Can't get a job anywhere...

[brianel027]

Well I can wholeheartedly disagree with Frank53's last 2 thoughts. Maybe the economy is prospering somewhere, but we don't see any signs of it here in NYS. In my local area there have been nearly 6,000 job losses in the past 5 years: 1,300 in since January 2005. In my city, there's at least one house for sale on every city block. The blocks that might not have one are made up for on the next one where there's two for sale.

We recently made the national news as being one of the most affordable places in the entire USA to buy a house, but that's because there are no jobs.

Seems every time I pick up the paper, some other company here in upstate NY is announcing substantial layoffs if not entirely closing.

In this area, social services ranks are at an all time high. All regional food banks are reporting utter record numbers of people seeking assistance. There may be prosperity in other areas of the country, but it's tough to get there when you're busted and employers are not offering relocation. Relocation money offered by employers is also at a recent low.

The only time they offer it is when they cannot find workers in their area to fill the jobs.... such as in my area with Lockheed Martin in Owego, NY. Many of those jobs have relocation offered because the jobs offered are so high tech, that they are having a hard time find local workers who fit their needs, at least upon hire without training. I think they'd be surprised if they would invest in some training... people who need a job are hungry and willing to make some extra effort when offered an opportunity.

And I also question the national prosperity when ABC news reported that the poverty rate for a family of four (below $35K) is at an all time high. And while the numbers of workers actually making minimum wage is also at an all time low (federal government report), the figures don't tell you the percentage of people making just slightly over minimum. Many employers will pay slightly better than minimum (state report) so that they can advertise their workforce makes more than minimum. Even federal government studies have shown a single working adult needs to make $25K in order to pay rent and make payments on a new model automobile.

I think there are a lot of Americans who may be prospering, but there are also an awful lot who are not.

You literally need a college degree to get a janitorial job. Jobs requiring Master's Degrees and they start at $20K. Ridiculous? Absolutely. Employers here are fully taking advantage of the high unemployment by offering near record low starting wages. I know many who do have 4 years of college and aren't even making $25K. I know couples where both people work full time and they don't make $35K together.

Studies both regional and national show that the 40-55 age group is being hit the hardest by the job losses. I can echo that one first hand. Even if you do have a college degree, it's is so old that it is almost irrelevant in today's high tech economy. And with so many young graduates coming out of college, employers feel they don't have to waste money attempting to train older workers when they can find young ones who are already up to speed. Regardless of the fact the older workers may have proven track records of attendance, loyalty and productivity.

So Chris, I can relate to your frustration. But I also agree with what others have said about keeping your sprits up, looking for small opportunities and being creative. Also, you have the good fortune (I assume) of still living at home and seeking extra money to buy trains.

There are far too many people who are seeking jobs to simply pay the essentials, never mind extras like trains.

Sorry gang, don't want spoil the party. Reality is reality. I guess all the more reason to keep the spirits high!

[garyseven]

"The minimum age to work restaurants now is 18?"

Risk Managment, Personal Injury Claims, and the ever dumbing down of the legal definition of "Dangerous Equipment" and minors operating that equipment. Welcome to the new normal.

[Frank53]

Having grown up lietraly down the street from LVR, I can't imagine not being able to make any dough. I started mowing lawns and washing cars when I was 11 or so, and that was with a push mower. I had a full days work every day in the summer from the time I was thirteen.

During the school year, I worked two hours a day after school in an architect's office making blueprints, four hours after dinner in a drug store stocking shelves and making deliveries and all day Saturday mowing lawns and washing cars. I did my own family's lawn and cars on Sundays.

After getting a license, I worked a full time job in Holmdel, drove home, ate, and went to work as a janitor at night. Saturdays and Sundays I worked at the drug store.

Bottom line, you earn in correlation to the effort you put out.

With this thriving Bush economy, if you're not making more money than you can spend today, you're never going to, as this is about the most vibrant economy ever.

[Anonymous]

Job hunting can be a very discouraging and frustrating experience no matter what your age. Since you live in a metropolitan area, you can be darn sure that somewhere out there, in your local area, is a prospective employer who could use you this summer. Maybe it's flipping burgers at Mickey D's or maybe it's something more in line with what you would like to do. But one thing's for sure: Anybody who truly wants to work and is willing to put forth some effort to make himself known to prospective employers will almost certainly find something to put a bit of cash in that train savings fund.

In my pre-teen years, I made money mowing lawns, trimming hedges, raking leaves, and shoveling snow.

A bit later, I worked at McDonalds for a time, and then worked in a department store selling Lionel and Flyer trains in the holiday season, and women's shoes and men's suits after the holiday was past.

I worked my way through college working in a camera store and then working as a photographer for the governing body of harness racing (USTA). Just before I graduated, I got my best buddy a photo dept. job at USTA and he's STILL there (we're talking 40 years--exactly)!

From that point on, the U.S. Army took care of my financial and other needs for about five years, and then I worked for several years as a freelance photojournalist in Vietnam and Hawaii before entering the more secure areas of journalism and journalism education, where I've been ever since.

With few exceptions, none of the jobs I've held were easy to find, and it gets a whole lot harder the older you get. I lucked into the one I currently hold, and plan to stay with it for as long as I can (or as long as they'll keep me).

You said "it's not a kids world." I beg to differ! You'll change your mind about that once you get another 30-40 years under your belt.

[csxt30]

Hi Chris, You seem very mechanical. Do you have any bicycle shops in your town. Here in Ohio I think they still can hire the younger boys. I worked in a bicycle shop all through high school & part time later. Thanks, John

[Buckeye Riveter]

I mowed grass at a trailer court....a big trailer court.

[siberianmo]

Yes you can! Start with a positive outlook and you'll be surprised at what may occur.

I note you have nearly 900 posts credited to you. That means you have spent quite a bit of time on these forums ..... nothing wrong with that. However, consider what you may have achieved had you devoted a similar amount of time really "beating the bushes" in search of a meaningful job.

My guess is that we are several generations apart, but one thing has stayed constant between the times we are in and the times when I was in your situation - those who are willing to expend the energy are the ones to get the reward. Things in life that are worthwhile simply must be achieved ... this you can do.

Suggestion: make a list of the things you like to do that are within REASON for the experiences and place in life you are currently in. Put those things in a priority ordering - from 1 to 10 (or more). Then start a column next to those "things" of places to look and people to contact (names/phone numbers). Talk to friends, family, neighbors who just may know someone who knows someone who may be looking for help ......

Good luck![tup]

[Anonymous]

The local city governments have summer jobs for students. Check at your city hall.

[Dave Farquhar]

The minimum age to work restaurants now is 18? I know the reason most retailers won't hire under 18 is because they can't prosecute a minor if the minor steals.

It's scary to me to think it was 12 years ago that I turned 18. In my case, I worked a fast-food joint. There were some limits on what we could do, but if it hadn't been for us 16-year-olds, that restaurant wouldn't have had any employees. We all tried to get jobs in grocery stores when we were 16. The lucky ones did that. The second-most desirable jobs were in sit-down type restaurants but as I recall most of those jobs went to attractive girls. The rest of us got fast food jobs. Or, when we couldn't get those, we struck out on our own and mowed lawns and such.

Definitely give the grocery stores and fast-food joints a shot. Also keep in mind those kinds of places often have quite a bit of turnover, from people upgrading to better jobs when they turn 18, or from people being fired. So if there's no interest in you this week, the opposite may be true next week.

It seems to me that finding that first job is always the toughest.

[Anonymous]

There is always the option of cutting grass. I worked 3 years in a Cemetary doing that from age 16 on. Dave

[Anonymous]

Local Burger joints, Home Depots, Office depots, Pathmark, Stop and shop... when I enquire... minimum age... they all have said "18". No income over the summer for me... and selling the trains isnt an option, cuase theres no market for that

Not a kids world...