Job market for smokers?

[TomBomb]

Hey man, I just wanted to reinforce to you that drug tests should not dictate whether or not you smoke. Don't let them determine a) whether or not you smoke, or b) what kind of job you aim for. When the time comes for you to get tested for a serious job after college, they will usually let you know WELL in advance. If your place of employment says they administer random drug tests, you'll have to decide then what is more important.

Less-serious jobs, such part-time summer internships and the like, will usually only require a closed-door piss test that can easily be beaten by getting a clean buddy to pee in one of those little hotel shampoo bottles. Just wear boxer-briefs and keep the bottle tucked next to your boys to ensure the piss is the right temperature in case the container monitors temperature.

What it all boils down to is that you should do what makes you happy as long as it isn't hurting others or yourself. If, at any point during your schooling (or any other point in your life for that matter), you decide that smoking is making you lose sight of your career and life goals, it's probably time to cut back a little bit. When the time comes, you'll know when it's time to stop. Some people stop after college, some continue until they're senior citizens. You just have to do what makes you happy, while still keeping the big picture in perspective.

and my bad about posting twice

[JohnnyZ]

JohnnyZ I agree completely with what you stated... I just don't want to be working at the same restaurant 10 years from now ya know? I can honestly say that when I try to think of a career choice that would allow me to support a family AND not have to worry about piss tests I come up blank =( And that's where my real fear kicks in.

Ranjas you may agree, but I think you may have misunderstood me. Working in a restaurant is not what I had in mind either. I work in a restaurant at the moment to, part time during school, and if I ended up like the older guys there I wouldn't be happy either.

What I meant was you need to find the happy medium between making money and being satisfied with your life. I was in my third year of commerce this year, and halfway through the term I realized I hated every class that I was in. It dawned on me one day in the middle of Financial Accounting that, "Hey.. I really do not want to make sure balance sheets add up for the rest of my life.. I'll go crazy". And if there's any accountants here, sorry to bash your profession but I'd rather stay in the restaurant.

This term I transfered into Phys Ed, and in 2.5 years from now I'll have a Bachelor of Phys Ed, and I can play basketball with high school kids for a living. That is my ideal perfect job.. stay in the gym all day and get paid for it. I'll coach football, soccer and hockey too. Maybe start a wilderness club and do a few weekend camping trips. Not to mention June, July and August..

That is my happy medium. What's yours?

[BBoyShotty]

Ranjas you may agree, but I think you may have misunderstood me. Working in a restaurant is not what I had in mind either. I work in a restaurant at the moment to, part time during school, and if I ended up like the older guys there I wouldn't be happy either.

What I meant was you need to find the happy medium between making money and being satisfied with your life. I was in my third year of commerce this year, and halfway through the term I realized I hated every class that I was in. It dawned on me one day in the middle of Financial Accounting that, "Hey.. I really do not want to make sure balance sheets add up for the rest of my life.. I'll go crazy". And if there's any accountants here, sorry to bash your profession but I'd rather stay in the restaurant.

This term I transfered into Phys Ed, and in 2.5 years from now I'll have a Bachelor of Phys Ed, and I can play basketball with high school kids for a living. That is my ideal perfect job.. stay in the gym all day and get paid for it. I'll coach football, soccer and hockey too. Maybe start a wilderness club and do a few weekend camping trips. Not to mention June, July and August..

That is my happy medium. What's yours?

Sounds like you have a good life planned, as far as im concerned:thumbsup: Mines still got some "uncharted territory", but the way i feel about it right now is that's exactly how i want it to be...to quote Common, "The present is a gift, and I just wanna BE"...another quote from a song that reminds me a of this situation, in a way..."Whats wrong with my generation...We was the cream of the crop, but it seems we've been robbed. That's what happens when you trade in all your dreams for a job."

Gotsta love that REAL hip hop...Anyone with me??:hippy:

[thcbongman]

Now after reading everyone's replies I'm seeing a possibly third option which is simply combining options one and two together... I think it would be fair to say though if you're going to accomplish both it's going to take a bit of luck AND hard work. thcbongman mentioned how going straight into the work force has its advantages but without a breathe of luck you may end up at a dead end.

So am I correct to believe that enrolling back into college and just focusing on the NOW portion of my life as opposed to worrying about graduating "on time with society" then things should fall into place on their own? I would like to believe that idea and am certainly up to the challenge but fear I may find myself here again 4 years from now asking the exact same question... only with a degree in hand.

It does take some work, but it's entirely possible to get promoted even though you don't have a degree. It's just much harder without solid credentials that include your educational background.

Everyone has their own path to take. Don't worry about what society think because success can be found in so many ways.

I have to completely agree with JohnnyZ. Having a lucrative job doesn't make you happy at all. It's kinda funny you mention accounting, I'm a living example of the wrong path to take. Everyday, making sure numbers match up between reports, hunting down discrepancies for a goddamn mistake, it pays well but it's not life. The irony of that post is that's what I'd rather be doing, being at a gym all day teaching people how to exercise. Or playing piano for a crazy experimental band, or working at a spa and massaging women all day. Chase happiness before having a lot of money corrupts you from the inside out. Just remember to work hard and smart at it!

[BBoyShotty]

So am I correct to believe that enrolling back into college and just focusing on the NOW portion of my life as opposed to worrying about graduating "on time with society" then things should fall into place on their own? I would like to believe that idea and am certainly up to the challenge but fear I may find myself here again 4 years from now asking the exact same question... only with a degree in hand.

That is basically the path I have decided to walk down..I was basically in the same situation as you are, and also feared that id waste 4 years for a piece of paper, and be back where i started, even more lost than before..But i believe this fear is a totally different issue. Are you sure you want to go back to school/sure of the subject? Because I'm thinking that if you're having these thoughts, then you should really take some time and consider what you want to do in school/life, and if it is the path you want to ultimately choose, then go for it. If it is, then coming out with a degree in a field that you TRULY LIKE, with no job, shouldn't be TOO much of a problem. I mean, jobs don't necessarily come knocking for graduates with degrees..that's a HUGEEE misconception a lot of people have. BUT if you truly loved what you studied, then shouldn't being adept in that subject be ALL you need when you look down at your degree? If not, you should try and figure out how much money really means to you in terms of life goals/happiness.

Don't take this the wrong way, as I'm sure NOBODY wants to work their asses off for a degree, and not be rewarded with a job. That being said, I personally am planning on taking a few years off from fine dining to explore other career opportunities that may arise/meet new people/travel/LIVE LIFE! I know "financially" and "career-wise"as a chef, i could be making a bad decision, but I just have this feeling that those years off are going to be some of the most important of my life; personally, mentally, and hopefully career wise as well (as you never know what could arise when your free!). I know how grueling working my way up in a fine dining kitchen really is (60+ hour weeks, shittty pay, shittttttty hours, physically and mentally demanding, etc) and i know that if I pursued my career as a Chef straight out of the graduation gates, that id have to literally give up my life (no time for ANYTHING) and as it stands right now, i can't give up my bboying...there's virtually NOTHING in this world that can make me quit at this point...especially a career (where i should be able to "stage" anywhere for a day and be right back on board)

Anyways...I guess what i was getting at with the last half was it's all a JOURNEY..YOUR journey. So what if you dont get a job straight out of the gates? You should try to ENJOY being free from all the ties you've been born into thinking is your LIFE (SCHOOL to JOB to WIFE and KIDS, etc.) If it happens, take the time to reflect, try something TOTALLY new that you never had the time to do, but always wanted to...whatever it is.

I guess i realized that my "life-timeline" is A LOT more flexible, than they all made it seem, and i realized what I consider to be imporant to ME in MY life..




EDIT:

THCBONGMAN...right on the nose, my man.:hippy:

[JohnnyZ]

and also feared that id waste 4 years for a piece of paper, and be back where i started, even more lost than before..

Time is never wasted, it is always an experience. The only thing that varies is the value of those experiences . Some, such as doing nothing and laying around the house all day, aren't as mentally stimulating, but at least you know you're capable of doing nothing. Some people have no perception of "nothing". To them it's a tough concept to grasp because every minute of every day of their life has been planned, so they feel like they always need to be keeping active. You don't always have to be doing something to be productive..

I have to completely agree with JohnnyZ. Having a lucrative job doesn't make you happy at all. It's kinda funny you mention accounting, I'm a living example of the wrong path to take. Everyday, making sure numbers match up between reports, hunting down discrepancies for a goddamn mistake, it pays well but it's not life. The irony of that post is that's what I'd rather be doing, being at a gym all day teaching people how to exercise. Or playing piano for a crazy experimental band, or working at a spa and massaging women all day. Chase happiness before having a lot of money corrupts you from the inside out. Just remember to work hard and smart at it!

You know man, I gotta say I really didn't like you after the No Shave November thread. But my heart's going out to you right now man, cause your situation is the exact type I envisioned myself in if I didn't drop out of business school. It's never too late man, you can always take night classes or something. You should never accept a situation the way it is, there is always something you can do. If you are really that corrupted by money, try donating a bit of money to a local charity. I'm sure that might break your Scrooge-like lock on finances.

[BBoyShotty]

Time is never wasted, it is always an experience....

Didn't bother reading the whole post, i take it lol. But yeah, definitely figured that one out after fucking up my first year from an academic standpoint, but at the same time growing soo much mentally in that one year.

[JohnnyZ]

Didn't bother reading the whole post, i take it lol. But yeah, definitely figured that one out after fucking up my first year from an academic standpoint, but at the same time growing soo much mentally in that one year.

Exactly. You might be at the same point more than once in your life, but you will never be the same person. Everything you do becomes a part of you.

[thcbongman]

Time is never wasted, it is always an experience. The only thing that varies is the value of those experiences . Some, such as doing nothing and laying around the house all day, aren't as mentally stimulating, but at least you know you're capable of doing nothing. Some people have no perception of "nothing". To them it's a tough concept to grasp because every minute of every day of their life has been planned, so they feel like they always need to be keeping active. You don't always have to be doing something to be productive..



You know man, I gotta say I really didn't like you after the No Shave November thread. But my heart's going out to you right now man, cause your situation is the exact type I envisioned myself in if I didn't drop out of business school. It's never too late man, you can always take night classes or something. You should never accept a situation the way it is, there is always something you can do. If you are really that corrupted by money, try donating a bit of money to a local charity. I'm sure that might break your Scrooge-like lock on finances.

Hey, I don't blame you for not liking me or anyone else for that matter. I sensed that vibe with a few of ya, don't worry, in truth I deserve it. As you saw, I can have a vicious temper and sound like a complete asshole. I was that day. I have nothing against BA, infact I respect him highly. It's when he said that, I misunderstood his sarcasm. I wasn't thinking about my experience with cancer so much, but those younger than me that are afflicted, them that are suffering, so I hope you understand where I came from, as wrong as I was. Just think about them suffering brings so much sadness inside. For that I do donate to a couple of charities that help them. I also tried to help start a non-profit organization with a few people to help children with cancer connect with each other, but it failed the ringleader didn't have many connections.

I do attend night classes and I'm still chasing a degree in finance. I don't really enjoy it, all I'm thinking is about survival, I can do what I love after work. As highly energetic as I am, life is starting to wear me down, it's not what I want to do. There are some parts of me that just isn't me. But I just been thinking lately of change, your right, it's time to stop accepting this like another day because that's what it will be. I don't really care having a little money, it's I been so use to having the capital to pay for expenses and still have plenty of discretionary income, it's hard to envision making a sacrifice. That's what's holding me back.

[deathduck]

Don't know if this has already been said....

Just keep smokin til you need a job then stop. Once you get said job, continue.