Desperate for Career Advice Pretty Please :(

[Vasilisa Jade]

I understand that I should probably see a career counselor for this but heck, I love everyone here. I haven't been here in a long time but I still pop in here and there. I don't know if a better place to ask advice.

I am one credit away from my Associates degree. I am horrible at math and when I was enrolled I was killing myself with full time school and sometimes more than full time hours to support myself, and my gpa sucks. I have to go back and fix that.

The problem is, supporting myself while I do it... getting a workable schedule to manage school.

I have been in sales for the last eight years. I put in almost six years at AT&T Mobility, but that place was BRUTAL. The sales goals were inhumanely aggressive with incredibly draconian expectations. In my town probably 70% of my clients were regular jail log traffic. I mean, belligerent, smelly, spitty, cursing, inappropriate, nasty jacked up on alcohol and drugs people nonstop. I can proudly say that I carried that store for 6 months at one time in the highest customer feedback score. There was a quota for that too, among the 50 other sales metrics we had to meet.

I am incredibly skilled at handling crazy people, and I'm a crazy magnet that's for sure. Not only can I diffuse anger like a boss, but I convinced the people to buy something, taught them what you'd think was advanced calculous - - while they dazed off and scratched their bloody sores and flicked the scabs on my counter. I also made them feel so good (without giving away the farm) that they forgot how much they hated the company, and in their drunken or opiate stupor, gave me an excellent survey score.

We had to break up fights, we saw porn all the time, we were threatened, we were cursed, we had to make people leave, we were degraded and belittled to no end, we were the villian, one of my best and funnest customers who was a business owner was also a sexual predator for assaulting a minor, and I did that for almost six years.

I didn't end up leaving because of the customers, I left because I couldn't see a future in any other avenue of the company... no growth opportunity.

I went to State Farm, AMAZING company by the way. I LOVE the corporate side of State Farm. They truly treat clients and employees like family from the inside out. I've never seen such integrity while still being able to focus on growing profit. They can grow without losing that family-like integrity. I had a night schedule, three days off a week, an electronic schedule system that made it very easy to switch schedules and accommodate family/ life/ school. I wanted to retire there. I was there less than a year, and they announced a re-alignment. They gave us eight months notice, offered a guaranteed spot for us if we relocated to one of the new locations. They were incredibly caring about the whole process but... I can't relocate.

I tried to go to an agents office and that epically failed. I don't do well in an office full of dramatic patronizing nasty women. Every office is different. That is the independent side. You don't work for State Farm anymore. You work for Susie Q at Susie Q's State Farm. No good. So now here I am, working at a car dealership.

The car business is fun. I love the people and the environment. I do well in rough around the edges kind of places. I have a leather hide for skin I really do. However, if you are in the car business, kiss your family goodbye. That's just how it is. I can't do that. I have to take care of my dad and have home time. I'd also like to grow a career and have school time you know. I'm still insurance licensed, but that office put such a bad taste in my mouth I will not work for another independent agent. Other large companies are located too far away from me. Soooo.....

That's where I am.

My thoughts are, sales is incredibly psychological. I handle people very very well. I can be professional, or I can be one of the guys and talk trash like a sailor all day, more vulgar than the devil.

Loves: Yoga, animals, dance, painting and drawing, beauty, reading/ writing, kayaking, hiking, aaaanndd death, black and doom metal. I'm IN that mosh pit baby! I've practiced a combative form of full contact mixed martial arts off and on for six years. I'm the only female. I snake hunt. I salt water fish. I practice left hand path dark arts varieties. I'm fascinated by serial killers, cannibals, and abnormal psychology in general.

So, I had my first interview with the Captain of the Corrections department at my local county jail this last Friday. I'm terrified that all he saw was my pretty side and he thinks I won't fit, but whatever. I'm thinking of changing my Major from English with a concentration in Composition and Rhetoric with a Minor in Religion, over to a Psychology Major with a Minor in Criminology or Criminal Justice.....

I don't know what I could grow out of a Corrections career, but I'm thinking I could grow something, and I would fit.

If this doesn't work out for me *fingers crossed* I might just go back to waitressing and go back to school and be more focused and mature about it this time.

What do you guys think? Any other suggestions or ideas I may consider? I'm almost 28, and I am still a little depressed that my insurance career plan didn't pan out. I have to get my crap back together soon. I'm desperate to figure my crap out. I've never been thrown up in the air like this before...

 

[Reverend Rick]

Sounds to me like you passed up an excellent opportunity that was a perfect fit for you. I know of many people who missed out on life being tied to family responsibilities.

What I see here is circular reasoning. I can't do this because of that so on and so forth.

Why can't you relocate? Move your father with you or delegate your responsibilities to someone else.

It sounds to me like sales is in your blood. Your personality would be great in car sales, but you need to polish yourself and work for a high end car dealership. Think Jaguar, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus or even aviation or high end boat brokerage. Real Estate may be an additional side line.

Bottom line, follow the money. Who has the money, who spends the money and on what?

Do you want to make 250 dollars for every car you sell or make 5K or 10K per sale?

You are good at what you do, you are still young but not too young to not be taken serious.

Your area might not be high end so you might need to move to where the money is. You have to dress the part, be manicured and groomed to the hilt and walk the walk with your head up high.

Attitude is everything and there are already too many people searching for jobs with 3 times your education level so school aint the answer unless you want to be in corrections which is not bad money but not stellar.

You have a talent! Make the most of it and command the compensation you deserve. There is only so much money in cell phones and you already figured it was a dead end street. Selling is selling and if you can handle objections and are a closer you can sell ice cubes to eskimos.

Sell high end wine, sell high end jewerly, sell fine mens suits, yes mens! You think being attractive in a womans industry is an asset?

Follow the money and let your income solve your personal problems instead of trying to do everything in your life by yourself.

Or, you could stick around on dead end street making excuses for why you can't make the big move in your life you sound like you want.

Big problems need big answers and more money is the key more times than not.

You are in the prime of your sales life. It takes a certain person to do this and YOU ARE THAT PERSON.

MAKE IT HAPPEN!

 

[Vasilisa Jade]

Thank you so much for the advice, really truly.

The truth is, people are most important to me, not money.

If I have to sacrifice family for money it's not worth it.

Our house here is paid for... Moving would be an undertaking of gargantuan proportions. The plan was to get the needed upgrades done on the house, then rent it out, then relocate. Right now we wouldn't get enough for it.

I have no one I can delegate my responsibilities to...

Despite my sales experience, the car business is different kind of animal, let me tell ya. Can't get around being a green pea but here I would prefer the term "mushroom," which is... kept in the dark and fed a bunch of crap.

Corrections is the only avenue I can think of that could fit me where I'm at, that I can build from. It's a 3 on 2 off schedule where you end up with three days off in a row every other week. It's money it's benefits and I can work tat schedule into school.

I just feel so goofed up and flipped on my head. I am pretty much over the sales field, honestly. Over it. Between that nasty office I spent two months at, and my boss at this dealership, I've been patronized enough since November to make any sane person insecure. A new girl who came in that nasty office right after me and then left soon after me as well told me they were intimidated by me... so I by no means take crap or have a weak personality. I still feel incompetent... even though I was only at the office for two months and I've only been in the car business for four months. The patronizing crap is grinding at me. I've just got to get somewhere where I can settle, stay, make a career, have family time...

 

[4consideration]

If you have a tough hide, what about being a claims adjuster?

 

[Vasilisa Jade]

I've though about that. I would have to relinquish my current license and obtain a different one but eh... same schedule situation. The hours and expectations are for single people with no family. The same situation with Catastrophe. You're gone sometimes months at a time. If I could do that if have done the military years ago

 

[4consideration]

I've though about that. I would have to relinquish my current license and obtain a different one but eh... same schedule situation. The hours and expectations are for single people with no family. The same situation with Catastrophe. You're gone sometimes months at a time. If I could do that if have done the military years ago

Just some thoughts.

Would you have to do Cat. work? Don't they have Cat. teams for that?

I know a lot has changed in the field since when I worked as an adjuster, but both jobs I had in that field were all regular business hours -- and were inside adjuster positions, rather than field adjuster positions. Maybe one of the State Farm locations you didn't relocate to (but might still know people there) could let you cover the area you live in, and do it mostly remotely. Is that an option?

What about liability claims? Liability claims are a lot different than property claims. With property claims you have a big influx after something like a hurricane, but liability claims don't usually have the tremendous surges in numbers like weather related ones. And property claims require a lot more travel for on-site issues than liability claims.

Also, don't they have satellite claims offices that are actually company offices, rather than agency offices? Would one of those be closer to you than the offices you mentioned?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

What's your degree going to be in? Does something related to your major still interest you?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

So, I had my first interview with the Captain of the Corrections department at my local county jail this last Friday. I'm terrified that all he saw was my pretty side and he thinks I won't fit, but whatever. I'm thinking of changing my Major from English with a concentration in Composition and Rhetoric with a Minor in Religion, over to a Psychology Major with a Minor in Criminology or Criminal Justice.....

I don't know what I could grow out of a Corrections career, but I'm thinking I could grow something, and I would fit.

Sorry - I just noticed you talked about your major here. Forget my last question.

If you're really interested in English, what about something involving writing?

BTW - my girlfriend tried out for a corrections job here. Different country and different organization, I know, but at least here, she had to do a written exam and a physical test. If that's the case for the jail you applied to, would you be able to do the tests to show you're serious and that you can do the job?

 

[Vasilisa Jade]

Just some thoughts.

Would you have to do Cat. work? Don't they have Cat. teams for that?

I know a lot has changed in the field since when I worked as an adjuster, but both jobs I had in that field were all regular business hours -- and were inside adjuster positions, rather than field adjuster positions. Maybe one of the State Farm locations you didn't relocate to (but might still know people there) could let you cover the area you live in, and do it mostly remotely. Is that an option?

What about liability claims? Liability claims are a lot different than property claims. With property claims you have a big influx after something like a hurricane, but liability claims don't usually have the tremendous surges in numbers like weather related ones. And property claims require a lot more travel for on-site issues than liability claims.

Also, don't they have satellite claims offices that are actually company offices, rather than agency offices? Would one of those be closer to you than the offices you mentioned?

Oh no I wouldn't have to do Cat work, but people talked about Cat a lot when I was there. They said its great money, just on the road all the time.

For claims or adjusting I would have to give up the license I have and get a different one. It is an idea... I'm going to look more into it. The Claims department where I was is going to be relocated as well, but that doesn't meant there may not be other claims departments around here... although claims is usually a step superior to sales and I may be under qualified it still can't hurt.

 

[Vasilisa Jade]

Sorry - I just noticed you talked about your major here. Forget my last question.

If you're really interested in English, what about something involving writing?

BTW - my girlfriend tried out for a corrections job here. Different country and different organization, I know, but at least here, she had to do a written exam and a physical test. If that's the case for the jail you applied to, would you be able to do the tests to show you're serious and that you can do the job?

Oh yeah, where I'm at they sponsor you through school. They pay you hourly plus the cost of schooling. Then you do the physical and written test to pass the state certification. Trust me if I can get that 2-20 insurance license I can pass any state test with training. It was the most intense insane test I've ever taken lol.

I just saw where they took the open position for female officer down from their website. *fingers crossed* lol

 

[Vasilisa Jade]

Update

I got hired for Corrections, I finished the academy at the end of June, and I only have a few more weeks of field training left. So far, its cool

See my Precognative Dream thread in the LHP DIR lol

 

[factseeker88]

I understand that I should probably see a career counselor for this but heck, I love everyone here. I haven't been here in a long time but I still pop in here and there. I don't know if a better place to ask advice.

I am one credit away from my Associates degree. I am horrible at math and when I was enrolled I was killing myself with full time school and sometimes more than full time hours to support myself, and my gpa sucks. I have to go back and fix that.

The problem is, supporting myself while I do it... getting a workable schedule to manage school.

I have been in sales for the last eight years. I put in almost six years at AT&T Mobility, but that place was BRUTAL. The sales goals were inhumanely aggressive with incredibly draconian expectations. In my town probably 70% of my clients were regular jail log traffic. I mean, belligerent, smelly, spitty, cursing, inappropriate, nasty jacked up on alcohol and drugs people nonstop. I can proudly say that I carried that store for 6 months at one time in the highest customer feedback score. There was a quota for that too, among the 50 other sales metrics we had to meet.

I am incredibly skilled at handling crazy people, and I'm a crazy magnet that's for sure. Not only can I diffuse anger like a boss, but I convinced the people to buy something, taught them what you'd think was advanced calculous - - while they dazed off and scratched their bloody sores and flicked the scabs on my counter. I also made them feel so good (without giving away the farm) that they forgot how much they hated the company, and in their drunken or opiate stupor, gave me an excellent survey score.

We had to break up fights, we saw porn all the time, we were threatened, we were cursed, we had to make people leave, we were degraded and belittled to no end, we were the villian, one of my best and funnest customers who was a business owner was also a sexual predator for assaulting a minor, and I did that for almost six years.

I didn't end up leaving because of the customers, I left because I couldn't see a future in any other avenue of the company... no growth opportunity.

I went to State Farm, AMAZING company by the way. I LOVE the corporate side of State Farm. They truly treat clients and employees like family from the inside out. I've never seen such integrity while still being able to focus on growing profit. They can grow without losing that family-like integrity. I had a night schedule, three days off a week, an electronic schedule system that made it very easy to switch schedules and accommodate family/ life/ school. I wanted to retire there. I was there less than a year, and they announced a re-alignment. They gave us eight months notice, offered a guaranteed spot for us if we relocated to one of the new locations. They were incredibly caring about the whole process but... I can't relocate.

I tried to go to an agents office and that epically failed. I don't do well in an office full of dramatic patronizing nasty women. Every office is different. That is the independent side. You don't work for State Farm anymore. You work for Susie Q at Susie Q's State Farm. No good. So now here I am, working at a car dealership.

The car business is fun. I love the people and the environment. I do well in rough around the edges kind of places. I have a leather hide for skin I really do. However, if you are in the car business, kiss your family goodbye. That's just how it is. I can't do that. I have to take care of my dad and have home time. I'd also like to grow a career and have school time you know. I'm still insurance licensed, but that office put such a bad taste in my mouth I will not work for another independent agent. Other large companies are located too far away from me. Soooo.....

That's where I am.

My thoughts are, sales is incredibly psychological. I handle people very very well. I can be professional, or I can be one of the guys and talk trash like a sailor all day, more vulgar than the devil.

Loves: Yoga, animals, dance, painting and drawing, beauty, reading/ writing, kayaking, hiking, aaaanndd death, black and doom metal. I'm IN that mosh pit baby! I've practiced a combative form of full contact mixed martial arts off and on for six years. I'm the only female. I snake hunt. I salt water fish. I practice left hand path dark arts varieties. I'm fascinated by serial killers, cannibals, and abnormal psychology in general.

So, I had my first interview with the Captain of the Corrections department at my local county jail this last Friday. I'm terrified that all he saw was my pretty side and he thinks I won't fit, but whatever. I'm thinking of changing my Major from English with a concentration in Composition and Rhetoric with a Minor in Religion, over to a Psychology Major with a Minor in Criminology or Criminal Justice.....

I don't know what I could grow out of a Corrections career, but I'm thinking I could grow something, and I would fit.

If this doesn't work out for me *fingers crossed* I might just go back to waitressing and go back to school and be more focused and mature about it this time.

What do you guys think? Any other suggestions or ideas I may consider? I'm almost 28, and I am still a little depressed that my insurance career plan didn't pan out. I have to get my crap back together soon. I'm desperate to figure my crap out. I've never been thrown up in the air like this before...

Take any sales job you can get, and don't be afraid to ask questions of older pros, learn from your mistakes and in time you will become an older pro.