Hummm..........
Sheriffs and CHP jobs may be the ticket since our wonderful Governor is talking about releasing prisoners early. We will need more law-enforcement officers!
"Nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill, but since we're on our way down, we might as well enjoy the ride". ("The Secret Of Life", James Taylor).
MusTangFilly wrote: This is one of those times where I think we have to hold our breath and let them go. It very well may be a great life learning experience for him. It's something he feels he has to do for himself. You could tell him everything you know, or don't know, but for him, he needs to find out for himself. Yes? And there is always the Peace Corps. There is nothing wrong with finding out what is on the other side of the fence, so to speak. He has the real urge to find out for himself, and it's somewhat of an adventure, let him go gently. You, of course, will be there if he needs you, but not to keep him from falling down, but for encouragement.
He may find work, and he may not, but he will be a better man for it. He may come back enlightened in a way you never dreamed. My youngest son joined the Peace Corps right out of college. He loved it, and got to go places he only dreamed of going. He's a better man for it, and now has a wonderful job working at Father Joe's Village helping those without jobs, find and keep a job. Many of them come back and thank him. I'm proud of my son, you will be too.
Leslie you are soooo right!....But letting go is the toughest part...For YOU (OP)!......If he makes it, he makes it......If he doesn't, then he won't regret NOT trying!
In my younger days, I threw caution to the wind and have never regretted even one second!.......I actually joined the carnival at 18 and my mother GASPED when I told her of my plan.......I REALLY learned who I was in my SHORT career as a carnie and I realized what was REALLY important to ME!
The hard knocks taught me a valuable lesson!....Let him go!
[quote=lockdoc]Thanks to all who have responded. Our son has experience with the construction trades, working for two summers doing concrete work and some carpentry. He has done quite a bit of ceramic tile work during that time too. He can run some heavy equipment like bobcat and telehandlers etc. This summer he worked on the street crew for our city and they spent a lot of time sucking sewers, patching holes in the tar and cutting trees. I hear that he makes the best ice with the Zamboni and would often be requested by some of the visiting coaches. During college last year he bussed tables for minimum wage as that was all he could find in that area.
He was halfway through a two year program for auto technician. He has a lot of Snap On tools already and was looking to have to purchase more to complete the course.
The kid is well rounded and not afraid to try anything as far as jobs go. He was raised in a Christian home and has shown that he has good morals and accepts responsibility for his actions.
I don't know what else I can tell you about him that would help your responses but I do appreciate each and every one. This has been hard on us and talking it out here and elsewhere has acted like therapy for me.
Thanks again.[/quote= lockdoc]
I am in the tool business and have been working with the automotive and construction trades here in Northern CA for almost 40 years. At this time there are some very qualified mechanics looking for jobs due to dealership closures. This is unique in the fact that there has never before been such a qualified group out job hunting in this profession. Finding a decent job with the limited training he has would be difficult and even if he did, it would be at or very close to minimum wage, most likely busting tires.
As for the construction business, there is currently little work in new construction as most of that came to an abrupt halt over a year ago. Those with experience are doing some remodel work to provide income. There is quite a bit of road construction going on, but I am sure that there is quite a bit of competition for those jobs.
Northern California is a beautiful place to live and my two children were born and raised here. Both went to California universities and graduated, one with a Phd. They both have excellent jobs and are still in their 20's (DD the Phd is 29)
Personally I am a college dropout that migrated here from Michigan with a dream 37 years ago. There were more opprotunities here then than there are currently. Things may be different in a couple of years but for now, I would not reccommend he come here with his current job experience.
When I divorced in '92, and knew I was coming back to CA, my home state, leaving OK behind. My oldest daughter gave me a very hard time about whether she should go with me. We argued about it a lot, and I understood her hesitancy. But I told her that if she didn't go with me, that she would never know what CA was like, and if she would like CA. I told her, like I've told many people that have wanted to know if they should go somewhere, or not, YOU CAN ALWAYS GO BACK! She came with me, and has never looked back. She'd worked many jobs, and now is a stay at home mom, with another on the way. We are very close.
Our son came home last night and announced that he wants to head to California and look for a job there. He has never been there before and I believe it is the thrill of the adventure that calls him. My concern is that he will get there, run out of money (that won't take long) and find himself wishing he hadn't started the process.
I don't want to kill the adventuresome spirit but I am looking for realistic expectations. Does this hard working, likable 21 year old stand a chance at finding employment that will allow him a place to live that doesn't look like the inside of his car or tent? With the economy and him having no leads to go on.....I am more than nervous for this young man. He has been very well liked at all of his previous employers including the city we live in who he worked a summer job with. They just offered to make him full time as they like the way he works but instead he wants to leave this state for a while and check out other parts of the country.
I don't expect any job offers obviously but I am looking for something that will allow me to hold out hope for my son's future and safety. If you can offer such wisdom I am eager to hear your thoughts.
Thanks in advance.
If he's 21, hardworking, and has a semi-clean background I can think of five different employers who would hire him tomorrow. They are, in no particular order: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and the Coast Guard.
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I understand the comments on the economy. It is no better here in the town I live in. As a state vs state Mn may be in a little better shape by the numbers but in our area of the state the numbers are high...so I understand where you are coming from. That was part of my concern for him but he felt a need to go and he is on his way now. I believe that he is in Colorado now. I am going to encourage his sister(who is in college in Co) to try and keep him there for a couple of days and get him to look for work there.
I understand this decision a bit more than I did 24 hours ago. I found out that he was getting pressure from his GF to take the relationship to the next level and get engaged. He did't feel totally comfortable with that and he is out exploring to make sure of what he wants of his life. I am glad that I have a relationship with his friends or I would still be trying to put more of these pieces together.
Knowing that, it is likely that our son might just make a road trip out of this to clear his head and do some mountain unicycling or even look for a job. If he lands a job where he can support himself and he loves the country that he is in.....then who knows what the outcome will be.
I don't know if he is thinking about the military option or not but that would pretty much take out the reasoning behind traveling west wouldn''t it? As a parent I have held my breath every time that discussion has come up because of the fear of losing him at war. As an American I would totally support him if he decided that was his calling. I almost joined the military when I was his age but we were at peace with the world and the assignments seemed boring to me. Let me take this time to say a huge THANK YOU to all of our men and women in our forces. Your service to this country is very much appreciated.
Thanks also for the continued stream of ideas as that was why I originally started this thread.
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Our son came home last night and announced that he wants to head to California and look for a job there. He has never been there before and I believe it is the thrill of the adventure that calls him. My concern is that he will get there, run out of money (that won't take long) and find himself wishing he hadn't started the process.
I don't want to kill the adventuresome spirit but I am looking for realistic expectations. Does this hard working, likable 21 year old stand a chance at finding employment that will allow him a place to live that doesn't look like the inside of his car or tent? With the economy and him having no leads to go on.....I am more than nervous for this young man. He has been very well liked at all of his previous employers including the city we live in who he worked a summer job with. They just offered to make him full time as they like the way he works but instead he wants to leave this state for a while and check out other parts of the country.
I don't expect any job offers obviously but I am looking for something that will allow me to hold out hope for my son's future and safety. If you can offer such wisdom I am eager to hear your thoughts.
Thanks in advance.
I compliment your son's attitude and, yes, there is always a job for an ambitious young person--may not be exactly the job he/she wants but there is always a job.
Send that boy out West with your blessing--some of these places are great areas to live in and wonderful for young people to put down roots. I don't know about the safety issues but most of the area here in the Intermountain West is about as safe as you can get anywhere in the U.S.--that's one of the things we like most about it.
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