I am looking for a job

[gman666]

First, lower your expectations... There are people that have college degrees and certifications, and they still work shit jobs that they don't like. If you want my advise, try to find a retail job. If you think you know how to handle people (customers), think again. Retail will prepare you for the worst and best customers that you'll likely see in any business. Also, the more shit the job is, the less likely that you'll be held back when you want to quit. Your first job should be something that you can easily quit when you feel that the job isn't working for your school schedule (I'm assuming you'll be at school for most of the week). However, even though the job will be crap, use this opportunity to learn more than just YOUR job. See how the managers work, pay attention to cashiers, book keeping, safety managers, sanitation, etc. At the end, you should have a solid understanding of the business, and a nice little title on your new resume. Also, learn what makes a good resume and a bad one. Lastly, take advantage of your newfound income, and invest in a retirement fund.

 

[VinsCool]

We all start at the bottom of the ladder, almost no exception.

Though, I must say, jobs like Mc Donald's or retail aren't that bad.
I've been working at the same grocery store for years, an I'm actually enjoying my time there.

 

[m_babble]

Considering that manufacturing and construction jobs are being replaced with machines, education on how the machines works is necessary. You are not going to go far in life without education. People without High School Degrees earn less, earnings dropped 26% compared to 40 yrs ago. And chances of not getting a job is 20%, which is 400% more than the average. And this will get worse in the future as machines become more advanced.

Grandpa might make lots of money without High School education but thats not the case nowadays. This isn't the 1900's anymore where most work was physical labor. Grandpa worked on cars and refrigerators, but nowadays they have built in computers. You will need to know how sensors work and how they collect data. You will need to know how to fix problems in self driving cars as they start to become more popular which means know how computers and microchips work.

I'm not in any way trying to discourage anyone from getting an education.
I'm just saying it's possible to have less than soul crushing jobs or even good and enjoyable ones without one.
Never let your lack of (access to) something define your sense of worth or what you're willing to strive for.
Apply for the job you're not sure you're qualified for.
Your attitude and passion in an interview might land you a job over (several) someone(s) with a more impressive resume.

-Grandpa

 

[Dominator211]

Getting a job at 15 is going to be very difficult. A lot of employers try to avoid hiring anyone under the age of 18, because minors bring with them all kinds of extra state Department of Labor rules and OSHA regulations, such as longer/more frequent break periods and types of work that you are allowed to be assigned, as well as the fact that it can be a major hassle to have to schedule around someone's school schedule. If you're set on trying to get a job though, then by all means do not let that discourage you. Just know that you are in for quite the hunt.

As far as getting a job that doesn't suck, as was mentioned before, as a (presumably) unskilled 15 year old (you presumably have no certifications, no college degree, not even so much as a high school diploma or equivalent, or prior job experience) prepare yourself to start small and work your way up. Not all companies are worth taking promotions, because you get a boatload of added responsibilities for pennies more an hour. But ones do certainly exist as well that have advancement opportunities that are worth taking. What I would personally recommend if those computer repair shops don't pan out - look into warehouse work. Depending on whether it's a small or large scale operation, you could become the local "computer guy", not really getting paid any more but you have found yourself working with all of the computer systems in the building, or some companies, actually hired into the building's IT department. Warehouse work in general usually isn't -terrible- either, as long as you do what you are supposed to be doing and don't fuck around too much, generally you won't run into many issues.

This is all not taking into account NY state's minimum age to work. https://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/laborstandards/workprot/wptypes.shtm you have to get a permit to be able to work. Warehouse work, you might not be able to do until you are 16. There is a newspaper carrier permit that you could get though, if that is an option.

Long story short though, IMO you are at a position in your life where you shouldn't worry so much about trying to build a career, but instead, not worry at all. I think you'd be best suited enjoying your childhood while you've still got it. You've got all of your adult years ahead of you to worry about stuff like this. But if you do want to press on and try to get a job, don't focus on doing something you love. Do anything, stick to it to show that you can commit to something and be responsible. Use it to pad out your resume a bit, and at the same time, make a little bit of spending money.



Problem with this is that internet cafes aren't so common here in the US.

holy crap i got noticed by a huge guy in GBATemp

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This exactly.
Enjoy your youth. You don't need money yet.
If you want an easy entry to the tech field, wait 3 years (or however long until you hit 18) and then join the Air Force or Navy for a tech job. Leave after 3 years and get paid 60K a year starting salary basically anywhere. You also get crazy perks with 3 years of military service, to include veteran's preference and GI Bill for education.

i did think about that but i dont know is 6 weeks of basic training is worth it

 

[slaphappygamer]

I started with a paper route at 15, then McDonald’s. After that, I went to bagging groceries before getting lucky and getting a job with a giant telecom company. I’ve been there now for 21 years and I’m 40. Got a 401k and pension. Just “pay your dues” with any entry level job. The paper route, I learned to count and manage money. At McDonald’s, I learned how to greet customers and take orders (literally). Bagging groceries, I learned how to work with the public. Many different people with many different questions and requests. Take something from every job, no matter how embarrassed you may feel.

 

[Sicklyboy]

I'm not in any way trying to discourage anyone from getting an education.
I'm just saying it's possible to have less than soul crushing jobs or even good and enjoyable ones without one.
Never let your lack of (access to) something define your sense of worth or what you're willing to strive for.
Apply for the job you're not sure you're qualified for.
Your attitude and passion in an interview might land you a job over (several) someone(s) with a more impressive resume.

-Grandpa

I'm a college dropout, no certifications, and I still have managed to get A pretty good IT job with multiple raises and promotions in my time there, with one of the largest tech companies in the world. But I started at the very bottom, and worked my way up from there. What I was originally doing is not at all IT related, and far from elegant,, but you take what you can get. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[GameSystem]

i did think about that but i dont know is 6 weeks of basic training is worth it

I'm not trying to recruit you or anything, but basic training is not at all like what you see in the movies. It's literally a summer camp. A drill sergeant will get fired for touching you by accident. There are even rules on how much they are allowed to let you exercise so nobody gets injured.
After the basic training is done, you start your actual job training, which is hands on/classroom training, and that is where the big payoff is. That training is worth tens of thousands of dollars, and not only do you get it for free, you also get paid to do it. Then when you finish your training, you actually get to do that job.

 

[depaul]

I'm going to give you an advise as my little brother or a son if I had one: At this age you have to study well, live well, play games, play with friends...etc. Because you'll miss these days when you'll get older, especially if you didn't finish your study.

As for money: the earlier you work in your life, the less you'll make in the long term. So get a high degree. If you like sport do sport. Build your life for now.

 

[Dominator211]

I'm a college dropout, no certifications, and I still have managed to get A pretty good IT job with multiple raises and promotions in my time there, with one of the largest tech companies in the world. But I started at the very bottom, and worked my way up from there. What I was originally doing is not at all IT related, and far from elegant,, but you take what you can get. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

im 15 should enjoy what I have left of my childhood... i think im gonna try to hop on the youtube bandwagon

I'm not trying to recruit you or anything, but basic training is not at all like what you see in the movies. It's literally a summer camp. A drill sergeant will get fired for touching you by accident. There are even rules on how much they are allowed to let you exercise so nobody gets injured.
After the basic training is done, you start your actual job training, which is hands on/classroom training, and that is where the big payoff is. That training is worth tens of thousands of dollars, and not only do you get it for free, you also get paid to do it. Then when you finish your training, you actually get to do that job.

i am not sure if i want to commit to something like this... i would have to watch some new coverage or something... and i didnt think basic train was tough via hollywood BTW

 

[GameSystem]

i am not sure if i want to commit to something like this... i would have to watch some new coverage or something... and i didnt think basic train was tough via hollywood BTW

It's just an option for a piss-easy entry to the tech field if you are short on cash or have trouble with higher education. A bachelor's degree is a 3-4 year commitment, Entry level jobs to work your way up is at least 2+ years of commitment, military is 3-6 year commitment (sign for the shortest term you can).

If you are smart and sit for a bunch of certification exams at the local community college or something, you can jump right into a decent position right out of high school. I'm not really well versed in this side of things, so you may want to ask around.

 

[Pleng]

I never finished high school and have worked for major corporations, recognizable non-profits and reputable venues.
Concepts of conventional success are outdated.
Sure, you'll be at a disadvantage without a formal education in some settings, but most of them would probably be miserable to work at anyway.
It's all about how you market yourself.
You got this!

And for every one of you, there's at leat 200,000 people who never finished school and ended up folding chocolate boxes for the next 60 years of their life.

Don't even try and kid yourself that all of your success is just because you marketed yourself well... I'm sure you did, but from that group of 200,000 failures there's probably at least 5000 who did just as good a job, or better, at marketing themselves but lacked the main ingredient a drop-out needs: luck.

 

[m_babble]

And for every one of you, there's at leat 200,000 people who never finished school and ended up folding chocolate boxes for the next 60 years of their life.

Don't even try and kid yourself that all of your success is just because you marketed yourself well... I'm sure you did, but from that group of 200,000 failures there's probably at least 5000 who did just as good a job, or better, at marketing themselves but lacked the main ingredient a drop-out needs: luck.

Thanks for that cold, hard dose of reality.
Way to tell it like it is.
I wasn't trying to get into things like luck, connections, being born wealthy or intersectionality, etc.
I really just wanted to offer some optimism to a young person trying to get some work experience while I assume continuing their education.
Apparently that's pretty useless.
Sucks to be those failures folding boxes, right?

 

[Pleng]

Thanks for that cold, hard dose of reality.
Way to tell it like it is.
I wasn't trying to get into things like luck, connections, being born wealthy or intersectionality, etc.
I really just wanted to offer some optimism to a young person trying to get some work experience while I assume continuing their education.

You were talking about the possibilities after dropping out of high-school, not about getting work-experience while still studying. Your ego-fulled rant therefore had very little to do with his situation. So going back to that, yes he should be prepared to work at McDonalds or Wallmart while working while studying if he wants to make a buck. Yes, by all means apply for jobs related to technology, and maybe he might luck into one if he "markets" himself. But he needs to be prepared to do a shitty job should that not work out. In fact; having a job at one of those places will make him more likely to be accepted for a technology job in the future; because it shows he's prepared to work and graft and not consider certain tasks "below" him.

Apparently that's pretty useless.

Yea it was... see above.

Sucks to be those failures folding boxes, right?

Sure did... I rode the arrogance wave for a while punching above my weight but eventually my luck ran out and I was forced back into education before I could move on. Hope your luck keeps up. If you've made enough contacts and sincerely have a lot of experience in a variety of areas you should be fine.

 

[Hells Malice]

Get a retail job.
They're absolutely shit but they really give you a lot of character moving forward.

Tho I do second the notion of just waiting on getting a job because you'll never have the freedom you do now again. Unless you win the lottery or something.

 

[SoslanVanWieren]

can you work at some thing like a store if you aren't really good at anything yet.

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This exactly.
Enjoy your youth. You don't need money yet.
If you want an easy entry to the tech field, wait 3 years (or however long until you hit 18) and then join the Air Force or Navy for a tech job. Leave after 3 years and get paid 60K a year starting salary basically anywhere. You also get crazy perks with 3 years of military service, to include veteran's preference and GI Bill for education.

Well i need a new computer my one is dieing and i will not be able to use the internet or do stuff on it if it breaks plus i want new games.

 

[Quantumcat]

Take any job you can get, you need to learn professionalism and self-discipline somewhere. You won't get a "fun" job without some sort of experience, even if it has nothing to do with the job you apply for and is just to reassure the potential employer that you can turn up when expected, work in a team environment, and have maturity and social skills. Even if you don't need the money, there are good life skills there waiting to be learned. There's a reason rich kids are usually slack, lazy and not dependable, and it's because they never had to work when younger.

 

[leon315]

has anyone ever thought to work at home as a streamer?? GETTIN' PAID WHILE DOING SOMETHING U LOVE

2 bird with one stone, I AM A FUKKING GENIUS lol

 

[GameSystem]

has anyone ever thought to work at home as a streamer??

I'm going to do this when I retire because my pension will be enough to cover my bills and expenses for anything I want in moderation.
I might as well attempt to get extra income, though it will probably be $0 because I won't be popular and nobody will subscribe to me.

 

[spotanjo3]

This exactly.
Enjoy your youth. You don't need money yet.
If you want an easy entry to the tech field, wait 3 years (or however long until you hit 18) and then join the Air Force or Navy for a tech job. Leave after 3 years and get paid 60K a year starting salary basically anywhere. You also get crazy perks with 3 years of military service, to include veteran's preference and GI Bill for education.

Thats true and he can work varies job in neighbors for an example: Seniors. They might need the help with things and will gladly pay you for the work. What? Join Air Force or Navy ? Heck no. I hate military service.

 

[leon315]

I'm going to do this when I retire because my pension will be enough to cover my bills and expenses for anything I want in moderation.
I might as well attempt to get extra income, though it will probably be $0 because I won't be popular and nobody will subscribe to me.

u just need to be funny or simply, be a meme person or either good at some popular games, u don't have to be attractive to earn subs, for those horny guys there are already a lot of silicon b00b streamers.

take Aimbotcalvin, a very popular Overwatch streamer as an example, he's literally a living ASIAN ROADHOG and he's ugly and obese AF but he has so many subs just playing one game.

p.s. i agreed about other tempers' posts, enjoy ur youth as much as you can.