I now have a bachelor's degree and absolutely zero job prospects.
I think someone should be calling me. I've had enough of this job hunting crap.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Here here!
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
do what I did. Go to graduate school. Then you can put off the job hunt for a few more years. Posted by Javert Hugo (Member # 3980) on :
What are you looking for? Where do you want to live? What are you willing to do? How much are you willing to work for?
Because, if you want to live in Salt Lake City, you can always, always work for my dad.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Question -- weren't you going to go on a mission once you got your degree?
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
I am going to go on a mission. But first I need $4,000. And I have to live with my Mom in western Montana.
Maybe I should start running drugs.
Posted by msquared (Member # 4484) on :
Bunch of whiny babies. No one is lined up to offer me a job.
Go out and look for them. In places you may not expect them. Walk in the door. Do not buy that crap that you have to love your job. You just have to do it.
Sorry if I sound bitter, but I get sick and tired of people saying that they can not find a job. There are plenty of jobs. They may not be in your field, they may not be something you like, but you take what you can or shut up.
My degree has almost nothing to do with what I do on a daily basis. I was in retail electronics sales before that.
msquared
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
I vote for the drugs option.
The Montana thing is a serious limitation, particularly given what you want to do.
As your costs are low, my guess is your best bet would be some sort of freelancing/art creation thing (where you then sell your artworks/crafts/whatever, of course).
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Oh yeah, if you just want a McJob, you won't have a problem if you just fill out a flurry of applications and always follow up.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Ghost write the book Ender vs. Predator.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
I have applied for a few jobs, one of which is a graphic designer and webmaster for adventurecycling.org - hopefully something will work out. I think I'll also look into retail positions once I get moved into town.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
I wonder how much I could get for selling a kidney?
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Wanna be a nanny for room and board? Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Have you considered starting an online business selling "Annie Pants"?
I bet you could auction them on e-bay very successfully.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Maybe I should try selling art stuff and also have whatever job I can get (I can work for my mom's gallery part time). I'm really not made to be an entrepreneur, though.
Posted by Javert Hugo (Member # 3980) on :
Annie, it sounds like you are looking for a job, not necessarily a career. Starting any business does take some time, and you only have four months.
Apply everywhere. Go to every business, ask for applications, ask to see the managers, and lay it out. Job-hunting SUCKS and I HATE it, but there is lots of work out there. You can do ANYTHING for four months.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Where the heck did the pic of the pants go? I can't find it since Mack changed servers.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Do taxes! The job will be over in April, so you won't have to worry about quitting in a few months to go on your mission. Liberty Tax Service is the one I'd reccommend to work for, followed by Jackson Hewitt.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
I demand a pants pic!
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I WANT to love my job. I have been working this same crappy job for a year and I want OUT. Enough of just getting a job, I need a real CAREER. Something that defines me.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Ick. I never want my job/career to define me.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
What kind of background do you need to do taxes, Boon?
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
That's why I want to be a writer... What can be better? But I AM OUT OF MY DAMN MIND... (Got that defining career line from Lost Boys)
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
That's what I was going to say. If you are yourself, you will define your career.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
An accounting degree?
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Nevermind! I found the pants by my own self!
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Good, because I didn't know where they were.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Nope. Never even taken an accounting class.
If you know how to do your own taxes, and have a basic working knowledge of tax terms like EIC, Child Tax Credit, exemptions, dependents, etc, you can learn the rest of what you'll need to know to do simple returns in just a week or two. Basic computer skills are also a must.
Most offices use a TurboTax-like software that is very user friendly and self-explainatory.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Well, they're here. Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Hey Annie, I'll sell your pants for a percentage.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
I wonder if I could even sell them directly in some funky boutique. We got lots of funky boutiques in Missoula - it's a yuppie/hippie town.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
I was going to suggest you go into partnership with ElJay. She’s an entrepreneur type.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
You could. Or a consignment shop?
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
Where, PSI?
Though I didn't plan it, I'd say that the easiest way to ooze your way into a career is to figure out what you really don't like and then don't do it. I didn't like working outside, and didn't like standing up all day, and didn't like serving food. I had one skill: typing. So I went to work in an office. It wasn't great fun, but one thing led to another over the years until it became fun. The only common thread among the jobs I've had is that they were all wholesale distributors and I used a computer. Now I work for a company that writes enterprise software for wholesale distributors, and I love it. But it took a while to get here the route I took. Twelve years. Snail pace career planning, but I've enjoyed the journey.
Posted by Javert Hugo (Member # 3980) on :
Oooo...I like the partnership with ElJay idea. Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Where, what? A consignment shop?
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
Annie, you paint jeans? I've been looking for someone who does that. Do you have any other designs?
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
Sorry, Psi, you answered my question already...I'm just slow. Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Oh, okay. I was trying to figure out why you thought I'd know where the Missoula consignment shops are.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Ooooh, Annie, I have come up with something clever, I think. Can you dye the areas that you have bleached with the pen? Because wouldn't a bright orange dragon look faboo on some dark or black jeans?
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
Jeni - the designs I've done were with a bleach pen, but I've done fabric paints in the past.
I do all kinds of designs. For Anne Kate, I did a henna-type floral design, for Christy I did binary code and for Rivka I did a geometric pattern. You can ask me any questions you like at blueroosterdesign AT gmail DOT com
PSI - I'd have to experiment with that, but I could see it working. I've done tie-dye before and know some pretty good permanent dying tricks if you're interested.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
My question(s) is/are how long do you leave the bleach on, and can you just throw the pants in the laundry without the bleach bleaching out the rest of the pants?
Tie-dye: Yes, please divulge, for a completely unrelated reason. My husband and I had a bear of a time dying his Waluigi shirt purple and I knew we'd need a new tactic next time.
See, I need to get some black jeans though, because I was going to send these dark blue ones but they might get dyed a funky color with the orange.
Or wait, you don't have to divulge if you want to keep it a trade secret.
[ January 05, 2005, 02:39 PM: Message edited by: PSI Teleport ]
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
I use a Clorox bleach pen, which isn't straight bleach, but a paste-type of binder too. I leave it on for (usually) 10 minutes, but this really depends on the darkness and type of fabric. It washes right out without affecting the rest of the garment, and you can actually just brush off the paste remnant if the garment is unwashable (like a jacket I made for myself)
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Well, for one thing, Rit dyes suck.
Any dye you use will also need binders - specifically soda ash and urea - to make the colors bright and make them stay.
This site has really good tie-dye tips.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
No, you should delete that post. You could make a cool pants career and you don't want to give all your secrets away.
edit: Isn't urea what's in pee and sweat?
[ January 05, 2005, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: PSI Teleport ]
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Because on Hatrack, everyone's going to steal them. Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Yep. *steals*
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
Oh, Christi's pants are wonderful!
I've gotten really into Susan Bristol's designs (sweaters -- which I buy on ebay because they are MUCH too expensive new) and would love to have a couple of pairs of decorated jeans that would go nicely with them. I'll email you Annie! I'm stoked. This is excellent.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
It's not my techniques that make Annie pants, it's my mad skillz of a designer.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
quote:Isn't urea what's in pee and sweat?
My friend Vanessa and I had to justify to my parents once why we were investing our money in five pounds of dried cow piss.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
I can immediately see an area where costs could be cut by using a more ... uhm... direct supplier.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Just FYI, fiber reactive dyes will not work on areas that have been bleached. Once you bleach fibers, you esstentially ruin any chances of color once again binding to it.
You can certainly use all-purpose dyes, like Rit, but as Annie said, they suck.
I'm a dye snob, I only use procion dyes.
You could paint back over them, but I personally dislike fabric paints because of the texture they leave on the fabric. Even a high dollar, high quality paint will change the feel of the fabric. I'm a fabric snob too.
Edit: Forgot to mention, urea is not a binder, and isn't necessary in the dye process. What urea does is keep the fabric from drying - it makes the dye solution "wetter" so there is more processing time. This is very helpful when tye-dyeing, because you want a long reaction time. For solid color vat dyeing, it isn't necessary at all. You just need water, dye powders, and sodium carbonate. Salt can help with darker shades.
[ January 05, 2005, 03:00 PM: Message edited by: Belle ]
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
You still need the talent, even if you have the instructions. I'm sure a lot of people around here have it, but plenty of us don't.
Annie, I've thought of offering to help market clothing designs with you before, but I didn't want to be pushy. Every time I wear my AnniePants I get compliments and questions.
If you're just looking for a temporary thing, however, to raise money for your mission, you probably don't want to develop relationships with people who would want a continuing supply if the product took off. Selling in funky boutiques around town or on e-bay would probably be the way to go.
I'd try it out by buying cheap jeans at used clothing stores, making a couple of samples, and going to local shops with them. I'd also do something smaller, like purses or tote bags, if you can find a good, cheap supply.
If you don't mind, I'll wear my jeans into a couple of places around here that sell hand-made things and see if they're interested. I would tell them, basically, that I could get a limited supply over the next few months and that they would be the exclusive supplier in the state. The one I'm thinking would have the best chance is a consignement shop, and the prices are pretty steep. They would probably be good about taking a small supply (They tend not to carry more than a dozen of anything) and not caring if they couldn't get more after a certain point.
But the jeans are pretty big... the mark-up would be better on something that didn't take as much of your time. If you could find cute little satin covered box purses at Target for $10 and resell them for $40 with your designs on them, that would be much better.
The other problem with me or anyone else doing the marketing for you is distance... if we have to add in shipping costs, it cuts into profit. But if it's not something you like doing yourself, we can find a way to make it work.
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
Eljay...can you shoot a pic of your AnniePants? I'd love to see them.
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
Annie, I would definitely encourage you to try selling on Ebay - I had good success, all my stuff sold, some of it for more than I expected. I sold a couple of dyed scarves, that cost me a grand total of $2.87 for more than 20 bucks. If I were dedicated to it I'm sure I could make a decent amount of money on the side, but I'm too flighty and don't want to make it a regular thing.
The good thing about Ebay is there is very little cost for you to list, you can quit anytime without owing anybody anything, and you have some protections built in - if you ship through paypal with delivery confirmation you're protected against chargebacks.
I highly recommend it, I never had any problem collecting money from people, and made pretty good profit margins on what I did. The only thing is it's hard to get noticed, but once you do and word spreads, you can be very successful.
Posted by dread pirate romany (Member # 6869) on :
So, I could make money selling my pee maybe?
(good luck with the job hunting Annie)
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Guess what I wore today?
Annie, my SIL has had a fair bit of success just with used kids' clothes on Ebay. I bet your stuff would sell like hotcakes. Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
[ January 05, 2005, 03:22 PM: Message edited by: Sara Sasse ]
Posted by dabbler (Member # 6443) on :
You know what would be a good project? If there were a community store of hatrack folks.
You'd have to trust the sellers that get involved with the store, but if one or two people were to share the job of creating the online store and updating it for a percentage of the profits, it would be a really cool spot for creative things from hatrackers.
With word of mouth from this kind of community, you'd get a really nice starting group of potential consumers.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
That's an interesting thought. I wonder...
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
(Although I do bet you could make some beautiful lingerie, Annie.)
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
!
That's a great idea!
Unfortunately, we couldn't use the hatrack name.
It would have to be the Jatraquero store or similar.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
dabbler, I'm planning on doing a community type Ebay store in the summer. I have a group of about four craftspeople, we are all working on projects throughout the year, and then in the summer, we'll open a store for a 3 month period to sell them all.
The reason for this is we're either teachers or students, and the summer is a time when we don't have as much going on. But none of us wants to have the responsibility of running a store all year round.
So we spend nine months of the year making items, and three months selling them. That's the plan. I'll let you know in September how it went.
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
Thanks for everyone's wise ideas and encouragement.
I'm moving home this evening (I hope!) and will probably be in between computers for a while.
Take care!
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
quote: I'm a dye snob, I only use procion dyes.
Would this also not work on something that had been bleached?
Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :
Wow I'm jealous... just what does it take to get a pair of those Annie pants, anyway?
Do you work freehand? Do you sketch with pencil or something and then go over it with the bleach pen?
How did I miss this?
Posted by Trisha the Severe Hottie (Member # 6000) on :
Most tax preparation firms will charge you to teach you how to prepare the taxes. I'm not sure how much folks net out on that. I took a tax prep course as occupational therapy after my mental breakdown. But I've never done anyone's taxes besides ours.
Man, how come when I was contemplating selling crafts on eBay, Hatrack only told me how folks generally lose money doing that? Maybe that's all I heard because I'm sort of a pessimist.
[ January 05, 2005, 09:36 PM: Message edited by: Trisha the Severe Hottie ]
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Not Liberty. At least, not the ones here.
Posted by Trisha the Severe Hottie (Member # 6000) on :
Their "Stop Hunger" add reminds me that lots of charities are probably getting starved by the Tsunami coverage. Or was there already a thread about that?
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
quote: In early January, Liberty Tax Service will hold week-day Rapid Classes. There are no charges for Rapid Class.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Also, I notice that a lot of the rapid classes are running this week. If you're interested, call anyway. Usually, they'll make as many accommodations as possible. (Two of my best preparers last year came in the first week of January looking for work.)
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Oh yeah, and we're also hiring people to dress up as Lady Liberty or Uncle Sam and wave at cars. No skill required, beyond the ability to wear a costume and hold a sign. Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
PSI, yes procion dyes are fiber reactive dyes and will not work on bleached fibers.
Now, there are methods of bleaching that can be done which can be overdyed, otherwise one couldn't dye white t-shirts. But, bleach pens and Clorox type bleach that are used at home will ruin the fibers, and you won't be able to get a good dye back on top of them.
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
Annie, I would LOVE to have pants like the one you do. Sell it on e-bay would make it available for international sell, isn't it ? *bambi eyes*
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
I'm going to get myself some Annie Pants next fall, even if I have to kidnap her. I'm starting basic classes in ballet again this month (happy happy), so I expect my size to change as I develop my thigh muscles. Woo-hoo!
[ January 06, 2005, 07:56 AM: Message edited by: Sara Sasse ]
Posted by Lucky4 (Member # 1420) on :
Yeah, I'd definitely buy Annie pants. Or purse. Or socks. Or scrubs (hey, a nurse can dream, right?)
Sounds like you've got enough buyers for a first stock right here on Hatrack! (Was that hinting a little too obvious? )
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
Um, just so's you know, she has (in the past)offered to decorate any pants we send her.
Of course, we would never dream of taking advantage of our Annie. We would, however, support her artistic endeavours with great respect and donations of cold, hard cash.
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
Now that's what I call a good idea. I just need to find some pants that would be adequate for it. And have Annie's adress and acceptance, of course. *re-bambi eyes*
[ January 06, 2005, 10:45 AM: Message edited by: Anna ]
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Jatraqueros get the Hatrack discount on Annie pants, which is $10 plus shipping. You mail me the pants, I doodle on them, I mail them back.
It really doesn't take long, so don't feel like you're putting me out.
Any interested can email me at blueroosterdesign AT gmail DOT com
Posted by Javert Hugo (Member # 3980) on :
Annie, I may have some web work for you. Check your mail.
Rather, e-mail me at katepilkington AT yahoo DOT com. Your e-mail address isn't available here.
[ January 06, 2005, 11:36 AM: Message edited by: Javert Hugo ]
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
quote:so I expect my size to change as I develop my thigh muscles. Woo-hoo!
That HAPPENED to me because of fencing. NOT happy.
Posted by dread pirate romany (Member # 6869) on :
Oooh, Sara! I can't wait to see you in a tutu!
When I am "back in shape" (ha!) I may have to treat myself to Annie-pants.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Ballet dancers hardly ever wear tutus
Hmmm, I've got a 4 hour gap in my schedule on tuesdays and thursdays, I wonder if any local places have ballet classes so I can get back in shape. I know IU just has major classes then, unfortunately.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Russell, for some reason you never struck me as the ballet type.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
10 years.
Posted by Javert Hugo (Member # 3980) on :
Fugu, I sent you an e-mail. Did you get it?
E-mail me. Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Wow. Color me impressed.
Posted by dread pirate romany (Member # 6869) on :
Awesome, fugu. Did you ever dance professionally?
(Heck, I will buy Sara a tutu. She deserves something nice for all she does anyway.)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Cry]](graemlins/cry.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
![[Grumble]](graemlins/grumble.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)