are there good careers without extra study?

[weg]

Francine,

I don't think anyone insinuated that your son was bad natured a drug addict or an alcoholic. I did however immediately think that he was very fussy that he expected so much when he has so little to offer in return.

My sons first job was doing the weekly cleaning at a bakery - spent all his time with a scourer in his hand (and his hands in near boiling water) on his knees or twisting to get into those hard to get places. Came home smelling like a sweet berliner . He hated it but didn't leave until he got a better job.

He now knows that almost any job he has will only be better . He also knows he has to work towards securing the type of work he wants and this means study in his case.

So Francine what I'm getting at is that he needs to work out for himself how to get a job and he needs to find out how difficult it is to get exactly what he would like without some sort of show to the potential employer that he are able to provide something over other applicants.

This is more a problem of the young who are still living at home not the good or the bad.

 

[The Y-man]

actually wegs scott and hooray i understand that your comments would often be relevent your comments to other boys that age, but to my son they are extremely judgemental insensitive unhelpful and in bad taste.

He was a top student thriving in many areas and interests and became very sick and could not cope with school but worked hard doing tafe. He is an extremely well liked and good natured boy genuinely looking at what he could do . He never drinks nor does drugs or anything, has always been very good natured, and sincerely wanting to find soemthing he can do that can be a good path for him. He cannot have a path of too much stress or study at this point. How it will be in 5 years i dont know but we are genuinely looking at options. so your comments may fit some but totally not him.

francine.

Francine,

I think people can be much more constructive and helpful to you, if you can help them by giving out all of the information on your first post.

I have noticed many times that you have posted questions without explaning the context (hence many comments as to whether you work for a research organisation - as many such companies are unable to set specific context). You then seem to get defensive when replies in an open context are made.

I am not sure if you are uncomfortable disclosing the information, but I note that in many cases, somewhere in the thread, the details of the situation eventually comes out anyway.... (often as a response to posts which were made in response to a contextless question)......

Cheers,

The Y-man

 

[nhb74]

Your original post definitely made it seem your son was a lazy 18 year old who wanted to get a job for doing as little as possible and get paid very well to do it.

Now if he has medical problems and an illness etc... that would change the situation and also the response completely. So next time maybe give out all the information before asking for advice which a lot of people on this forum give to you for free and with good intentions.

 

[Witzl]

depending on your son's health condition... i would recommend a retail sales position with an organisation or product mix that your son is enthusiastic about.

I currently work for Jaycar Electronics - im 27 now, and ive been working here for over 7 years. I started as a lowly casual retail person, progressed thru the ranks, and now im a New Product Development Manager (aka, product manager or buyer).

By having a personal interest in the products at this company, and being enthusiastic about the type of company, i have been able to progress upwards through the ranks very easily. This company promotes from within, so i made myself known as hard working and very quick to learn - and exploited by good traits to my best advantage.


Your son, if he is outgoing and well liked, can do just the same with virtually any well sized organisation that actively promotes from within. Picking ones that have free training programs is also a big plus, as it increases employability with other similar organisations.

FYI - i finished high school, went to uni and flunked out. I have no pieces of paper other than my HSC and an RSA certificate.
However, due to my experiences i am now a VERY employable person in retail management and marketing, and especially employable in the direct importation of products from China.


Your son just needs to apply himself and strive for personal achievement every day.
I made it my personal goal to be perform at a level above my immediate co-workers... having similar goals will help climb through the ranks of any company.

 

[Aaron Sice]

y'know what Francine?

i like how you're always looking for a leg up. the questions might come thick and fast but at least you're asking them and trying.

i would say for him to try getting into a TA position on a mine site. from there he can take courses in first aid, rigging, boilermaking etc part time as a tax-deduction to tdo with work, or the site may pay for him to do it anyway.

TA = trade assistant.

 

[evand]

Francine,

If you attempt to shield your son from the realities of getting his own job, finding his own way, starting at the bottom if he has to, working hard etc he may not turn out to be the man you want him to be (or he wants to be).

Its the natural process of growing up, paying dues and there are no shortcuts in this life.

This is what depreciator and others were referring to so dont be offended.

People can only grow from getting out of their comfort zone and learning from their mistakes. If he tries to bypass this process in the early part of his adulthood...well.....its not going to benefit him one bit. As a parent i know where you're coming from but you have to resist it and let him stand on his feet and grow.

Whats that saying about parenting. Give them the roots to grow and the wings to fly. So true.

 

[josko]

I finished my HSC at 17, jumped on a bus with a one way ticked to QLD and partyed for a year....pretty much spent every cent I had.

After getting extremely ill *(self-abuse!), I decided i didn't want to work in a photo lab for the rest of my life, came back to Sydney and enrolled in a Private College for Graphic Design. It took me a year to actually figure out what I was good at and what I needed to do.

I had no parents holding my hand.

Sometimes you just have to let go and let it happen. My upbringing is quite the opposite of how I am raising my children but when their time comes they'll be paying their way and will need to figure it out for themselves too.

Regards JO

 

[keithj]

I have a son who ... decided he actually didnt want to work as a personal trainer. He .... doesnt feel up to studying more. He doesnt want to say for the rest of his life ' i work at subway" or similar.

You make it sound like he needs a good dose of reality. Maybe get him to read Losing My Virginity - Richard Branson - he was sick.... he didn't let that stop him though.

 

[Piston Broke]

Maybe you should just let him decide what he wants to do.

There are too many mothers out there who want to speak, do, decide everything and live their own life again through their sons & daughters.
Maybe it's time they actually do something for themselves.

 

[bodybuilder]

Depending on his health, I think joining the military would a great idea. I joined the Army when I left school, I thought it was a great way to earn a good wage for my age, have a secure job, and keep fit. And I naively thought it would be easy. I was 19 when I joined, yet I'd lived a sheltered life and I was still a kid. But it made me grow up and understand "the real world" quickly.

I was also fortunate enough to be deployed overseas, seeing a beautiful country not many others get to see, and see/experience living conditions that now make me appreciate everything I have. Now that I'm out, I can thank my Army experiences and training for the job I now have and love.

There are plenty of "cushy" admin type roles in the military, if your son wanted to choose that option. Working in admin in the RAAF he'd be working normal office hours most of the time (after his training), and he'd be earning more than the majority of his civilian peers in similar jobs, plus all the benefits like free medical, etc. He doesn't have to stay there forever either, it could be something he does for 4yrs, and it would help him gain employment if he decides to leave. You would be surprised at how well employers view military service.

There were times I loved and hated being in the military, but I am so glad I joined. It made me the man I am today...

 

[Project1080]

Raddles,
When I signed up, didn't know that was teh job description.

Can I resign?

Project 1080

The project 10 IPs in 80 mths.

 

[jaycee]

So, he wants a 'respectable' job that's stable and with good pay, but doesn't want stress, physical labour, or anything that requires higher education. Presumably he just wants to show up at a nice, airconditioned office, shuffle papers, and get paid good money and be able to brag to his friends.

Time to suck it up and take responsibility, kid.

Why not ? That almost sums up my job ?

I didn't read that Francine's son was looking for that, I think he / Francine were looking at options other than being stuck in an unskilled job which he might not be happy at and feel too old for.

Francine, I think the answer is that there a lots of choices and options, and that these change with time. There could be lots of areas he could find stimulating, but he probalby doesn;t know what these are yet, so exploration may be the way.

 

[Strannik]

i think you need to draw a line between 'study' and 'formal education'

without first he won't be able to go much further than general labor at construction site or selling big macs

second is overrated

 

[travelbug]

If he doesn't want to study then don't. Why does he have to decide right now, what he's going to do for the rest of his life?

I did lots of jobs (not all good ones) until I decided to go to UNI at 30.

My son left school at 17 with his HSC. He's bright but hated school. He has been doing different jobs for 3 years and has now decided on a career and will begin study when he returns from 11 weeks travel. His dream was to have his 21st in New York. He turned 21 yesterday and is on the plane now.

I was worried sick for 3 years but I'm very proud of him.

Just let him enjoy being 18.

 

[jaycee]

Congrats to your son travelbug !

 

[deejay]

If he's sick, and he could always do self-paced study at home. Try OTEN (TAFE's home study area). He could take it easy while he recovers and still come out with a diploma. However, this will only work if someone (ie, you) monitors his progress and makes sure he studies something with decent future prospects.

 

[Peter Parker]

I think the public service is a great idea - provided he can get a job in this current climate. Most of the jobs in canberra are public service, but I know alot of the departments have reduced job vacancies and are offering redundancies - all voluntary at this point. Immigration here has to loose about 800 jobs.

But the public service provides good wages, pretty good job security, good career prospects, options for further education later on.

A bachelor's degree is pretty much the minimum for the public service these days. A large percentage have honours and even doctorates (particularly in Canberra which is top heavy with fat cats).

A lot of the menial jobs have either been got rid of due to automation or outsourced to a private contractor offering less secure employment.

If he's got a drivers licence and a clean record, I'd suggest a bus driver, provided he's willing to work with the public. Bus companies often help with the required driver training and there's a shortage at the moment (but be quick before those who've left for the mines return and want their jobs back).

Once a senior driver you might be able to get into jobs like depot management, rostering, service planning, charter work etc.

The other thing he could apply for is a station host position in Connex. Even people with year 12 can progress from this rapidly; capable non-degreed/non-TAFE people I know have become train schedulers or controllers at age 21 on good money. All training there in things like signalling is internal as it's specialised.

Oh I completely agree with Witzl's post as well - you're not responsible for Jaycar's burping toys etc are you?

Peter

 

[BayView]

actually wegs scott and hooray i understand that your comments would often be relevent your comments to other boys that age, but to my son they are extremely judgemental insensitive unhelpful and in bad taste.

He was a top student thriving in many areas and interests and became very sick and could not cope with school but worked hard doing tafe. He is an extremely well liked and good natured boy genuinely looking at what he could do . He never drinks nor does drugs or anything, has always been very good natured, and sincerely wanting to find soemthing he can do that can be a good path for him. He cannot have a path of too much stress or study at this point. How it will be in 5 years i dont know but we are genuinely looking at options. so your comments may fit some but totally not him.

francine.

Fran,

you can't look too far past the "trades" IMHO for a good career choice for a boy that age if he's "lost".

These are great careers for boys/men who love outdoors, and are inclined to want to do things, and there is a shortage of apprentices.

There's a fair bit of work v's study, and they can go on to become very wealthy if they are steered correctly in a financial sense. There is study, but it's not that tough.

They are always needed and the type of work tends to produce fiarly down to earth, normal blokes. There some cowboys as well, but that applies to everywhere.

My brother-in-law is your classic bogan (and his nick-name is "bogan") sparky. He has just bought his own sparky business at the age of 39 - is absolutely kicking goals now, despite some crazy mistakes through life to date. He is a very good sparky as well I might add. His appearance will fool you though.

Think 70's Led Zeppelin/bikie mix type appearance with the super-long hair, tatts and a Harley.

Your son, with what sounds to be a good head on his shoulders - provided he's got the work ethic - would brain em' in these positions.

If he liked TAFE, he would probably be drawn to thes professions.

 

[Bargain_Huntress]

What about the public service .... surely there are some entry level jobs in departments like Records Management, Housing etc

Sure they don't get much money in their hand each f/n (22K - 26K p/a) but the odds of him getting in without any previous experience or a degree are good. And plus, he will get Annual Leave, Sick Pay, RDO's/Flex Time etc. So there are other perks I guess.

Just a thought >?

 

[weg]

What about the public service .... surely there are some entry level jobs in departments like Records Management, Housing etc

Sure they don't get much money in their hand each f/n (22K - 26K p/a) but the odds of him getting in without any previous experience or a degree are good. And plus, he will get Annual Leave, Sick Pay, RDO's/Flex Time etc. So there are other perks I guess.

Just a thought >?

Aren't these just basic award entitlements?