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Topic : Career Goals

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Created on : Thursday, July 07, 2005, 09:24:24 am
Author : dataimport
Are you stuck in a dead-end job, or do you feel you are on the career path of your dreams? Talk about how to set - and achieve - your goals!

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queentween
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January 18, 2006, 12:38 pm PST

Not crazy

Quote From: bronze

First, I am pretty new here.   

This has been a pressing question for the past four or so years.  I worked 15 years in a factory.  When it closed, I was unemployed for a year, and took the time to be with my daughter and youngest son.  In that time, while they were at school, I was trying to figure out "what do I want to be when I grow up?"  It was Obvious I couldn't be unemployed forever, so I applied for a lot of jobs, and finally took one I thought I would like.  It is retail, and while I like the people I work with, I am just not happy there.  The pay is much lower than I need, and the drive is 45 minutes each way in my old car. 

What I really want is my own business. 

Isn't that Insane???  I wanted something Like a book store.  I know really very little about owning a business, but it's my dream.   

So, could you all help me out here?  

Am I crazy, number one? 

What do I need to fulfill this dream? 

And, thank you for letting me ramble a bit... 

bronze 

You are absolutely not crazy to want to start your own business, however, I am going to give you a heads up about bookstores- they are simply not profitable anymore. The big names have beaten the little guys out and the profit margin on books is not that much- plus, people are buying online from Amazon etc.  Owning a business is fun, but its a lot of work with no guarantee of success, benefits, income and when you finance, the payments have to be made whether or not you have food on the table- check out what your community is in need of, and desiring- good luck!
 
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bronze
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January 18, 2006, 1:18 pm PST

big thanks...

Quote From: queentween

You are absolutely not crazy to want to start your own business, however, I am going to give you a heads up about bookstores- they are simply not profitable anymore. The big names have beaten the little guys out and the profit margin on books is not that much- plus, people are buying online from Amazon etc.  Owning a business is fun, but its a lot of work with no guarantee of success, benefits, income and when you finance, the payments have to be made whether or not you have food on the table- check out what your community is in need of, and desiring- good luck!

i really appreciate the advice.  i had planned to sell things other than books too, but your point is Well taken.  especially since i live in a small town in the midst of southern Kentucky.  Not much use for a book store when in 25 miles, you come across a Barnes and Noble.  guess staying in my low paying job is all i can do for now.  thanks again. 

bronze 
 
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renagade
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January 18, 2006, 6:30 pm PST

Queentween - must differ again

Quote From: queentween

You are absolutely not crazy to want to start your own business, however, I am going to give you a heads up about bookstores- they are simply not profitable anymore. The big names have beaten the little guys out and the profit margin on books is not that much- plus, people are buying online from Amazon etc.  Owning a business is fun, but its a lot of work with no guarantee of success, benefits, income and when you finance, the payments have to be made whether or not you have food on the table- check out what your community is in need of, and desiring- good luck!

'Owning a business is fun' - yes it is, 'but its a lot of work with no guarantee of success' - wrong - there is a guarantee of success - it's called how much effort you put into it, and are you willing to do 

what must be done.  
 
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bronze
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January 19, 2006, 12:05 pm PST

Thanks

Quote From: renagade

'Owning a business is fun' - yes it is, 'but its a lot of work with no guarantee of success' - wrong - there is a guarantee of success - it's called how much effort you put into it, and are you willing to do 

what must be done.  

I appreciate Your advice too.  I live in a small southern Kentucky town, and I would love to open a book store here, however, do we need one?  Would people in this small town patronize it?  Plus the fact, that I have No money to fund a store.  I wouldn't even know where to go to Find the money.  Suggestions? 

bronze 
 
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renagade
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January 19, 2006, 7:28 pm PST

Owning Your own bus

Quote From: bronze

I appreciate Your advice too.  I live in a small southern Kentucky town, and I would love to open a book store here, however, do we need one?  Would people in this small town patronize it?  Plus the fact, that I have No money to fund a store.  I wouldn't even know where to go to Find the money.  Suggestions? 

bronze 

First of all the money would be the last thing you do because everything else has to be in place. 

  

Why do you want to open a bookstore???  Do you love books.  Remember one of the reasons people enjoy having a business is that it's fun - that's right you should have fun at work - get paid for having fun!!! 

  

There are two things that kill a business - owners that think they know everything/try to tell their employees how to do their jobs And hiring the wrong type of people. 

  

Have you thought about the internet - plenty of opportunities abound, I myself am developing a website. 

  

Do you mind giving me your email. 

  

Rog 
 
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kjschn
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January 21, 2006, 10:14 am PST

One hour photo shop

I want to open a one hour photo shop in the small town of Kalona, Iowa.  A casino is being established about 8 miles away in Riverside.  My thoughts are that the traffic from the casino will make the photo shop successful, but on the otherhand Iowa City is only 15 miles from the casino site.  Iowa City has several one hour photo setups.  I would love to hear suggestions.  Do you think the shop would prove to be successful or is it too risky??
 
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renagade
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January 21, 2006, 4:28 pm PST

I would first

Quote From: kjschn

I want to open a one hour photo shop in the small town of Kalona, Iowa.  A casino is being established about 8 miles away in Riverside.  My thoughts are that the traffic from the casino will make the photo shop successful, but on the otherhand Iowa City is only 15 miles from the casino site.  Iowa City has several one hour photo setups.  I would love to hear suggestions.  Do you think the shop would prove to be successful or is it too risky??

get in touch with one hour photo and find out what they will and won't allow.  Then contact the developer of the casino and find out what's what.  You might be charged more being closer to the casino and you might not be allow at all. 

  

Be sure and due your due dilligence. 
 
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tkbirdsong
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January 21, 2006, 5:10 pm PST

I need help find my career niche

This message is about the career section of the web site......I am a college graduate with a degree in Education and minor in Life/Earth Science.......I didn't know what I wanted to to after graduating...even though it looks like I wanted to teach.....it was just to late to turn back and change majors and besides I was sooo tired of being in school......I feel as if I could wipe my feet on my BS degree..........I taught in the Dallas ISD for 2 years and got a really bad deal. I was considered an intern...but to make the story short, I was not given the tools to be successful........in short, I was supposed to be given a mentor in help me in the classroom and I paid for the services in the amount of 500 dollars....well, my so-called mentor ( a tenured teacher of 25 years)...checked out on a medical leave of absence....to no fault of her own, I realize this, but the ball was dropped on me and the principal didn't do her job in replacing my mentor with a qualified person.....she merely place substitute teachers in my classroom who knew way less than I did....anyway, I did all of the work and had the entire Special Educaion department on my shoulders as a brand new teacher with no real classroom experience.....BUT I jumped into what I was given and was proactive...I did the parent meetings and ARDS and IEPs for the kids and everything and when I came time to evaluate me a Christmas time, I was graded down due to no instruction on what I was doing right or wrong........the principal never entered my classroom the entire time I was there....how that for not fair............NOW, I have basically been blackballed in the teaching industry and I don't know what to do.........someone please help me......I have the drive, the education, the examinations pass for the state of TX, yet I am not officially certified due to the actions of people above me.........what do I do?????....I've applied to many many school districts and I get the same answer every time.....they hire certified teachers before me....even if I ask for an internship.....same answer.....I've tried and tried.....and am soo sad...........HELP!!   .......Tammy in Waxahachie, TX 
 
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cds777
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January 21, 2006, 7:17 pm PST

Wandering

I just came across two messages from a 25 year old and 30 something year old with a problem similiar to mine. You two have an advantage over me because I'm 42 and have never had a clear sense of what kind of career would fit me best. Hopefully you'll find the answer soon. It's an awful feeling; a feeling of being lost. Although I can't think of where else to turn for help, I know that I haven't tried everything because when I find the right resource to help me I will be on my way to a happy and fulfilling career. Ever since high school I didn't know where I wanted to go and have since spoken with a variety of people, gone through tests and books and survival jobs.  I'm not passionate about anything enough to pursue it in depth.  Any ideas anyone?
 
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renagade
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January 23, 2006, 5:40 pm PST

Tammy - ya ain't gonna like this

Quote From: tkbirdsong

This message is about the career section of the web site......I am a college graduate with a degree in Education and minor in Life/Earth Science.......I didn't know what I wanted to to after graduating...even though it looks like I wanted to teach.....it was just to late to turn back and change majors and besides I was sooo tired of being in school......I feel as if I could wipe my feet on my BS degree..........I taught in the Dallas ISD for 2 years and got a really bad deal. I was considered an intern...but to make the story short, I was not given the tools to be successful........in short, I was supposed to be given a mentor in help me in the classroom and I paid for the services in the amount of 500 dollars....well, my so-called mentor ( a tenured teacher of 25 years)...checked out on a medical leave of absence....to no fault of her own, I realize this, but the ball was dropped on me and the principal didn't do her job in replacing my mentor with a qualified person.....she merely place substitute teachers in my classroom who knew way less than I did....anyway, I did all of the work and had the entire Special Educaion department on my shoulders as a brand new teacher with no real classroom experience.....BUT I jumped into what I was given and was proactive...I did the parent meetings and ARDS and IEPs for the kids and everything and when I came time to evaluate me a Christmas time, I was graded down due to no instruction on what I was doing right or wrong........the principal never entered my classroom the entire time I was there....how that for not fair............NOW, I have basically been blackballed in the teaching industry and I don't know what to do.........someone please help me......I have the drive, the education, the examinations pass for the state of TX, yet I am not officially certified due to the actions of people above me.........what do I do?????....I've applied to many many school districts and I get the same answer every time.....they hire certified teachers before me....even if I ask for an internship.....same answer.....I've tried and tried.....and am soo sad...........HELP!!   .......Tammy in Waxahachie, TX 

I see you as two people.  Either a complainer or someone's that scared and then someone who takes the bull by the horns and does something to be shot down because of rules and regs.  Welcome to the real world. 

  

You say you werent given the tools to be successful - Wrong!!!  When I got my degree were the words 'you have been given a bag of tools and some building blocks, the rest is up to you'.  Did you expect to be given a 'guided' tour of everything.   

  

I cannot believe you don't know what to do, because I know what I would do. 
 
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