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.