StealthMode

Some of you will remember me, but it's been at least a couple years since I was an active member of this site. I was in college, did a few study abroad programs, and basically put myself into the typical huge shit pile mountain of student debt that everyone else does who goes to college. Well, I graduated in May with a B.S. in International Business. Since then I have never been poorer, am still in a bunch of financial trouble regarding a business I tried to run a couple years ago that failed. I'm almost out, just a few hundred dollars to pay off to Wells Fargo...(worst bank EVER, by the way).

Anyway, I was counting on the fact that I would have a full time "career" type job by now. Well, as luck would have it, I graduated college coming into this recession, barren job market, not to mention the holiday season that just got over. I've been sending out my resume (which, by the way is really good!) and applying to jobs in double digits every week.

I guess my problem is that right now I'm a student instructor at White Dragon kung fu. This is a 4 year, unpaid internship, and I'm there full time. Basically every weekday evening and all day Saturday. This is what I want to do with my life so there's no chance in hell I'm giving it up, and I really don't want to sacrifice much time from being there.

So regarding my job hunt, I am looking for something 8-5 M-F (7-4 would be even better). Should be easy right? I mean I have this wonderful business degree, am searching for a typical weekday office job, but apparently this just won't do. I've had to turn down jobs that I've interviewed for because they require hours as late as 7 or 8pm, and I just won't do that.

I just really don't know what the hell kind of job I qualify for in the first place, and I don't really know where to even start my searching. I've applied for tons of jobs at entry-level management, customer service, bank teller, etc. I've heard that maybe "consulting" is a good field for me, but "consulting WHAT?"

Could anyone please throw some ideas, feedback, advice my way??? I really need to get started with a good "secure" job. I'm a cook at Buffalo Wild Wings, making 8 bucks an hour, getting scheduled only 2 or 3 days a week, I can't afford my cell phone anymore, my car insurance has lapsed, registration is coming up, I'm behind with rent. I've applied to differ my loans though so at least it takes a little of the load off.

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serrilion

Lets see, Walmart is always hiren, look around for local drivers, if ya got a good record they can make some money, shipping companys and air ports are always looking for people to handle stuff... Most local groshery stores are looking, now none of these pay well but pick up 2 and you couldd be fine. Also most gas staions look for people for the shit shifts in such... IDK how good you are with factory work or like slaughter house work but they normaly take apps and hire in bulk... not all steady jobs, but hell 40 hours aweek here and 20 at another place is better then a kick in the ass!

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yea so a guy told me, "I bet I get laid twice as much as you," so I said, "Two times zero is still equal to zero," totally awesome.

Well, a penny saved is worth two in the bush, isn't it?
And don't cross the road if you can't get out of the kitchen.

StealthMode

Yeah, I've thought about a lot of those types of jobs, well, slaughter house never actually crossed my mind.... The problem with that is that I need ONE, good job. I already have a full time job as a student instructor, so realistically, 3 jobs is way too much work for one person to function. Let alone one that commits 6+ hours a day to kung fu training. I would die in about a week. FedEx, UPS and package handler jobs wouldn't be too bad, but I have a buddy that works there right now and he goes home completely wiped out. I would have to go straight from work to kung fu every day, or reverse if I took a night shift. It's extremely unhealthy to have that much output and minimal rest.

I just "know" that I'm good enough to get a job somewhere making at least 15 bucks an hour, doing business-type stuff. I just don't know WHAT business-type stuff I can do.

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B

Welcome to corporate America. 9-5 doesn't exist except for receptionists/claim/phone people.
i rarely leave the office before 8-pm.

More so, if you're international... your 9-5 is not their 9-5. That's a 24 hour program you got yourself into.

Not to be a dick, but if you want to be a karate person with your life, why did you even go to college? Should've went to china or something for a semseter and studied with the monks.

For the record, 4 years isn't an internship.... that's called apprenticeship... something that hasn't been used in america in a long time due to labor laws.

After 4 years of working for this guy unpaid, what do you get? a certified instructor certificate?

IMO, put the karate thing on hold. I know its something you like, but it doesn't pay the bills. supporting yourself is always more important than doing a hobby.

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serrilion

I would need to agree with B 1st man, 1st support ya self then have fun! Good Luck tho

StealthMode

It's definitely NOT anything remotely close to karate. It's not a hobby either, it's my lifestyle. This is not your watered down "fast food martial arts" school like everything else out there. Our style hasn't changed in generations, and a lot of it is thousands of years old. Once I complete the program I will be fully qualified and equipped to open my own school. I am currently starting a self defense for women program that will provide enough income to make a living on. If it's successful enough, it's mine after I graduate the program. I'm directly influencing my future, and my ability to earn a living doing what I love instead of making someone else rich.

As far as IB is concerned, I began studying because of the language concentration. Learning Spanish was high priority and this was a super efficient way of doing it. I'm not really looking for an international job now. I would be fine with something that pays the bills and is close. I'm more or less just wondering what I can use the degree for to get paid enough in a job I can stick with for the next 2-3 years.

Shit, part time would be fantastic IF it paid over $15/hr.

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2000Si

This is exactly what I was going to tell you. I know you don't want to hear this, but unless you want to live in the karate studio and eat ramen noodles everyday, you need a job first.

Priorities first.

sufikation

a real job should be put before a hobby...unless you are bruce lee or jackie chan karate wont pay your bills.

StealthMode

I get that same kind of thing all the time. I'm used to hearing it, but I'm definitely not giving it up. There has got to be a way around it.

Well, it's hard to communicate how important kung fu is to me, but it's definitely not fucking Karate or Rexkwondo, lol. It's who I am. I'm making my life as a kung fu practitioner, an idea that is completely foreign to 99.9% of people. I have a direct influence over what I'll be able to do, and it's not far off. Bottom line, it's my family now. I really can't explain how tightly knit it is to me, but it's pretty much the only place I find peace from all the bullshit that hits me every day.

Shouldn't there be some kind of job out there like working at a local college as a financial aid person, or similar that I could settle down at for 2 years while I finish the program?? I need a way to network with people rather than just emailing my resume all over the place and getting the same automatic turn down responses.

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2000Si

If you could have it both ways then you wouldn't have made this thread. Right? We're telling you what the real world has to offer for you and you don't like it. Sorry, but its reality.

StealthMode

Sure, it could be both ways. I'm not looking for the same job I was junior year in college. If I wanted to go that route I'd be looking to be a jet setter, doing business deals in Taiwan or South America. Shit, I'd settle for a simple salary position at 30k a year. That's more than enough for me. When I have my own school I can go for $75,000.

B

starting a business costs a lot of money-- especially when its something that involves a 'store' or in your case, a 'studio'. How do you plan to get started if you don't have any money?

you need a real job

BodyDroppedNikes

heres my suggestion: take the next job offer you get and do the karate thing maybe 2-3 nights a week.

and if you are spending as much time in the karate studio as much as you say you are, i would talk to them about them paying you. it sounds like you are spending alot of your valuable time there and you should be getting paid for it...especially if youve been doing it as an apprentice for 4 years.

George777

Do you have the opportunity to change the hours of your Kung Fu? Instead of doing it from 6-? every night, doing it in the morning one day and the evenings another? Having a flexible schedule makes it significantly easier to land a job.

Having been in retail management for the last 5 years, open/flexible schedule is what most companies require as a must when hiring. By limiting what you can and can't work, you are limiting your own job market. They can pay someone the same amount, or even less, simply because they are able to work when it suits the needs of the business.

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StealthMode

Well I do have Monday and Friday nights off. So letting the interviewer know about that really helps too. It's not like my schedule is completely closed off. I just need a morning job, first shift.

dacheat

you're not the only one getting the automatic turn down responses, and i have 10 years experience with reputable companies in my field. it's a shitty time in our economic history, as you're aware.

you should look into alternative licensure teaching; there are some areas that will allow you to teach with your degree while you complete a certificate program. teaching would fit your hour requirements and pay reqs.

your bilingual skills and business degree should be valuable to someone. have you looked at civil service / govt jobs?

StealthMode

This is the kind of response I was looking for. I'm not asking for advice on what I should do regarding kung fu and work. I'm definitely not giving it up, or slowing down. I just need a little feedback on what kind of jobs I can go for.

I have applied at a state job with Adams County. I got a response from them that my qualifications were impressive, but didn't fit the position as closely as someone else. They encouraged me to keep checking their site for more openings.

dacheat

go to usajobs.com and see what you see... another HS member reminded me of this site the other day and it was a good thing. i'm hoping to get something going this route myself.

phyregod

Sit down with your karate guy.. Tell him that you would like minimum wage. You aren't asking for much, and you'll transform what you are doing into something that produces an income. A shitty income, but none the less, an income. Offer to pick up a class of young kids during the evenings or something. Go out, recruit, get a class of your own new kids together and generate an extra income for the business to take care of your pay. Clean up shop, sweep, clean, do whatever you have to do.

Tell your boss at the wings place that you want a management position and a substantial pay raise. You are way over qualified for it. If he doesn't go for it, go elsewhere.

I always tell people to do what they love, reguardless of pay. But in this case, you can't keep yourself in a home and pay your bills, you're going to have to change something.

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StealthMode

I already help with all that. Asking for pay is not the point, nor is it part of the agreement. And since everyone keeps referring to it as karate, I can see that it seems like I'm pursuing fast food karate teaching. This is also not the case. This school is as close to old world monastery training as possible, as society allows nowadays. This is not Mile High Karate, it's something different entirely.

At the wings place, there are no management positions available, and I don't want to go through the "training" process that they require. I'm just working there until I find something better. I've only been working there a month and a half, so I can't ask for a raise yet. I'm only hoping to be employed there one more month in a worst-case scenario.

I'm gonna check out usajobs too, thanks. I've registered with the Adams County Workforce unemployment agency, I go in all the time and check job openings, I also access them via internet quite frequently.

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hondasaurus

try temp/staffing agencies for something 7-15$/hr, 9-5. graveyard stock boy, security, inventory. bank teller.
tried living/working closer to denver but still being close enough to commute for kung-fu?
i feel your pain on expecting more right out of school.
so 2 more years of the 0 pay kung fu then it can get you $?
can you get your own clients or conflict of interest for them? you could cater to women, kids, seniors, etc.
my kung-fu is stronger than yours.

95b16coupe

if you are going to do this kung fu no matter what, file bankruptcy, shave your head, and live like a kung fu monk. no debt, no obligation, just kung fu.

if you want to have a job and pay off debt, then get into the market.

it's not hard to find a job out there....if you are flexible.

it's obvious that you can't have both.

if you want a job....the best site ever...www.indeed.com

or www.craigslist.org....or go to a temp agency.

hondasaurus

indeed.com, nice site. paid internship. would help you get better job later on.

dacheat

just so it's clear, bk doesn't discharge all debts; in fact it is harder than hell to discharge student loans. and it can impact your ability to get some jobs (although legally you can't be disqualified from most positions due to having filed).

just thought that should be mentioned although i doubt anyone here is going to up and file to be a kung fu monk.

Slammed89Integra

Well sounds like you want your cake and to eat it too.

You need some kind of compromise, cuz not working won't pay bills.