Posted on 07/21/2009 4:44:12 PM PDT by SantaLuz
I just got laid off and I'm thinking about working for free. I've been working for 27 years and I've been fortunate that this is the first time this has happened to me. I have a family with 3 kids and I won't be able to work for free for very long (for a couple weeks perhaps) but I thought that I might look for work outside my usual 10 hour day in a cubicle tap-tap-tapping on a computer for the tech industry. I got paid well but to tell the truth I'm tired of the hectic pace and Asperger personalities that are the norm. So I'm opening my mind to new possibilities. I'm bright and can learn fast and I have multiple degrees in engineering. But I'm interested in hearing from people who love their jobs. I'm interested in a job in the San Francisco Bay area where I could work for free and learn about a new trade. Any suggestions or insights would be appreciated. My hobbies include photography, creating videos, and camping. I love variety, change and having to think on my feet. Thanks!
I am sure there is a commune out there that would love to have a new volunteer, look for pink triangles... oh and if someone there laughs and says “fresh meat” just smile to them.
On a more serious note, AmerCorps actually PAYS people!!??
You’ve got a lot of experience — at least let them pay you minimum wage. How about signing on with a conservative candidate (rare in your air, I know) but they would be in need of your video and computer specialties. I worked a campaign in OC Calif and we were always looking for good computer help.
You will be working for free half the time at least.
Learn a trade. Either that, or produce something that you can control from raw resource to finished retail article. In either pursuit, you will use your head as much as your hands - if you’re good.
Please send contact info to me here by FreeRepublic email :)
God bless you and keep you and your family in this situation.
Crisis spurs people to work for free - good or bad?
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE56C0T120090713
Two weeks, do immersion training in either Spanish or Mandarin. Rosetta Stone.
Just wanted to say, good luck! You sound like you have a great outlook, I’m sure it won’t be long until you’re doing something fulfilling.
“My hobbies include photography, creating videos, and camping.”
It sounds to me that you should consider contacting someone with the National Park Service.
Perhaps you could put together a presentation for the USPS of the things to see, do, and be carful of, for a given Park.
Consider contacting a local Search & Rescue organization to see if they could us your talents. Perhaps it doesn’t need to be local, then you could work in an area that you may have always wanted to see.
You live in one of the sailing capitals of the world.... at least in terms of head count for sailors. Perhaps some yacht sales company will add you to their crew to document their products in action.
What might be interesting is for you to let us know how much difficulty you experiance in trying to do something for free.... heck, that all by itself might make a fun documentary project. ;>)
Good luck and have fun.
USPS = NPS
You can’t afford to work for free. Spend your time (8 hrs a day) looking for a paying job - at least a paying part-time job.
Want to switch fields? Find out which fields pay well and are in demand in your area. Then invest in training in a new field. At least update your engineering skills in case you do have to go back to that. Are you interested in project management? Companies that aren’t hiring worker bees are hiring project managers.
Post your resume on Monster and Dice. Belong to any engineering organizations? If so, post/circulate your resume there, too.
Might not be such a crazy idea, especially if you’re bright and hard working.
I have a great job - got it by volunteering just to learn a new skill. Took to it like a duck to water and still love it.....plus I get paid.
I tried out the amazon mturk site. It was a lot of work for pennies. But I showed my son the site also. Good way to make some spare change. I’ll try out the other sites you recommended today. Thanks for the information!
We know God will help us in this situation. He has in so many other times in our lives. We are going to wait and watch Him work. We also are going to do our part and keep our minds open to something unexpected. That’s the way He likes to work in our lives. We also noticed that our God loves roller-coaster rides. We are starting to learn to love them too. :-)
Well God bless and keep you - and thank you for an uplifting post despite your circumstances. Yes, God is able to see us through anything with His love, power, and joy.
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