Good job leaving ....How do I start all over at 32 years old?

Question

I am a 32 year old male with 2 young kids. I work at a factory paying $25 per hour with full benefits. I will be losing this job soon due to big business wanting cheap mexican labor- A.K.A.--- .NAFTA. I just want some insight on how to start over. I have great computer skills (my hobby). I am known for being a smart and likable person who gets along with everyone. I would hire me, but companies look at degrees. I have 2 years college and thats it! I just dont know where to start or what field to look into! Arrrggggg this is complicated!

Answer 1

I agree with David that temping is a great way to go. You may take a small cut in pay at first, but it gives you a feel for different fields and, on those days that you aren't working, you can interview for other, permanent positions.

I'd still be temping (full time, for only one company, with regular pay raises and 'promotions' from the company at which I temped--they never hired the temps, they just kept them) if health problems hadn't tripped me up. And for me, the temp job was a step way up. I was there over a year when I got sick. And if they'd stopped using me, I'd have had a different temp job within a week. Temping is not just for office workers. Laborers, management, medical professionals, tradesmen, there are agencies for all of 'em.

But I can't believe how many people thought you meant immigrants. Hey, guys, the company is sending the work to Mexico!

I think that in about two years you'll be saying that outsourcing (it's not really offshoring if it's Mexico) was the best thing that ever happened to you. And I think that in about 10 or 15, the whole country (except for those few who can't think, but we won't be sending McDonald's jobs elsewhere) will agree with you. Maybe it'll take a bit longer, but they'd better learn to accept it, 'cause it's too late to stop it.

Answer 2

It is a very tough decision to make and I feel your stress. You have the added factors of having a family to provide for, so the stress doubles.

I did the same thing about five years ago, but I did it by choice. I was making great money ($40k/yr) excellent benefits and I was simply not happy. I decided to change careers and became a Certified Chef. Went to $7.50/hr and nothing else.

I tough it out but I was doing what I loved. MY POINT is: find out if your hobby (computers) is something that you would enjoy doing 8hrs/5days a week. Most computer specialised fields pay well enough.

As for not having a degree, 4yr that is, your experience as a depedable knowledgeable worker in your past jobs will off-set the lack of degree. It computer related fields, you can get self-taught or online courses to get certifications instead of degrees. This is still valuable to your potential employers since the more certs you have , the more you add to your skill set.

Good luck with your new endeavour. It will be hard and stressful, but keep focused and I'm sure that in time, you will achieve your new goals soon.

Answer 3

I would love to introduce you to the world of home business and show you what it can do for you. Incomes of $10k/mo are very achievable if you are willing to learn and put time into it just like you do a regular job. If you have a strategy for getting started, which I could help you with, you could be earning a few thousand a month within your first few months.....so many people are doing this already and it is easier than most would think!
The investment is under $200 and you would be building residual income. Something you can never do in the work force. You would never have to worry about losing a job again.
This is something to consider while you still have an income coming in.

Answer 4

Sorry this is happening to you.

Look through the jobs in the Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/

Find something that interests you, then check the qualifications.

Then try researching specific organizations that interest you. Get the name of someone to talk to in these organizations. Then, when you mail your resume, address to the hiring managers by name. In your cover letter, say something that indicates you know what's going on in that organization and then explain how your skills and knowledge can help them achieve their goals. Have many resumes--tailor each one to the particular position that interests you. This will set you apart from the reams and files of resumes that are not addressed to anyone in particular. It's a lot more work than sending off generic resumes through mass collection vehicles, but it gets results.

People often land on their feet much better off than they were before--I hope that happens for you!

Good luck.

Answer 5

Welcome to America!

My wife worked for a manufacturing company for 23 years. They made the green boards you attach your computer chips to. $60 million a month in sales. 873 employees, working 24-hours-a-day, 7 days a week. Called CMAC.

Along comes a company from China. They buy and ship all the machines to China. Fire everyone! Close a factory that was open for 35 years.

My wife took 2 weeks off to relax and think.
Then we got busy!

We looked up EVERY employment agency in the phone book. I took her to ALL of them. She took tests at ALL of them.

She IMMEDIATELY started working again. TEMP WORK ONLY.
3 days here, 14 days there, etc. But she worked EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK. Mon-Fri. Got a weekly paycheck, and benefits.

Different agencies would call at different times. She built a rapport with the temp agencies, so the jobs got better and better.

3 months later she was offered a full time job, which she has to this day, 3 years later. Working for one of the temp agencies FULL TIME as a manager.

She found out; employers do NOT hire full time anymore. They hire temp first, then offer full time LATER to see how you work out.

While EVERYONE ELSE at her job was looking for full time work, she was working part time work. But still full time. Many of her co-workers are still looking for full time work 3 years later. They will NOT work part-time jobs. That is their choice. She had work, and that kept her self-respect. A weekly paycheck goes a long way when you get fired from a good job.

And she had 2 years of college.

And he was 49 years old when she got fired.

PS Employers at temp agencies do not look at degrees. They give you tests to see what you can do. A lot of people go to my wife's job with degrees and cannot hardly pass the tests.

Now, "Get To it!"

And good luck with your change in careers.

Answer 6

just letting you know that 32 years old is not old. Ok your question. If I were you I would take the unemployment and put yourself back in school and get extended unemployment once you are in and if that don't work get a job at night or whatever you have to do to survive while you are back in school getting some degree that interests you. I know it is gonna totally suck for a few years but if you do it you will look back at that time as a time of learning but if you don't do it and you look back at this time you will regreat your choices. If you are married or with the mother of your children see how she could help with money while you are in school.

Answer 7

I have just the business for you! It is in the music and entertainment field. We have just gotten involved in this business 30 days ago and have made close to 1,000 dollars. The next 30 days could be double or triple this. This is a great window of opportunity. Dont let this one slip by. This can change your life dramatically. Go to my website https://www.burnlounge.com/musicworx Watch the commercial at bottom center of page. If you like what you see, contact me. If you choose to get in, I will give you all the support and help you need to make this work for you and your family.
Sincerely,
Eric and Caiti

Answer 8

Doing what you love can make you hate it. I vote try to get some grants and free education. I would not join the military to get it. The benefits they offer come with too many clauses. You might consider getting certified by microsoft in windows. Maybe see what it takes to be part of the "geek squad" I spent 2 hours on the phone with bellsouth DSL tech support just to replace a modem and upgrade my DSL. I would gladly have paid someone else $100.00 to do it for me. There is definitely money in computers

Answer 9

I'd try applying for a state job. Try any of the telephone companies, ex. a computer technition for qwest. Also look into medical billing and coding, they usually go by how fast you can type and weather or not you are a fast learner. Good luck to you.

Answer 10

I would start by checking with everyone you know to find out if there are openings they know about that you could apply for. Networking this way is the best way to find work. At least, it has been for me. At the same time, check the newspapers, trade journals in your industry, and online job boards (such as monster.com) for leads. Good luck to you!