Career Advice

I'm currently drifting by at my job and don't know what direction to go. I've mentioned before, but will again, I'm a dealer at my local casino. I've been there for 2 years and I've been for the most part frustrated with it for 18 months. I want to change my career but I simply don't know what to do. I'll give a little background.

In May 2009, at the age of 23 I graduated from a small liberal arts college with a degree in math and psychology. I really enjoyed the psychology aspect, but really found myself interested in the experimental side of things. I was heavily considering getting a Master's in Biostatistics. But by the last semester of undergrad I was burnt out. I was ready to be done with school for awhile. The following fall I taught Pre-Algebra at a community college. Yes PRE Algebra. I couldn't teach full time because that would require a teaching certification or Master's. I definitely know I don't want to teach.

I've considered studying for the first and second actuarial exams, but I'm just not sure if that would be the job for me. It sounds like it could be very interesting and obviously the pay is good, but I wonder if some of the details of the job would make it undesirable. I'm not really sure if I want to get my Master's because I don't feel like collecting more debt, or not be able to pay down some of my debt. Where I work now pays pretty well for the area, especially since it requires no education and is very easy work in general. The pay is the biggest thing that is holding me back, because changing careers might lead to $5/hr pay cut.

All I really know is I want to work with numbers and analysis. Ideally this would be in a medical or psychological field. Working on new research in those fields, applying statistical analysis to figure out stuff about the brain or genetics sounds like a dream job. I probably can't do that for awhile, but if I could do ANYTHING that's similar I think I would be happy. I wasn't a stellar student in college, and actually got two D's in math classes, but I still consider myself very intelligent--I hate to quantify it this way, but I have an UNOFFICIAL IQ of 134. Because of this I feel like I deserve to have a career that carries a little more importance. I also tend to have a superiority complex and elitist attitude towards most of my coworkers.

I enjoyed programming in C++ in college, and in one of my psychology classes we used SASS to analyze some date, so a job where I get to program in SASS sounds great too. I feel like SOME further education is needed if I am to find another job that pays equivalent or greater than what I make now, but something that's not going to add to my debt a great deal I am okay with.

Are there any ideas out there for me?? Any advice would be much appreciated..

P.S. I work third shift, and should've been in bed an hour ago, so I feel like this post was a bit disorganized and "rambly" .. ha

A few pieces of advice for you from someone who had to take a pay cut to be in a happier place.

You don't say where you live or how long you lived there, but your post shows signs of a person who needs a change of scenery. I am kind of guessing you live in the same city or at least region where you grew up or/and spent most of your life. You look to have considered several careers but are going in circles. Being intelligent and in your 20s you seem to have worked your way into a better-than-average position which you go from tolerating to hating. Been there, done that.

My prescription is that change of scenery. And I mean a fairly big move. Though it is scary, it is not as hard as you think. I could write an entire series of articles on how to do it and the benefits, but believe me I wish I had tried it younger than I did. A new city gives new adventures and new ideas. The "big employers" are different. If you can deal with roommates, get on Craigslist and find a place. Just meeting a few new people can have a recharge effect on your life. Yes, you may find you moved in with jerks, try another place then. It saves loads of money to pay student debt with and the connections are worthwhile.

Next, actually first since this is the easy part, go buy (not library, you will be writing in the book) the newest copy of "What Color is Your Parachute?" The book is filled with exercises to direct you to where you should live; what kind of work you want to do; and what industry you should be in. For example, you seem to want something math related. You seem to be drawn to medical. The book will ask where you may want to live. Overlap the circles and you get some targets.

"More education" is NOT the answer right now. I don't care how politically incorrect it sounds. Rick Santorum was correct in that just getting education for education sake is not a solution. My position on advanced degrees is that they are for only the best students right out of school (<3.5 GPA need not apply) OR if you are already in the workforce and need it for a speciffic and definate possibility to move up. (eg: an engineer who needs to learn business because he got a promotion and now is in charge of profitability and not just building things.) You are not right out of school nor are you on a definate path. So many people say "go back to school" to avoid what really needs to be done. Do not fall into this trap.

Job suggestions might be to get in at a health insurance provider in claims, then use that as a launchpad to their risk management areas.

One big slice of advice if you relocate. You have to do it before you get the serious job. I explained this in detail to someone here before, but no employer takes a resume from out-of-town seriously except at very, very high levels. Even then it would require a recruiter to call you. Good luck.

I always am a cheerleader for the actuarial profession, and this case is no exception. In particular, I would suggest the track of a consulting actuary, where you work on miscellaneous different assignment for various clients. It is not as repetitive as the actuaries who work in insurance. To be honest, your background in psychology is not going to help much. Hopefully you can get clients in the medical field, but no guarantees. Visit SOA.org for more information on the profession.

Theres always professional gambler. ok i got no buisness in this topic im out. :)

Quote: rainman

Theres always professional gambler. ok i got no buisness in this topic im out. :)

I was thinking the exact same thing.

Let's see, you're 26 years old with no experience relating to your degree being three years out of college.

You're screwed. No one will hire you in this job market because you didn't immediately jump into your field after you graduated and ended up doing something mundane. Your job experience is casino.

My advice for you is to go back for your masters in the field that you select, attend job fairs, and find a job in your field. I don't think you'll succeed in your field otherwise.

My career is absolutely unrelated to my final degree (meteorology), something that I absolutely regret, and while I probably make more money in this career (software consulting) than I would have ever made in weather forecasting, I know that forecasting was my passion. There were no jobs when I graduated and I was forced to do something else (accounting) to make ends meet. I then used my skills in programming and software from high school and college odd jobs to build a career in accounting software, which is what I'll retire on. Mind you, I really LIKE what I do and wouldn't choose a different path in my line of work.

I wouldn't care about debt so much. You live your life once, and that the last thing you would want I think to do, 20 years from now is to be sitting on WizardofEverything.com lamenting how you wished you had stopped dealing cards instead of doing something you love.

I'm no expert in the biomedical fields, but I'd bet that if you wanted to do any serious work there, you'd need an advanced degree. On the other hand, applying math and software skills to business problems is something you can do right now -- there are tons of software jobs available almost everywhere.

Do you want to leverage your gaming experience? If you do, now's the right time to join an online gaming software company. Here's a sampling of the recent acquisitions and development in the space:
- Caesars Entertainment acquired Playtika (makers of a slot machine simulation on Facebook);
- IGT acquired DoubleDown Interactive (also a Facebook casino game vendor);
- Bally Technologies announced its own Interactive division and acquired a B2B iGaming platform called Chiligaming;
- ShuffleMaster hired a former Zynga executive and started their own Interactive division.
- Zynga announced a casino effort and released Slingo
There are several more that I'm aware of but can't discuss publicly; the point is that this market niche is exploding right now. And for what it's worth, there's a lot of psychology and math involved in developing products for gamblers (and marketing to them).

Or a safer transition might be to start a little consulting but keep your dealing job until you figure it out. I don't know how effective that will be where you currently live. If you're willing to relocate, you'll have a lot more options.

One bit of advice: it's not how big your IQ is, it's what you do with it. Don't develop an entitlement complex because of a score from a test you took when you were a kid. There are plenty of lazy geniuses, and also plenty of hard-working people of average or sub-average intelligence. Society looks more favorably on the latter, and this is decidedly not an intelligence-based meritocracy. If you're hard working and intelligent, you'll do fine, but drop the superiority complex toward your fellow coworkers or you'll face a lot of backlash at any job. Like Soylent Green, corporations are made of people.

One more piece of career advice. You should be registered on LinkedIn and involved in "groups" that relate to what you want to do. You would be amazed how much useful info you can get guidance on.

I was in a foul mood when I read this hours earlier. Had just received word that my niece, age 39, was dead of an overdose. I last saw Mary Francis at age 16. Wife and I and kids were heading to the airport, moving to Houston. I remember she was barefoot at the time, hopping on one foot, then the other , on the hot Baltimore street. I have mellowed in my old age, so my first thought was NOT
to send my unadopted son, Louis Martinez, the white Mexican, to put her dealer in the hospital.

I am sure her kid btother, Little Murray, will take care of that when he gets out of prison. When LM was a kid, 13, he stayed with me in Denver one summer. Nice kid, no problems. At 20 he called from Baltimore and wanted to come stay with me. He was working at a tire factory, brutal work, and his wife had moved in with the guy next door. He got as far as Wheeling, West Virginia, called his Mom, and drove back to Baltimore. Third time in the joint for him. All I can do now is put money on his books. Doubt they will even let him out for Mary Francis's funeral. But now to the task at hand!

PROFESSIONAL GAMBLER +++++++++ ROFLMAO ++++++++++++++++

This kid has loser written all over him. Another kid born on third base, who thinks he has hit a triple.

IQ of 134 and 2 D's in math class. Tried the noblest profession know to man, and decided that was not for him.

Might consider a career change except but that $5 an hour pay cut NO WAY Next somebody will be suggesting he deal part-time after getting a career change.

And no student loans, please. They actually expect you to pay them back. Talk about unfair.

PROFESSIONAL GAMBLER. Yeah, this loser has the discipline needed. Can you see him skipping a meal,, so he will have stake money for a game? Think he has ever flown a kite? Think he even knows what that means?

And certainly he is entitled to his elitist attitude and feeling superior to his co-workers. They probably did not even go to college!
If they did, they might struggle to get a C in Math.

When I was hustling and ran into a kid like this, I prayed daddy own a clothing store or some kind of Business. You think a dealer would be enamored with this loser's personality and steer him into a easy game, or more likely, called a player, ask for half his action against this chump.

Before anybody rats me out to the Wiz for a personal attack, he asked for advice. And that's what I gave him.

Grow the F*** up. You were born in and are a citizen of the USA, eligible for student loans, probably don't have a health problem at all, Probably unmarked, no fight scars. never played $10 eight ball with $5 in your pocket,

You bring new meaning to the old saying " The shame of youth is that it is wasted on the young. "

and another old saying
"no fool like an old fool"

like you had all the answers at 25?
why are you so bitter?

I am not bitter and I was dumb as a rock at 26. But I never felt superior or an elitist. But I would like to think that if
I had an opportunity to go to college, an IQ of 134, I would not be saying I got two D's in Math !

Easy Buzz, he did ask for advice but I have read your post a couple of times now.....not sure I see any constructive "advice" in there.

Quote: buzzpaff

At 20 he called from Baltimore and wanted to come stay with me. He was working at a tire factory, brutal work, and his wife had moved in with the guy next door. He got as far as Wheeling, West Virginia, called his Mom, and drove back to Baltimore. Third time in the joint for him. "

So its a capital crime to drive to W Virginia from Baltimore?
I don't get why he went to prison.

AZDuffman I'm not sure if it's cause yours was the first reply but you seemed to have all the right answers for me. You're right that I live very near where I grew up and just moved out of my parents house four months ago. I've considered a big move in the past but it's never seemed plausible. I started to think about family that I have in Florida and California. I'm in Iowa, so either of those would definitely be a big move.

What started me on this path recently is last night I got my yearly performance review. A lot of it was Meets Expectations. The comments were that I'm okay at the job but need to interact more. They gave me goals that I need to learn the last two games that I don't know how to deal. My boss even said: "I don't know if this is your chosen profession or not, but you should want to be here." I was screaming in my head that this is NOT what I want to do and I really should get a new job.

I've also thought that getting an advanced degree may not even be necessary until later if I get into the career field I want.

Thank you all for the feedback. I'll come back later to see if there's more. In the meantime I might make a few phone calls to some relatives about the possibility of letting me crash at their place, or at least help me get on my feet if I do decide to move.

I was in a similar position as you are. I feel the degree was a waste of money, although I should have known better than to get a BA in psychology. I just listened to everyone who said a college degree will get you a job. Moving from SF to Las Vegas really helped me in a lot of ways. I was stuck in such a rut living with my parents and making beans working at the bagel shop and the card room. Here I only make a little bit more than I did when I lived in SF, but it is enough to pay the bills and let me have a small entertainment budget. I would really think carefully if the advanced degree is really worth the extra debt, especially since the job market is so bad.

Hey Bob, it was not a crime to drive back to Baltimore. But things did not go well for him back there. I have 3 daughters, no sons except my unadopted son , Louis Martinez the white Mexican. I think things would have turned out a lot better for Little Murray if he had finished driving to Denver.

Quote: buzzpaff

Louis Martinez the white Mexican. .

There are lots of white Mexicans in Mexico, from European
decent. Do they call themselves 'white Mexicans', I've never
heard that phrase before. It sounds somewhat racist.

I can understand the racist overtones. Louis was adopted by a Mexican family named Martinez, Everytime he went job hunting, met new people, he was greeted by, " But, you are white." His adopted Dad died when Louis was 9 or 10. By the time I met him he had already been in prison once. He was dating my daughter.

I let him work on my car, do odd jobs around the house, etc for cash. I have a bad habit for saying things " Like hand me that socket wrench son ". Instead of unadopted, I should say accidentally adopted. After they broke up, my daughter told me Louis was proud that I thought of him as my son.

Next time Louis was busted for drugs, I was the one visiting his Mom in the assisted living home. Helped him get a job after his release and he has been on straight and narrow ever since.

But I will drop the White Mexican reference in the future.
Thanks BOB

i thought that white mexican were called güeros or blancos...but i am not sure if that is a racist term

My advice for you...figure out and follow your dream as soon as you can!

Quote: ewjones080

AZDuffman I'm not sure if it's cause yours was the first reply but you seemed to have all the right answers for me. You're right that I live very near where I grew up and just moved out of my parents house four months ago. I've considered a big move in the past but it's never seemed plausible. I started to think about family that I have in Florida and California. I'm in Iowa, so either of those would definitely be a big move.

What started me on this path recently is last night I got my yearly performance review. A lot of it was Meets Expectations. The comments were that I'm okay at the job but need to interact more. They gave me goals that I need to learn the last two games that I don't know how to deal. My boss even said: "I don't know if this is your chosen profession or not, but you should want to be here." I was screaming in my head that this is NOT what I want to do and I really should get a new job.

I've also thought that getting an advanced degree may not even be necessary until later if I get into the career field I want.

Thank you all for the feedback. I'll come back later to see if there's more. In the meantime I might make a few phone calls to some relatives about the possibility of letting me crash at their place, or at least help me get on my feet if I do decide to move.

Iowans are good stock.

You are wise to seek career advice from unique sources, e.g. A gambling forum. There are smart people here who have seen lots of different things. My oldest son, who is your age, got himself out of state (to Denver, Buzz!) and is very glad he did so.

Take a pen and a pad, and place them by your bedstand for one week straight. Write down your career thoughts in light of the advice you are attaining here and elsewhere. Your decision will ensue.

I know my reply lacked any real advice, except to maybe do some self examination. You do not need a psychology degree to
figure out something is not quite tight here. I mean 2 college degrees, an IQ of 134 , yet 2 D 's in math. Willing to do almost
anything to chase his dreams, well anything except take a pay cut or incur more student loan debt.

He is on third shift, so has all day to be knocking on doors for an entry level job. Most big companies will pick up the tab for college classes. Or save some money and set sail for wherever. He's 25, not 65.

Best wishes, kid, whatever you do. But do something. Life is too damn short. None of us is gonna get out of here alive !!!

Various thoughts:

1 - Not sure what "some of the details of the job would make it undesirable" means related to an actuarial job. Everything I've read states that actuaries enjoy some of the best working conditions of any job around. All of the actuaries I know (6-8 of them) are very satisfied with their jobs and lives in general.

2 - You want to work with numbers and analysis? There are other positions in healthcare and insurance that do that without requiring a passing the actuarial exams. I'm an Underwriter for one of the largest health insurance companies in the country. I price Health, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, and EAP products for employer groups. I have a Finance Degree and nothing more. I make decent money (not $100k, but I'm comfortable enough), have a pretty normal 40 hour work week, get a nice selection of PTO and benefits, and have an interesting job with enough routine to get good at it but enough variety to keep it interesting.

In addition, I know of Business Analysts and Project Managers at my company who have similar backgrounds and interests who also enjoy the same perks I do. Many of them have some programming skills like you mentioned.

3 - To echo other respondents, forget the intelligence and superiority complex you have in your head. You don't deserve a better career based on your test scores. You aren't entitled to anything like that. A truly intelligent person would realize that in today's economy, results matter far more than education or background. The ability to be a team player means you will have to deal effectively with dumb-ass coworkers at some point.

4 - The good news is that there's hope for you. I didn't get started in my career until age 26, and I half fell into it by luck. If I can make it work, so can you. (Maybe not, I tested at 137. Those 3 points could make a big difference!) ;^D

5 - Stay flexible. You've mentioned a lot of specifics that you want in a job. Since you have a high IQ, you no doubt realize that there probably isn't a single job out that that incorporates all of those things. Ask yourself some what-if questions, and analyze the results. What if the research was not medical or psychological, but the analysis and programming were what you are looking for? What if the programming was in some completely new language/system you had to learn first? What if you found the perfect position, but it only paid $45k, or was located in Concordia, KS?

Join the service, preferably Air Force.

Become an intelligence officer.

Excel.

Get recruited by NSA.

'Nuf said.

I feel like I need to reiterate that an eletist attitude will get you nowhere. The sad part is that this is who you are and it's unlikely that you will ever change your views.

For one to succeed, it takes the right balance between natural ability and hard work, but natural ability is nothing without hard work. This is evidenced by your Ds in math.

I learned to be humble when I was in junior high. There was a guy who always out scored everyone in math. After every exam, he would ask other people what they got. I would say "94" and he would reply "ha, I got a 97." I hated that kid. I moved away for 3 years then came back to go to college. At orientation, I ran into this guy. We both did very well in school, but he taught me one of the most important lessons in my life. Thankfully, he lost the attitude and turned out to be a nice guy.

Quote: buzzpaff

Grow the F*** up.

For this, and other such remarks early in this thread, Buzz asked to be suspended for three days, which I agreed to.

Let this be a reminder that gentlemanly behavior is expected of all on this forum.

Quote: CrystalMath

but natural ability is nothing without hard work. .

"Invention is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." Edison.

Somebody else said unrewarded genius is so commonplace
its almost not worth mentioning.

Einstein worked his ass off on his major theory and still had
it wrong for a long time.

Mozart was a workaholic who composed non stop for money
most of his short life.

Hard work is the hallmark of success, not brain power.
Although it does help..

Actually, I got into my career due to placement from a temp agency, doing some very low level budget entry in health care. My manager at the time (now my best friend, 18 years later) noticed that I was very fast, and then I offered some ways to speed up the data entry using macros you could program in on the (mainframe) keyboard to make the entry faster. Other people in the office took notice and continued my temporary assignment in Payables, doing more data entry of invoices into their computer system. Eventually, I went from being a casual employee to being a regular FTE. They allowed me to take some accounting courses on their time and I grew in the organization. They allowed me to work on special projects, such as a time-entry database, writing financial reports, and using their new ERP.

That got me the experience I needed to get into consulting. But if it wasn't for the astronomy / physics / meteorology graduate lowering oneself to do the low level budget entry, I wouldn't be making the living I do today in a job that I like very much. There was alot of hard work along the way, and I certainly always had to prove myself.

Now, in my 40s, I know when I need to prove myself and when I can just coast.

Quote: ewjones080

I was screaming in my head that this is NOT what I want to do and I really should get a new job.
I've also thought that getting an advanced degree may not even be necessary until later if I get into the career field I want.

An advanced degree is almost never necessary if you're involved in most businesses. The times when it comes in handy are
a) if there are regulatory restrictions on participating without one (JD for law, MD for medicine, etc.)
b) when, by industry custom, an advanced degree earns a higher salary (MA for teaching, etc.)
c) if you're actually doing new research in science, in which case a Ph.D. both lends you credibility and puts you in good stead to understand what's already been done.
You'd probably need an MBA if you want to do I-banking or management consulting, but you also usually need an undergrad degree from a top school. It doesn't sound like that's your cup of tea anyway.

You're too young to torpedo your career doing something you hate. It would be a different story if you liked dealing and wanted to move up the gaming operations ladder, but it sounds like you don't want any of that. So why are you still dealing?

All I will add is that if you wait long enough, a career will eventually be forced on you. Now is when you get to pick it, so pick wisely.

Quote: MathExtremist

An advanced degree is almost never necessary if you're involved in most businesses. The times when it comes in handy are

My son is a major in the AF and degree's are part
and parcel of the job now. He has two degree's
and has to get a third if he ever wants to make
colonel. For every 3000 major's that apply for
promotion, only about 400 are chosen. The more
degree's you have the better you'll do, plain and
simple.

My advice is, put in the time when you're young and
get educated, it never hurts and always helps.

I was talking to this guy at work, and I had mentioned that it's more motivation for me. I don't find myself motivated enough to get out there and start looking. I wasn't motivated enough in college to do better in those last two math classes. I had little interest in them. I did enjoy Probability and Statistics, but had to withdraw from that semester, and only got about 1/3 through the course.

So I guess it's hard to get motivated to find a different job and have less money. But I know that this is my downfall. I've even tried to blame my own shortcomings on my high school, to say that I wasn't challenged enough and could put in very little effort and still get A's and B's. But in reality I think it's more of a personality thing. There are things that I feel like I should care more about that I don't.

Thanks again for all the replies, there's some really good stuff in here.

Quote: ewjones080

There are things that I feel like I should care more about that I don't.

The vast majority of people in the world are destined to lead
lives of mediocrity, maybe you're one of them. At least you're
not alone. What you're saying is, you're not passionate about
anything. You can't 'follow your bliss' because you don't have
any bliss.

You are not destined to lead a life of mediocrity. You are assessing your life choices going forward in a most creative manner just now. Kudos to you.

Now pick up that pad and pen and get to it.

;-)

I'm thinking of doing some tutoring in math for the time being to get some extra cash. I would have to start with anything below Calculus since I would need to brush up on that. For anyone that's done it, what's a fair price to charge? My mom told me she knows tutors that charge as much as $25/hr. I feel like with little experience I would need to start lower, like $10-15/hr.

Quote: ewjones080

I'm thinking of doing some tutoring in math for the time being to get some extra cash. I would have to start with anything below Calculus since I would need to brush up on that. For anyone that's done it, what's a fair price to charge? My mom told me she knows tutors that charge as much as $25/hr. I feel like with little experience I would need to start lower, like $10-15/hr.

Sylvan charges $40+, and that was 10 years ago, so I have no idea what it is now. Also, the $40 was only if you prepaid for 100 hours. Many people did - doctors, lawyers, etc. The teachers there told me that I could make $40 per hour on my own if I chose to tutor Calculus, Physics, or Chemistry.

As for pricing yourself at $10-$15, you will permanently under price yourself - if someone loves you, they will refer you and tell their friends and family that you charge $10-$15. Some people will turn you down for a $25-$30 tutor just because of the perceived quality based solely on the price. If you can teach the material that you offer, then you should start at $25.

...but wait, you said you're not too fond of teaching. You better gain a real quick passion for it just in case it takes off.

Quote: ewjones080

I'm thinking of doing some tutoring in math for the time being to get some extra cash. I would have to start with anything below Calculus since I would need to brush up on that. For anyone that's done it, what's a fair price to charge? My mom told me she knows tutors that charge as much as $25/hr. I feel like with little experience I would need to start lower, like $10-15/hr.

Definately, definately try to get yourself a few "gigs" if you can. I have a few now and keep hunting for more. Don't price yourself low. While not a direct correlation, I know people who do work on homes and generally won't get out of their car for less than $150. They swear they get many jobs because they show up on time and sober. The more you have as side work the easier it is to take a pay cut to leave a job you hate to make a career change.

What an appropriate thread! I just quit my job of just over 4 months on Friday - I'm a software developer. Before this job, I had taken a 14 month "sabbatical" and before that, I had worked for 4.5 years at my first job out of college.

I was happy about the first job change because I had a lot of money saved up and a plan - take some time off, travel (go to Europe), go to a lot of baseball games, sow some wild oats, etc. and then get back in the game.

I got back in the game and realized I hated it. Toward the end of my first job, I would got blacked-out drunk several nights a week because I wanted to forget that I had to go back to work the next day (with a hangover, no less). I saw myself falling into the same pattern at this job. Got super drunk Wednesday night, took a "sick day" on Thursday, started drinking before noon and by the end of the day realized I had to quit. Thankfully my girlfriend supported me since she could tell I wasn't happy.

I'm not naive enough to think that everyone in the world will have a job that they love or that makes them happy. But I think the smart and motivated people make it happen. I'm thinking of getting into Systems Administration...it would be a pay cut from Software Dev, and a significantly increased amount of bullshit, but I think it is something that would hold my attention more, and it's something I actually enjoy doing as a hobby. Dicking around with servers, etc.

So we'll see if I'm even qualified for an entry-level SA job - I'm not sure if I am. If not I may take some classes or try to get a certification or something.

I'm lucky in that I made more money than I knew what I do with at my last 2 jobs, so even after the 14 month layoff and only 4 months of employment, I have some cushion. I haven't done too much math, but I could skate by for 6 months without work if I had to, but my girlfriend would probably leave me, and I love her too much to do that.

So, to convert all of this rambling into career advice for ewjones080, I'm honestly not sure. As evidenced by me, there is lots of money to be made in software. The industry was barely hit by the recession, to be honest. Since you have a Math undergrad and some programming experience, I would at least think about pursuing that.

Quote: ewjones080

I'm thinking of doing some tutoring in math for the time being to get some extra cash. I would have to start with anything below Calculus since I would need to brush up on that. For anyone that's done it, what's a fair price to charge? My mom told me she knows tutors that charge as much as $25/hr. I feel like with little experience I would need to start lower, like $10-15/hr.

I think it depends on the market and the level of math. Certainly labor is worth more in San Jose than Fresno. There is also going to be more of a shortage of tutors the higher up you get, driving up your bargaining power. My general advice, for the average location, would be to start at $20 for basic math up to $40 for calculus. Even $25/hr sounds too low. Remember that you are catering to their schedule and they can let you go any time. That flexibility costs.

For what it is worth, my previous Spanish tutor charged about $50 an hour, but she was a former teacher and was the caviar of tutors. My latest one has no experience teaching that I know of, just a gal from Peru who is bilingual. She asks for $25, and has to give a kickback to her agent, so I don't know what portion she gets.

Something will break through for you.

Quote: CrapsForever

All of us on WizardofVegas who are in careers that we don't love should figure out how we can form a Superfirm doing something we love and utilizing our current skills to help each other out.

I've had a pretty long career as an attorney, an occupation I "knew" I would be in since I was about 12 years old.

No regrets, wouldn't change a thing.

Sometimes life unfolds as scripted.

Well the low balling my own rates came from when I tutored my neighbors friends son when I was in college. He was going into 9th grade and apparently failing math. We only did about 6-7 sessions and I was charging 10 an hour I think, but this was in the summer so he didn't have homework and I had no syllabus to go off of, and I just had to wing it. For awhile it didn't really feel like we were covering much and I was wondering if he was getting any use out of it and their 10/hr would be better spent elsewhere. As it turned out he Aced math the first semester.

So I guess I can do it, but when I tried tutoring Calc 1 in college, to other college students, when I had just finished myself, I'm almost positive I wasn't much help to them. There were too many things I was unsure about since I had just learned them myself, and taking Calc 2.

The good thing is, the Univeristy of Iowa is in my back yard, so I would imagine there's a ton of potential customers (but maybe more competition as well). But if the University offers tutoring for free to students then I might be screwed. I was going to put my name out there a couple months ago, but just kinda forgot about it. With finals coming up it might not be too late though..

Based on expereince, it's always better to ask for more than for less. When I got my current job, I was so glad to make anything at all, that I dind't press for either a higher wage or benefits. Bad misatke. Since then I've had to wrestle management for everything, often faced with "well, you should have asked for this when we hired you." And all my attempts to get a raise have been refused.

Quote: Wizard

For what it is worth, my previous Spanish tutor charged about $50 an hour, but she was a former teacher and was the caviar of tutors. My latest one has no experience teaching that I know of, just a gal from Peru who is bilingual. She asks for $25, and has to give a kickback to her agent, so I don't know what portion she gets.

I hope this doesn't affect my offer to give you some further tutoring.

I'm not familiar with Peruvian usage of Spanish, but I've a feeling I'm about to learn :)

Quote: Nareed

I hope this doesn't affect my offer to give you some further tutoring.

I'm not familiar with Peruvian usage of Spanish, but I've a feeling I'm about to learn :)

I'll answer this in the SWD thread.

Quote: CrystalMath

...but wait, you said you're not too fond of teaching. You better gain a real quick passion for it just in case it takes off.

I didn't like teaching in the traditional sense, standing in front of a bunch of people staring at me blankly. Tutoring I can do because it's one on one and I can get instant feedback on if they're getting it or not. Plus it suits my personality better.

The usual career advice is Do What You Love... The Money Will Follow ... and if it doesn't then atleast you've spent your life doing what you love.

Some career transitions are strange. One lawyer was an avid scuba diver and just happened to mention this to the Minister for Tourism in the Bahamas who knew that protection of the coral reefs and water purity was key to any continued tourism boom. Instant job hire.

One neophyte lawyer was being interviewed for a job and her background was software engineering. The lawfirm had a potential client in the conference room next door talking about having been robbed of millions of dollars but the law firm couldn't understand the computer stuff. The job interviewer asked the woman "when can you start" and upon hearing "Right Away" replied: You are hired. The potential client is next door. Go in and see if the case is really worth the millions he claims it is. She got home that night at 8pm and found a box of printed resumes she had ordered had been delivered to her apartment door. She didn't need them any more.

One man wanted to live amongst the Redwoods... there were only two jobs in the area. Carpenter's Assistant and Pot-Grower. He chose carpenter's assistant and then became a carpenter and then master finish carpenter. He never particularly wanted to be a carpenter but he didn't want to be on the wrong side of the law and thats all there was out in the Redwoods at the time.

Am I the only one who thought F Lee Bailey was dead?
He's not dead, just disbarred from practicing law, forever
it looks like. He's about 80 and has a consulting business.

What a career. Harvard, joins the marines and goes to
Pensicola and becomes a fighter pilot, goes to Boston
University law school and graduates top of his class. Is
involved in the most notorious cases of the 20th century,
like the Boston Strangler and OJ. Then gets disbarred in his
60's for taking a clients money. Sad story..

Quote: EvenBob

Am I the only one who thought F Lee Bailey was dead?
He's not dead, just disbarred from practicing law, forever
it looks like. He's about 80 and has a consulting business.

What a career. Harvard, joins the marines and goes to
Pensicola and becomes a fighter pilot, goes to Boston
University law school and graduates top of his class. Is
involved in the most notorious cases of the 20th century,
like the Boston Strangler and OJ. Then gets disbarred in his
60's for taking a clients money. Sad story..

Not to mention Ernest Medina, Sam Sheppard and Patty Hearst...