in my abilities, and its something I am aware of and working on.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Tbh what sounds like the best thing for you to do is to get on that Canadian passport and then apply to rouge - in the mean time find something to pay the bills - you may not particularly enjoy it but such is life. Just keep thinking ahead to the future, potentially working for rouge. If they see you are motivated they may be more likely to hire you. :)

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

The only thing I can do is apply, and I don't think many realize how how widespread outsourcing is in the airline world these days, making actual jobs harder to come by.

There is room to grow for example starting on the ramp of an airline, you have a plethora of opportunity into other positions if you desire, however with an outsourcing company, its a dead end job, 100% dead end with no real opportunity growth into something better, and your company can easily lose the contract and then you end up unemployed, contracts only run a few years and airlines don't have much loyalty and if you company isn't the cheapest at renewal, well someone else gets it.

Westjet for example outsources more then people realize, as do almost all the foreign airlines serving Canada. The only actual airline option in Canada really is Air Canada, and since I know nobody affiliated with them, its not exactly possible to network my way in.

I am also 6'4 and a few airlines have a max height of 6'2 for flight attendants with shoes on, as well as I am too tall for example to be a flight attendant with an airline like Jazz or Westjets Encore because they are small aircraft and I can't even stand up in safely, so they are not options for me in for that position. for max height on jazz for FA is 5'11.

Vancouver also lacks many open positions, look at the websites and there are generally few and far on open positions for Vancouver.

I've worked tirelessly trying to get an airline job in Vancouver, but with so few options of companies its a very uphill battle.

I am not going to commute to Vancouver for example for a random hotel job, or something of the same pay I make now, so its why I stick with the job I have, makes no sense to commute for the same wage, when I can keep what I have and commute 5 minutes down the road.

I just know with my current education not beyond grade 12, only option is more education as I will not get anywhere in any company without some sot of education/skill.

For the jobs I can currently get, networking isn't really something you can do, nobody goes out seeking low skilled/low educated people to work for their company...lol

I just have no idea how to choose a program at a school that will lead to a decent job which is the hurdle.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Have you thought of moving elsewhere in Canada, or once you get your Canadian citizenship, abroad or back to the united states?

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Why not take a few classes at a local community college? They'll let anyone in and you can build up some transferable credits if you later decide to do a degree.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Pay attention, he's already moved from Ontario, is prepared to move towns in BC. JSmith is a trier.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Where in this thread has he posted that? Tbh i've never seen him post that since i joined BE, not to say he hasn't but I didn't know/see that since I joined. :) And I wasn't saying he had to move to Ontario. He could move to Quebec or NS. He could move back to the USA. He could try and move to Europe, though that probably will not work out since he isn't an EU citizen. He did say he's always liked australia. He could go over on a WHV.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

No, he can't go to Australia on a WHV. He's over the age limit. He also said he couldn't move to the US because his girlfriend wouldn't qualify for a visa. He doesn't meet the income requirements to sponsor her. He can't move to Europe either without a visa and it's pretty unlikely he and/or his girlfriend would qualify for one.

Life is not as easy at 35 as it is at 15. You have things pretty cushy right now. Dad's a surgeon, so money is likely not an issue for your family. You live at home with parents who seem to allow you a pretty nice life - seemingly unlimited internet, cruises over the holidays. JSmith (and the majority of us on here) don't have those luxuries. He is someone who for various reasons is unable to obtain employment in jobs paying much more than minimum wage.

To give flip advice like "move provinces" is not helpful for someone in a situation where moving house is difficult, never mind coming up with the thousands of dollars required to move to another province. What do you propose he does for money when he gets to a new place with no job and no social assistance?

I know you're trying to be helpful, but it's very difficult to be part of the working poor. You honestly do not have any experience of what life is like for Mr Smith, so it might be wise to think about practicalities before throwing out lines like "he can go on a WHV" or "move within Canada".

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

I wasn't advising him to just up it and go. I've seen others on this forum move house on low funds when they really want to and save up for it. As for his girlfriend, i'm not sure how long they've been together, but he could marry her and she'd get a green card in the US. It is an option if he wanted to live in the US again. And he has hinted multiple times at their possibly being work in Alberta for him, so that is also an option. I was also unaware of what age he was. So he can't go on a WHV. I forgot what the age restriction was and what his age is. I stand corrected there. And I did mention that he probably wouldn't go to Europe due to visa restrictions.

And "seemingly unlimited internet" isn't really that expensive nowadays, so don't act as if its a "luxury" . Yes our internet is unlimited, but virtually everyone's is nowadays. The plans are standard with either unlimited or a decent amount of broadband.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

No, marrying his girlfriend wouldn't get her a green card. He still has to be able to meet the requirements to sponsor her. And what exactly should they do in the US with absolutely NO safety net? No medical coverage, no social support, no social housing, etc?

Unlimited internet is a luxury for some. Our internet costs well over $100 AUD/month. That's not unlimited, it's 50 GB.

Look, as someone who has been in JSmith's position - albeit many years ago now - I can tell you that it's pretty difficult to save $100, never mind the thousands it takes to move elsewhere. Minimum or low wage earners tend to spend their money on things like rent and buying nutritious food, not saving to move provinces.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Well it sounds like internet in Australia is a ripoff then ;)

I didn't say moving to the US was the best idea, (I don't think it is due to the lack of healthcare there) but its an option.

I am aware by his posts on here that Jsmith is not in a very good financial position. That doesn't mean he can't move provinces/countries if he really wants to. He may need to try and get a better job in BC first, then go, but he could do it if there was better work in another province or state.

http://www.uscis.gov/family/family-u...nent-residents
http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/gree...idavit-support

There is nothing saying Jsmth needs to have a set amount of money to bring a wife back to the US. Just that he needs to be "financially responsible" for her. But as a PR she could get work in the US anyways. (and yes, yes, I know that Jsmth or wife could not get work and then the sponsor thing comes into play and yadda yadda)

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Um, yes there is a clause about income. The sponsor must show they earn 125% of the poverty level. This is at the time of application, not some random time in the future.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Move house on low funds it they really want to?? that's patronising and with no concept of wishes v reality. You need spare money to be able to save. Many people live from pay packet to pay packet and do without food or heat to be able to do that.

Unlimited internet is not standard by any means> we don't have unlimited and pay over $100 a month for what we do get.

You mean well but your experience of life shows.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

I know you mean well but you really don't have any idea of the reality of living on or below the poverty line - which is what people who are earning minimum wage have to deal with.

Just to get from BC to, say, Ontario would cost at least one to two thousand dollars by the time you add up flights or driving a vehicle plus moving a household of furniture (you can add another $2000 if you get a company to do it for you). Then you have to pay first and last month's rent, plus utility deposits. This is before you even have found a job. If you have a job to start, it will be 2-4 weeks until you get paid.. but you still have to buy gas for the vehicle plus registration and plate fees, new vehicle insurance, pay for food, internet, electricity, gas, phone. Oh, and don't forget the $90+ to have a redirect on your mail. You won't get benefits with the new job for 3 months either, so if you need medication you will have to find the money for that too.

If you are working 38 hours a week at $11.00 an hour and struggling to pay rent or buy food or pay bills, just how are you supposed to save the $3,000 to $6,000 that move would cost?

Reality check.

Perhaps if you give your parents 90% a month of whatever money you earn for room and board you will have some idea of how hard it is.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

We gave my daughter one of those reality checks when she bitched about us upping her board when she started working full time. She pays $80/wk which IMO is a pretty good deal. She wanted to pay less, so I told her to sit down and work out how much it would cost her to live on her own with...

Unlimited food always at her disposal (not crap, but top quality food)
Cable tv
A pool maintained by someone else (me :rolleyes:)
Internet
Heating and air con (not standard here)
Laundry service
All utilities
Car insurance in her name as a young driver
Etc.

She came back with her tail between her legs when she discovered just how much it costs to live. Her dad and I both work for a reason!

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

How anyone can charge a child, even an adult child "board and lodging" is quite incomprehensible and then reveling in dispensing some sort of "life of hard knocks" lesson and lecture frankly sounds extremely controlling at best. :unsure:

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

My mother did this with me! It took me 4 years at uni to realise things were not as easy when your on your own in the big wide world!

As a teenager I thought I knew best but now I understand why she did it.

If a young adult is living at home and in a full time job, why should they not make a contribution towards the household. I think it is a valuable life lesson especially if all they not prepared to contribute. If you send them out into the world where mummy and daddy have paid for everything and then they are on their own, that is quite a shock.

I don't think anyone is 'reveling' about it here. It's 'tough love' but that is what is going to make kids more resilient in the future, when they might experience financial problems as an adult.

You are speaking to someone who will admit they were spoilt up until 15 years old (only child, both parents in good jobs) and then parents split and I'm told at 16 to get a part-time job if I want that phone/computer/pair of shoes etc. I wasn't happy at first but I learnt and now I don't regret what she had to do.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

What life of hard knock lesson? :confused: Doing some research on the cost of living is reveling in some sort of "life of hard knocks" lesson?

And why shouldn't an adult who works full time pay their way? Maybe I should move home and live "board and lodging" free with my mother? Yeah, there's an idea. Never teach my kids responsibility and have them live at home the rest of their lives.

I know you think you're clever, but your constant sarcasm is really just ugly.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

I have to agree with you, Oink. *wait for people to come commenting about how im spoilt so how can I possibly agree with Dorothy*

My cousin (who just turned 30) lived at home until just last August, when she moved out and bought a condo. From age 24-present she is a full time nurse making however much (probably alot) that a nurse makes. Her parents didn't ask her to pay them anything. Actually I think they rather enjoyed having her at home. She would do little things like cook supper a couple times a week, or allow them use of her car (that she paid for) when she was off nights and sleeping, and one parent had their truck out for whatever reason.


And bats, (i'm being serious) who are you with for internet? Because whoever they are, they're charging you a ripoff. You can have unlimited bandwidth from as low as $49.95/month. Which is pretty cheap.

My posts, yes, come from my view on life, which is younger than all of yours. Which is probably not as wise (as hard as this is to admit ;)) as yours. But, i'm also basing them off the different paths I envision my life going on. If I want to move countries (or provinces) and I can't afford it right at the moment, then i'll find a way. I saw this saying on the internet, "If you don't like where you are, move, you are not a tree". It's pretty accurate.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

pretty much everyone I know has been expected to contribute to household expenses if living at home and working full time. It's usually a token amount but that token is significant in learning that you need to pay your own way.

Little things like cook supper twice a week!! Allow them use of her car! Dear me, your phrasing speaks volumes about your attitude to parents and living at home.

Unlimited internet is not available in my village. Simples. Of course the price is a rip off it's Bell.

Adult is not as simple as you think it is, definitely not simple if you try not to be selfish. You'll see but in the meantime you will continue with your teenage certainty.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

I think you can teach practical and instrumental budgeting skills as they grow up, its long term process. Its hard enough for younger people to able afford to save up for a deposit on a property let alone have start paying their parents some arbitrary sum. I realize its not about the amount It seems to be more about how it makes the parent feel in control.

Maybe I was lucky as my parents adopted a form of Deweyan experiential learning when it came to these matters so by the time I went to university at 17 I was able to manage my financial responsibilities fairly easily without the need of parental control or input.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

No, it has nothing to do with being in control - nothing what so ever. :banghead:

It's about helping an adult child understand that they should be responsible, how nothing is free and to have some consideration. When I got my first job I gave my Father 60% of my nett income, it wasn't expected but I wanted to contribute. My Father didn't need the money, but why should he pay for everything when I was earning?

Too many adult children have absolutely no idea of the cost of living in the real world and have an attitude that the world (and their parents) owe them.

I know several people who have required their adult child to pay 'keep' but have not spent it, put it into a savings account and then when they have either got married or moved into their own place have given them the accumulated sum. Seems like a good idea to me.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

I disagree with that thesis. Its not a logical position, its one that seems to propagated by a sense of resentment of by parents. Its a position and attitude that is extremely prevalent. When you see this argument, the wording is almost always the same. Phrases, like, “kids these days don't know how hard life is, "they don't know the value of money" "they wouldn't like it in the 'real world'", "Maybe they'll appreciate all the hard work and sacrifice we've made for them." etc. etc. its just hackneyed nonsense borne out of a need to shore up their waning power. Of course ‘they’ know cost of things. And if they don’t they can find out quite easily.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

What a load of tosh.

:p

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

That's not contributing IMO - no wonder she can afford a condo if she didn't have to pay rent.

One of my friends used to own a house and lost his job and had to go and live at home (hes nearly 29). He had debts as well that he paid off awhile ago now. A couple of weeks ago he was showing me houses he was looking at £235,000!!!!! - there is no way he has been contributing towards their household if he is looking at house prices in that region

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Quite possibly. :)

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Living off your parents once you are earning might sit comfortably with some but I could never do that. You might not need to contribute an equal share but food costs, use of cars, extra internet and TV channels would all put their outgoings up. Not to mention extra housework, cooking, gardening. If you live with people contribute properly, don't sponge off them. Oh and then don't expect your parents to pay out thousands for a fancy wedding too.

The parents are probably looking forward to when the kids leave home and when they get their lives back.

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

I'm glad I didn't have parents like you lot growing up. I feel sorry for your kids, it'd be like living with one Harry Enfield's self-righteous brothers. :rofl:

And of course its all about power and control. The only reason people have children is to create meaning and agency in life, one nurtures while maintaining control. One only has to look at any primate colony to be able to generalize to human familial groupings. Its why teenage girls fall out with their mothers and teenage boys fall out with their fathers. They've known you're full of shite and understand about as much of the practices of "real world" as you do on Jupiter. They know you've been making it up as you go along. :)

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

:goodpost:

Don't feel sorry for us. Feel sorry for yourself at your lack of understanding on the topic!

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

:lol:

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

You do make me laugh.

:hysterical:

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

Bats - a bastion of plain, common sense and sensibility :goodpost:

Ymmv...

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

The sense of humour on this website confuses me :confused:

Re: Should I just try for a random degree?
 

The comment that I 'laughed' at was so ridiculous it had to be a joke.

:p