Posted: 12/4/2013 6:19:04 PM EDT
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So I am absolutely done with Michigan and I need a desperate change of scenery or I will go nuts. Im on the verge of a divorce, my job is horrible and its been impossible to find another one around here. It used to be easy because of my prior service, but not now. Its getting to the point you need a degree to flip burgers. Anyway there is nothing keeping me here. I have visited TX a couple years ago and loved it. I want to live just outside the DFW area. First thing I need to do is figure out the Job situation i think. Does anyone have a good order of things I should do to make the move smooth. Only time I have ever moved long distance was after the military. And that was me moving back into my parents for a time. I just want this to go as smooth as possible. Any help with advice, good areas to rent or jobs it would be most helpful. Thank you.
High School Diploma Some College, No degree US Army, Airborne, Sniper, Leadership, Management Some Retail Exp Plumbing/Pipefitting/Fire Suppression Exp Some Electrical Exp Correction Officer/Security Exp Sales/Customer Service Exp First Aid/CPR Some Farming/Agriculture Exp Again, I wish I could have stayed in Law Enforcement, That WAS my lifetime career but its not an option now. I think I could learn anything and Im not being picky. I even had to apply at Mcdonalds, but I honestly believe Im suited to do something more professional. I flipped burgers as a kid I just know I am missing out on a good job somewhere. I hate the fact my education is basically Life in general but employers do care anymore. They want that 50,000 degree. I have met some dumb college grads! |
| Well, I was in the US Army for 5yrs. While I was in I went through a bunch of schools. I have only had time to take a few college courses. Had to be the bread winner and raise children so I could go to school full time. I did Plumbing for 2.5 years and then I was a corrections officer for 10.5 years. I ended up leaving that job on the advice of my doctor. I was involved in an accident by a drunk driver that hit me head on which caused a neck injury. I could risk getting involved with an altercation and getting my neck tweaked. Though I have pain I can still work fine. I have been selling Insurance for the past year. Im ok at it but I need something stable. Im age 39 and have a lot of leadership experience and I am very resourceful as well as a quick learner. |
| So should I get employment first and then sell my house, or sell my house here, find a job and then a place to stay near the employment? What is the rental housing market like down there? I dont see myself buying a home in TX right off the bat. Figured I would get a lay of the land first, repair my credit a bit. |
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how much electrical experience do yo have. and have you ever worked in a industrial plant before.. oh and what part of MI are you living in now? Right now Im In Linden, MI which is 20 minutes South of Flint. Electrical exp, I finished our basement in our last house and did all the electrical, carpentry and plumbing for it. It was fairly large. Mainly its just average electrical tinkering. And the only time i have work in plants was to install the plumbing and fire suppression system within commercial buildings. But honestly, again Im a quick learner and pretty mechanically inclined. You show me things a couple times when its hands on, and Im off and running. I had to take 2 State tests to get licensed in Insurance and I was fortunate enough to pass on both the first time. When I was a plumbing apprentice I was the only apprentice that they had confidence in to leave at a job knowing it would be done well. |
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Right now Im In Linden, MI which is 20 minutes South of Flint. Electrical exp, I finished our basement in our last house and did all the electrical, carpentry and plumbing for it. It was fairly large. Mainly its just average electrical tinkering. And the only time i have work in plants was to install the plumbing and fire suppression system within commercial buildings. But honestly, again Im a quick learner and pretty mechanically inclined. You show me things a couple times when its hands on, and Im off and running. I had to take 2 State tests to get licensed in Insurance and I was fortunate enough to pass on both the first time. When I was a plumbing apprentice I was the only apprentice that they had confidence in to leave at a job knowing it would be done well. Quoted:
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how much electrical experience do yo have. and have you ever worked in a industrial plant before.. oh and what part of MI are you living in now? Right now Im In Linden, MI which is 20 minutes South of Flint. Electrical exp, I finished our basement in our last house and did all the electrical, carpentry and plumbing for it. It was fairly large. Mainly its just average electrical tinkering. And the only time i have work in plants was to install the plumbing and fire suppression system within commercial buildings. But honestly, again Im a quick learner and pretty mechanically inclined. You show me things a couple times when its hands on, and Im off and running. I had to take 2 State tests to get licensed in Insurance and I was fortunate enough to pass on both the first time. When I was a plumbing apprentice I was the only apprentice that they had confidence in to leave at a job knowing it would be done well. ill ask around see what we have available i may be able to find you a spot. depends on jobs we have going on. right now im in denton, but this job will last to maybe march or april, then im headed to west texas again, no telling what pops up around here. pay is around 14-16 per hour and like $70 a day per diem, im just guessing, im salary so i never really paid attention to the pay scale all that much. finding a place to rent shouldnt be too much of a problem i think. ive been doing this for 2 years and job to job, i find a place to rent. |
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He's got bike riding skills.  Mmmmm, dont follow? I love messing around but I guess Im having a male blond moment.  http://youtu.be/A1fVvGRlFoEGot it lol! |
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ill ask around see what we have available i may be able to find you a spot. depends on jobs we have going on. right now im in denton, but this job will last to maybe march or april, then im headed to west texas again, no telling what pops up around here. pay is around 14-16 per hour and like $70 a day per diem, im just guessing, im salary so i never really paid attention to the pay scale all that much. finding a place to rent shouldnt be too much of a problem i think. ive been doing this for 2 years and job to job, i find a place to rent. Quoted:
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how much electrical experience do yo have. and have you ever worked in a industrial plant before.. oh and what part of MI are you living in now? Right now Im In Linden, MI which is 20 minutes South of Flint. Electrical exp, I finished our basement in our last house and did all the electrical, carpentry and plumbing for it. It was fairly large. Mainly its just average electrical tinkering. And the only time i have work in plants was to install the plumbing and fire suppression system within commercial buildings. But honestly, again Im a quick learner and pretty mechanically inclined. You show me things a couple times when its hands on, and Im off and running. I had to take 2 State tests to get licensed in Insurance and I was fortunate enough to pass on both the first time. When I was a plumbing apprentice I was the only apprentice that they had confidence in to leave at a job knowing it would be done well. ill ask around see what we have available i may be able to find you a spot. depends on jobs we have going on. right now im in denton, but this job will last to maybe march or april, then im headed to west texas again, no telling what pops up around here. pay is around 14-16 per hour and like $70 a day per diem, im just guessing, im salary so i never really paid attention to the pay scale all that much. finding a place to rent shouldnt be too much of a problem i think. ive been doing this for 2 years and job to job, i find a place to rent. So its not really a job that I would end up staying put? |
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So its not really a job that I would end up staying put? Quoted:
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how much electrical experience do yo have. and have you ever worked in a industrial plant before.. oh and what part of MI are you living in now? Right now Im In Linden, MI which is 20 minutes South of Flint. Electrical exp, I finished our basement in our last house and did all the electrical, carpentry and plumbing for it. It was fairly large. Mainly its just average electrical tinkering. And the only time i have work in plants was to install the plumbing and fire suppression system within commercial buildings. But honestly, again Im a quick learner and pretty mechanically inclined. You show me things a couple times when its hands on, and Im off and running. I had to take 2 State tests to get licensed in Insurance and I was fortunate enough to pass on both the first time. When I was a plumbing apprentice I was the only apprentice that they had confidence in to leave at a job knowing it would be done well. ill ask around see what we have available i may be able to find you a spot. depends on jobs we have going on. right now im in denton, but this job will last to maybe march or april, then im headed to west texas again, no telling what pops up around here. pay is around 14-16 per hour and like $70 a day per diem, im just guessing, im salary so i never really paid attention to the pay scale all that much. finding a place to rent shouldnt be too much of a problem i think. ive been doing this for 2 years and job to job, i find a place to rent. So its not really a job that I would end up staying put? Nope, but it will get you in the area and be good amount of cash. Cant guarentee thou, idk how the job market is in dallas. If you were in houston you could definitely get a job there. DFW,, meh, dont know much but im here anyhow. |
| Well so far no responses from employers in Texas and still none from up here. I have applied to a lot of businesses. I think when I sell my house, If I get any money from it, Im just going to pack up and head down. Maybe it would be easier to get hired if Im down there. |
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If you really want to end up in Texas, and aren't scared of hard labor - Oilfield. You shouldn't have any problem whatsoever finding a job in the industry. It may not be exactly what you want, but it'll get you here. Crazy good money, but with his injuries I don't think that it would be well suited for him |
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Well so far no responses from employers in Texas and still none from up here. I have applied to a lot of businesses. I think when I sell my house, If I get any money from it, Im just going to pack up and head down. Maybe it would be easier to get hired if Im down there. Very little happens in most corporate worlds between Thanksgiving and New Years. |
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Very little happens in most corporate worlds between Thanksgiving and New Years. Quoted:
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Well so far no responses from employers in Texas and still none from up here. I have applied to a lot of businesses. I think when I sell my house, If I get any money from it, Im just going to pack up and head down. Maybe it would be easier to get hired if Im down there. Very little happens in most corporate worlds between Thanksgiving and New Years. Well if thats the case, corporate has been finding some time to send me responses saying they "dont feel Im suited for the position". |
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Glad to hear about a soon-to-be transplanted Texan! Even though it seems you've been out for a while, my advice would be to try and work the veteran angle pretty hard. Texas is a very pro-military state, and seeking employment through veteran job resources programs might give you a leg up, especially with your other skill sets.
I was all excited to tell you about JCEP (Job Connection Education Program), but then I realized that's specifically for guardsmen. That said, here are some other resources that might help. Texas Workforce Commission - Veterans Resources Hero 2 Hired Helmets to Hardhats G.I. Jobs Military.com - Monster Veteran Employment Center Sorry I don't have a line on anything specific, but I hope this helps. Also, as has been said before, if you can stand to part with the DFW area, Houston may have additional opportunities. |
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Well if thats the case, corporate has been finding some time to send me responses saying they "dont feel Im suited for the position". Quoted:
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Well so far no responses from employers in Texas and still none from up here. I have applied to a lot of businesses. I think when I sell my house, If I get any money from it, Im just going to pack up and head down. Maybe it would be easier to get hired if Im down there. Very little happens in most corporate worlds between Thanksgiving and New Years. Well if thats the case, corporate has been finding some time to send me responses saying they "dont feel Im suited for the position". If you really want some kind of management white collar job you need a degree. There are just too many MBAs out there for any corporation to give a shit if you went to PLDC in the Army. |
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Glad to hear about a soon-to-be transplanted Texan! Even though it seems you've been out for a while, my advice would be to try and work the veteran angle pretty hard. Texas is a very pro-military state, and seeking employment through veteran job resources programs might give you a leg up, especially with your other skill sets. I was all excited to tell you about JCEP (Job Connection Education Program), but then I realized that's specifically for guardsmen. That said, here are some other resources that might help. Texas Workforce Commission - Veterans Resources Hero 2 Hired Helmets to Hardhats G.I. Jobs Military.com - Monster Veteran Employment Center Sorry I don't have a line on anything specific, but I hope this helps. Also, as has been said before, if you can stand to part with the DFW area, Houston may have additional opportunities. Thank you very much! I will check these out. |
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Are you still open for a job in corrections? Honestly I doubt it. I wouldnt say never, but I could have stayed where I was. But realistically Im a liability with my neck in that environment. Im fine with regular day to day work, but I dont have the support needed if I had to fight with Inmates. It wouldnt be fair to fellow teammates. If one of these days I could find a surgeon that could fix my neck than I will be able to do a lot more things. A lot of them dont want to touch me because they are unsure if surgery would work and also that Im to young. |
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If you are willing, you might try applying as a jailer in either of the major counties which make up the DFW area. They're generally not that picky but if you have a decent head on your shoulders (sounds like you do) you should be able to find something easily. It's not an easy job from the perspective of dealing with convicts all the time...you could probably expect to start around $45k(?)...that might at least get you started if you do move down here until you can find something better. The other plus is usually they will kick in some money for tuition reimbursement.
Don't know if you'd get a callback though with a Michigan address...try it and give it a shot. |
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If you are willing, you might try applying as a jailer in either of the major counties which make up the DFW area. They're generally not that picky but if you have a decent head on your shoulders (sounds like you do) you should be able to find something easily. It's not an easy job from the perspective of dealing with convicts all the time...you could probably expect to start around $45k(?)...that might at least get you started if you do move down here until you can find something better. The other plus is usually they will kick in some money for tuition reimbursement. Don't know if you'd get a callback though with a Michigan address...try it and give it a shot. Thats what I used to do. I cannot do that. I did it for 10.5 years. If I got in a serious scuffle I think I would be done. If I got my necked twisted I would be paralyzed. I just would like a normal job. I love being an Insurance agent and helping people, but I suck at it lol. I had thought of somehow doing CDL training. I dont have the money for it or the time. I was going to do it with panam where they pay for it. I honestly dont know if I would pass a DOT physical with prescriptions I take. And then the is OTR. I think I wouldnt mind doing local trucking. |
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So let me ask you this. As Im coming from Michigan I understand Texas is a different animal. We did come down for a weekend but we didnt get time to really explore. What are some really need to know info that I should consider moving to the surrounding area of Dallas?
Such as: Types of housing to look for and refrain from? Because of weather should I seek a basement, if not what do people do to protect themselves without basements? Can you easily dig in texas if I want to put in a shelter or something else? Bad areas? Any recommended areas I should look for in reasonable housing that are accessible to not only Dallas but the surrounding area? What do I need to worry about as terms of flora and fauna? I understand Killer Bees, spiders, snakes. Any scorpions or other bad stuff. Wife is asking. Any good tactical considerations for choosing locations such as Bad areas (see above), water sources etc? Just getting things laid out now. Wife is freaking out about scorpions and she HATES snakes. I think Arizona would be worse for scorpions. But we have gartner snakes galore here. Im not to worried about it as I have been to panama and other horrid areas. |