More things going on in my life

ottoatm · Post by **ottoatm** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 6:32 am

In fact we're both thinking of going back to school. Come May it'll be three years since I gradutated college, and that's a long time to be out of the loop. More education may be my only chance to get a good job. That or digging trenches.

Wow man... I've been following your story lately, and your latest posting just hit way too close to home... so I'll share with you my experience.

I was a systems analyst (MIS grad) with IBM when the whole bubble burst and jobs started flying overseas faster than anyone could say "offshoring!?"

I was searching all over the country too, and I even drove out to live in LA for 3 months confident that I'd find something there... and I found nothing (not even retail) and ended up driving allll the way back to NY after having gotten all settled in in LA... it sucked!! I was like pissed off and depressed and ready to kill anyone who gave me a the smallest amount of stress....

Yep... I solved my troubles by going back to school... I'll be getting a masters in may and starting a job that is FINALLY going to be something to be proud of, makin some good cash (for lego, of course).

My advice... get the MS. If your in IT, you almost HAVE to have one these days. The funniest part is that I didn't even gain all that many skills... I just learned some basic concepts. But the school and the degree opened doors to me, as a student, that my network and "contacts" just weren't affording.

Also, it's really really nice to be a student again, even though I have to pay for it all by myself this time... grad school is relaxing yet interesting work - and everyone will respect you for doing it... and you'll be sure to get a SWEET job when your done... I'm tellin ya!

You guys should come to my school (Syracuse U)... bad basketball team... but best IT school in the country man!

Anyway, sorry for the long post... but I really, really, really relate to what your going through... and there's no words anyone can say to make it better... so just relax and think seriously about the grad school option... an MS degree is something to be proud of for the rest of your life!

Post by **SavaTheAggie** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 1:54 pm

Rubberchickenknight wrote:good luck, i hope you find a job.come to canada, the great white north! we have low unemployment rates good luck job hunting! i'll keep you in my prayers, but my prayers don't do much because i prayed for the pope but now he's dead

I must start my reply by saying that it is against Classic-Castle policy to debate such personal beliefs as religion in the forum, but I wanted to say something about your last sentance. These are not my views as an admin, but my personal thoughts.

Do not think your prayers went unanswered. Yes, the Pope has passed away, but he did so peacefully, with dignity, and has finally been relieved of all of his earthly health problems. The Pope was a mortal man, just like all of us. And just like all of us, he had to pass away eventually.

John Paul II lead an incredibly long and fruitful life. Quite possibly no one person alive today or in the last two hundred years has had the same amount of positive impact on the earth. Very few people could have ever come close to achieving so much in one lifetime.

Change is a part of life, and while it is painful to lose such a great man, we must also remember that to want him to stay with us is a selfish wish. He has been called home and is in a much better place than this world.

--Anthony

wlister · Post by **wlister** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 6:52 pm

SavaTheAggie wrote:
Rubberchickenknight wrote:good luck, i hope you find a job.come to canada, the great white north! we have low unemployment rates good luck job hunting! i'll keep you in my prayers, but my prayers don't do much because i prayed for the pope but now he's dead
I must start my reply by saying that it is against Classic-Castle policy to debate such personal beliefs as religion in the forum, but I wanted to say something about your last sentance. These are not my views as an admin, but my personal thoughts.

Do not think your prayers went unanswered. Yes, the Pope has passed away, but he did so peacefully, with dignity, and has finally been relieved of all of his earthly health problems. The Pope was a mortal man, just like all of us. And just like all of us, he had to pass away eventually.

John Paul II lead an incredibly long and fruitful life. Quite possibly no one person alive today or in the last two hundred years has had the same amount of positive impact on the earth. Very few people could have ever come close to achieving so much in one lifetime.

Change is a part of life, and while it is painful to lose such a great man, we must also remember that to want him to stay with us is a selfish wish. He has been called home and is in a much better place than this world.

--Anthony

Nicely put Anthony.

Will

Troy T. Moore · Post by **Troy T. Moore** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 12:06 pm

Well I was in agriculture for 9 years, raising hogs on an intensive livestock operation. An artificial insemination program using imported Dutch genetics, a herd health program with regular vet visits, databasing using PicChamp software, production was in top 10%, that was until 1998 and the prices for pigs hit record breaking lows and stayed there for a while.... My wife and I lost it all. I worked out for a bit (3 year contract managing a similar but larger facility in Manitoba) during which time I decided to do something different.

I went back to school at age 30 to train as a Practical Nurse. I graduated in December, have FT work, a high level of job satisfaction, decent wages and am 32.... It was not easy, being out of school for 12 years then going back, but I now have a decent furure to look forward to. As my wife says, "Where there is a will, there is a way." and that is why it all worked out, I had her there for support and encouragement.

My point is, if you like your current field that you are trained in but need more training to get employed, go for it. However there is nothing wrong with making a radical change in order to become "in demand".

Sir Kohran · Post by **Sir Kohran** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 12:51 pm

Well...I don't really know what to say, except that I hope things turn out well eventually, and Ikros will endure this latest foe.

Blueandwhite · Post by **Blueandwhite** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 2:10 pm

As others have said, I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties. Truth is, many of us can relate. I've been out of Law School for a year now, and I still haven't been able to acquire a position. The job market certainly isn't a friendly place. Anthony, I wish you the best in your job search.

Later.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 2:16 am

I believe Anthony's luck has changed.

Sorry Anthony, but I could not keep silent any longer, and I know that you are working hard preparing for next week!

It's good to have the Sava's back in Houston.

Jim

ottoatm · Post by **ottoatm** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 3:41 am

Really?! Come on! Let's hear the news!

Post by **SavaTheAggie** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 3:52 am

ottoatm wrote:Really?! Come on! Let's hear the news!

*cough* well...

Well it seems that Jim is the big wig at his own company, and was looking to fill a position therein. We had been discussing it off an on infrequently since January, but I hadn't heard much recently.

Until friday when Jim told me he wanted to hire me to do a job for him. Kind of one of those gotta wipe off the monitor from my spraying coke all over the screen. And hey, if I do a good job, I'll even get hired on full time.

It's all a bit overwhelming, but it's a support role for the space program, and that's something I've always wanted to do. Plus it's right in my home town, which I'm sure my parents (and my car) are very happy about.

I wasn't going to say anything until I got hired on permanently, but since my new Boss 'outed' me, I guess I just didn't have any choice

I mean, after all, everything I say can and might be used against me

So there you have it. For the next five weeks, at least, I am an employed former bum. I guess y'all can start playing the tiny fiddle for someone else, now

--Anthony
Lord of CC
Underling in real life

medib · Post by **medib** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 10:33 am

Wow!!

Congrats. That is totally cool news Tony!

Good luck with your current assignment, and I hope they like ya well enough to hire you on for good!

Ben Medinets

Post by **JoshWedin** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 11:56 am

Excellent news! Very glad to hear of your chance at a permanent job. Best of luck and keep us posted!

Josh

ottoatm · Post by **ottoatm** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 1:44 pm

Sweet! And so there it is... CC in action as a networking tool for lego... and career options (for more lego buying power, of course). Congrats, man!

Dragon Master · Post by **Dragon Master** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:24 pm

I'm so happy for you Anthony. I've been feeling real sad about all of this, but its nice to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you enjoy your job, and have fun working with your new boss Jim (does that mean Jim gets a custom title?

).

BTW, I hope you don't get any funny ideas about making "space" creations while your working.

DM