Career Options...Worried about this economy ***Update, Still Struggling

[NCtrueconservative]

Do you have professional mowing equipment, commercial grade stuff, or Harry Homeowner stuff? If commercial, look to getting some commercial accounts, warehouses, manufacturing plants, things like that. Those will beat up homeowner equipment, but with commercial equipment you can do well.

A mixture of both. Got some good commercial grade trimmers, but my mowers are more of the homeowner style. That said, I've checked around extensively with businesses and buildings with grass to be mowed, but like everything else around here, they already have someone cause the landscape market is so saturated in these parts. You can go through the phone book and its lawn care business after lawn care business, just for the smallish county of Watauga and even smaller Ashe

[Topcat]

Where is J Edgar Hoover when we need him?  He'd clean out the House.

while wearing panty hose.

[mcgheejt]

Whatever you do, don't try to start a career in government.

E.g. whether it's a park ranger, bus driver, policeman, firefighter, or in public works, there is no future in that.  But that's the grand plan, isn't it?   

I suggest to quit school and join the military.  Defense will always be funded well and as long as you're not killed, it's job security for life.

Army National guard paid for my college.  Zero student loans.  Decided to make it a career.  26 years later, the military has also paid for a masters degree and trained me in a variety of skills companies are looking for.  No reason for anyone qualified for the service to take out student loans.  Too bad only 1 in 4 young Americans even qualify for military service today.   Don't stress, this should be a really enjoyable time in your life. Take your car out for a road trip and smell some roses.

[GranCuda1970]

while wearing panty hose.

 Does that prevent chaiffing??   

[GranCuda1970]

  Too bad only 1 in 4 young Americans even qualify for military service today.

 My unit XO told us around 2005 when we returned from Iraq that they were taking just about anybody, and if you scored higher than a 17 on your asvab test you could go infantry. 17 is borderline if not mentally retarded!!! ,..at the time they were giving out $20,000 re-enlistment bonuses for Combat MOS's , ARMOR, MECH INF, AND INF. I guess they tightened it up since. I know alot could not even pass the PT test or a weigh in. Hell In PLDC they were saying that some of the NCO's could still complete NCO warrior training if they fail the PFT at the start of the class. But you can make fat people skinny pretty easy in a bootcamp environment.

[ChallengerHK]

I've checked around extensively with businesses and buildings with grass to be mowed, but like everything else around here, they already have someone cause

Good start. Don't give up on them, and when you talk to them, pump them for information. Ask how much they pay, and when their contract expires, things like that. You might be able to put in a contract when it's up and underbid the competition.

[NCtrueconservative]

I have thought about the military before. Don't really have to worry about student loans that much right now though, cause Im living at home, have a scholarship that cuts the tuition in half, and just commute a few mins to App State.

[NCtrueconservative]

If a man could just come up with an idea. I know a local guy, he owns his own inflatable company...like airwalks, slides, obstacle courses. Granted a man would have to go into debt quite a bit to buy the materials, he just comes and sets up the stuff, then come gets it when you're done renting it.  And I know just the slide for our church was 475 for the weekend. He's the only guy in the area who does that, so he gets all that business for multiple counties Its things like that (something unique, not concrete hours) that I've been itching to do

[Tonefiend]

I have 2 friends with kids who graduated college with a BA degree this year.  One cant find a job and the other turned down a $70k a year job because she wont work for free.   

[NCtrueconservative]

I have 2 friends with kids who graduated college with a BA degree this year.  One cant find a job and the other turned down a $70k a year job because she wont work for free.   

pshhhht what a joke. Won't work for 70K? Boggles the mind.  I've been reading alot of Dave Ramsey lately, about starting a business.  He started what would become a real estate empire from a card table in his house.  He says to start part time doing your business, and see how ya do.  Of course he says it more eloquently and has the figures you need to make.  I might start on the side fixing up some old barn finds (sings, furniture, old tools, other stuff) and see how that does.  I've got time on my hands since the mowing business has took a hit, and there are NO jobs locally unless you're a professional in the medical field.  The jobs listings in the local paper are pitiful.  Plus, I got plenty of good tools, and room and space to do it.  Plus I enjoy it.  Gonna try my hand, and if it doesn't work out, I won't have lost much.