Shameless self-promotion and networking request

[CarlLaFong]

I am continually amazed at the turn so many threads seem to take on this board. There is a commonality to many of them, that is, being hijacked by one person in, particular. I'm no psychiatrist, but I see signs of passive aggressive behavior. I have made some comments, on previous threads, and have been chastised for them, mostly via PMs. I was told that I should be more compassionate. I'm sorry, but I believe that every person makes their own bed and has to sleep in it. Granted, there are victims everywhere who had no choice in the fate that befell them. You need to have a plan B. Unless you grew up under a rock, you had opportunities. Teachers who would have gladly helped you to learn a skill or a trade. Programs to help if you lacked certain abilities. People who would have jumped at the chance to mentor you. I have little sympathy for the professional victim.

[RioWilson]

I am continually amazed at the turn so many threads seem to take on this board. There is a commonality to many of them, that is, being hijacked by one person in, particular. I'm no psychiatrist, but I see signs of passive aggressive behavior. I have made some comments, on previous threads, and have been chastised for them, mostly via PMs. I was told that I should be more compassionate. I'm sorry, but I believe that every person makes their own bed and has to sleep in it. Granted, there are victims everywhere who had no choice in the fate that befell them. You need to have a plan B. Unless you grew up under a rock, you had opportunities. Teachers who would have gladly helped you to learn a skill or a trade. Programs to help if you lacked certain abilities. People who would have jumped at the chance to mentor you. I have little sympathy for the professional victim.

I wish I could have said this better myself... but I can't... this is pure brilliance. I really couldn't agree more.

[Phooey]

CarlLafong, I am in total agreement with you. While I do have compassion for people going through tough times and can certainly empathize with the frustrations of trying to change jobs or just find one I resent being beat over the head with the same "woe is me" statements repeated constantly on multiple threads. I am more than happy to help someone who wants to help themself and will provide whatever "networking" assistance that I can offer but you can only "lead a horse to water, you can't make him drink".

Now back to the original thread. Let's help this lady find a job that is worthy of her knowledge and skill.

[S. Heisley]

Jeff, it sounds like you are near some very good technical, biology-related companies that are currently unable to start up new projects.
That doesn't mean that there isn't a job there. Also, moving doesn't sound like a really good option for you at present. So, I would suggest trying to get an entry level job, not necessarily in her field, at one of those companies. Sometimes, even with a degree, you have to start at the bottom. But, what that does is get your foot in the door so you can prove yourself to be a trustworthy and good employee. A lot of times, companies hire from inside first, meaning that those who are already working for the company get first dibs on any openings that occur. That benefits the existing employees, management, and the company, too. Everybody within the company, then, is happy. This is where that BS or MS or PHD comes into play because she can beat out all the other internal competition. Meanwhile, I suggest that she continue to take maybe one class a semester, to help keep her skills current and to possibly work towards that MS or whatever the next step is. (The more you know and do, the more valuable you become...and stay.) Also, continue to send out her resume periodically, so that her request stays at the top of the pile and her squeaky wheel is more likely to get greased. With every interview, even if you don't get that particular position, there is a chance that the interviewer will remember you when the next spot opens up. So, even getting to go on an interview can become a precious stepping stone to ones future. Best wishes to you.

[Phooey]

Sharon has made some very good points. Checking back in with a company and following your resume with a phone call, note or personal visit to HR will give you a more personal connection and put an actual face and identity in their minds. Good luck!

[jeff0520]

Laurie and Jeff, have the two of you ever thought about relocating to Canada?
Your skills are in demand here and I think you guys would enjoy our lifestyle here
Just don't bring Slow with you

Well, Laurie has sent resumes to firms in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, but has received no replies. Its surely an option that is on the table, but the first step is finding a company willing to sponsor her. So far, no takers.

[jeff0520]

Has she looked at Boeing? I know they have one of their Defense locations in Huntsville. Even as an office admin, she would be making $40k+ a year. Not bad until she finds something more desirable.

Yes, Boeing is one of her most promising prospects. She has had several phone interviews for positions there, but so far, they have always picked someone else.

[jeff0520]

Despite what Slow keeps saying, things are not like that everywhere. Here in the State of Maine.. we have 4000 unfilled technical jobs. We currently don't have the people available with the skills to fill them. I know my friend at a local larger Machine shop, can't get enough people.

While I don't know specific available jobs. Jackson Labs in Bar Harbor would be a place I would look into. Lohmann Animal Health is another. Just to name a couple.

Thanks for the tip. :-) Laurie spent few hours sending out resumes this evening and those are on the list

[jeff0520]

Hi Jeff,

Don't know much about biology, as the song goes, but it seems that I was surrounded by environmental biologists of all sorts for awhile. A couple of the most financially successful worked for companies that do environmental surveys, monitoring and compliance. State & federal government, oil, mining and other resource companies pay the bill.

And just have to say, consider Alaska. It's a part of this country that's doing well and has opportunity for those that strive. Good luck.

Fred

I would LOVE. To move to Alaska, but so far nobody seems interested. The only response we got was from a University in Fairbanks that offered an unpaid internship to reduce the cost of graduate school. We considered it, but the temperature of the conversation became a little chilly when they found out Laurie was married and couldn't be housed in a dorm room.

[jeff0520]

Well, after talking to Laurie I think we have a plan of action. She checked into teaching requirements and discovered that all she lacks is 12 credit hours of education theory. Her real love, and where her real talent lies is in DNA sequencing and analysis. When she applies for those jobs a question keeps coming up about post-grad study in microbiology and advanced study in DNA structure. Starting in the fall she is going to start taking one class per semester alternating between educational theory and post-grad advanced biology.
its a slow process, but at least its a plan till a better opportunity comes along.

[nevadatear]

Sounds like a great plan. She may want to consider applying now to be a substitute teacher. Every district in the world is always looking for subs. This way she can get her feet wet and see if it is something she wants to continue with . Every state is different, but in NV, a teaching credential is NOT required to be a sub, only a minimum number of college credits. in other states, it is. Since she is only working part time at the big box place, she could possibly put in a day or two subbing/week. Generally the way it works is she is on a list and called when needed (or sent a message/ or some sort of computer alert system). She gets to choose the level (i.e. elementary, middle school, secondary). She always has the option to turn the day down. Here in NV the pay varies by district, but generally it is in the range of 85-$110/day. You won't get rich, but it will help, and get her foot in the door. I can't think of a sub yet in my district who wanted a teaching job that hasn't been hired within 2 years of starting to sub. Also, long term sub positions will often come up. For example, we have an opening right now for a long term teacher sub for a special needs classroom that will be until the end of the year.

[jeff0520]

Sounds like a great plan. She may want to consider applying now to be a substitute teacher. Every district in the world is always looking for subs. This way she can get her feet wet and see if it is something she wants to continue with . Every state is different, but in NV, a teaching credential is NOT required to be a sub, only a minimum number of college credits. in other states, it is. Since she is only working part time at the big box place, she could possibly put in a day or two subbing/week. Generally the way it works is she is on a list and called when needed (or sent a message/ or some sort of computer alert system). She gets to choose the level (i.e. elementary, middle school, secondary). She always has the option to turn the day down. Here in NV the pay varies by district, but generally it is in the range of 85-$110/day. You won't get rich, but it will help, and get her foot in the door. I can't think of a sub yet in my district who wanted a teaching job that hasn't been hired within 2 years of starting to sub. Also, long term sub positions will often come up. For example, we have an opening right now for a long term teacher sub for a special needs classroom that will be until the end of the year.

Funny you mention special needs kids. Laurie has talked about teaching special needs because of her own experience. As a 37 year old college student she hit an academic wall when she got to college calculus. It turned out she had a previously undiscovered learning disability called dyscalculia (Sp?) Her academic advisor immediately told her their was no way she could earn a hard science degree with a math related learning disability, and told her she needed to switch majors to something like psychology or sociology. Laurie looked him in the eye and said "hide in the bushes and watch." She got C's in those classes by studying her heart out and earned her science degree anyway. As you can imagine, she has a serious problem with anyone being discouraged from trying because of a "special needs" label. In 2011 she was invited to speak at an orientation dinner for arriving special needs college students and their families and got to tell her story. I'm very proud of her :-D

[nevadatear]

As you should be! Way to show them , Laurie!

[Maureenm]

Yay, Laurie! As a special Ed teacher, I am very familiar with students that have similar math related learning disabilities. It is often misunderstood and underindentified.I'm so glad you didn't let anyone talk you out of going into the hard sciences and that you showed them a thing or two. Congrats! Sounds like you have a good plan moving forward. That's how it's done!

[Fenlason]

As you should be! Way to show them , Laurie!

Yes Ditto...

I had never heard of dyscalculia... interesting.

It sounds like you have a plan in place for moving forward. Good luck.