Just got canned, now what?
 

Well, yesterday morning the VP of Marketing's crusade to get me fired finally came to fruition. Not "fired" per se, the President was actually pretty cool about it, and is paying me through next month.

I've been a web/database developer for 6.5 years now, and I guess I've realized that I don't want to do this any more. It's my 3rd layoff, but thanks to poker, this is the first time I don't immediately need a well-paying job to keep myself in the manner I'm accustomed.

The problem is, I really have no idea what I want to do. I'm thinking I want to at least try doing something that doesn't involve sitting in a cube in front of a screen. Don't really care if it's career oriented, doesn't even have to pay all that well. At this point I would say my priorities are:

1. Flexible hours, preferably part-time.
2. Doesn't require lengthy training/education.
3. Affords me the opportunity to meet young, morally compromised women.

The first thing that came to mind was bartender, but the nighttime hours would conflict with prime poker time. So that's out, unless I move to a resort town, which isn't in the cards, at least for the next couple of years.

So give me some ideas. I'm 31, and I live in Atlanta, FWIW.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

You might want to get a job in your current (well, former) field so you can grant yourself more time to think about this.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

Skeevy high school guidance counselor?

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

Off the top of my head, this is the first thing that came to mind ...

- Waiting tables/hosting at a restaurant like Applebees/TGI Friday's/Outback Steakhouse, etc. Lots of young, college-aged girls work at those places. Lunch shifts are short and you'd make good tips. Dinner shifts are longer, but you'd be out of there by 9 or 10 with better tips.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

rodeo cowboy. that looks cool.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
You might want to get a job in your current (well, former) field so you can grant yourself more time to think about this.

[/ QUOTE ]
I've actually thought about this for awhile, I figured that this would probably be my last job in this field regardless of how it turned out.

[ QUOTE ]
Skeevy high school guidance counselor?

[/ QUOTE ]
Preferably something that won't get me arrested.

[ QUOTE ]
Waiting tables/hosting at a restaurant like Applebees/TGI Friday's/Outback Steakhouse, etc. Lots of young, college-aged girls work at those places. Lunch shifts are short and you'd make good tips. Dinner shifts are longer, but you'd be out of there by 9 or 10 with better tips.

[/ QUOTE ]
I've always been curious about what this would be like, it's a definite possibility. Do they let just anyone go straight to waiter with no experience, or would I have to work in the kitchen/bussing tables to start?

[ QUOTE ]
rodeo cowboy. that looks cool.

[/ QUOTE ]
Way too much of a wuss to pull off anything like this.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Off the top of my head, this is the first thing that came to mind ...

- Waiting tables/hosting at a restaurant like Applebees/TGI Friday's/Outback Steakhouse, etc. Lots of young, college-aged girls work at those places. Lunch shifts are short and you'd make good tips. Dinner shifts are longer, but you'd be out of there by 9 or 10 with better tips.

[/ QUOTE ]


The places you listed close around 11 - Then you have to stay around and clean [censored] up.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

Professional meter hopper?

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

what about construction or landscaping type stuff?

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

Move to Alaska and become a crab fisherman.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

Start collecting unemployment.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

Life Guard?

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Move to Alaska and become a crab fisherman.

[/ QUOTE ]

I actually like this idea. I would never do this myself, but for the right type of person this would be perfect.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

I live in Atlanta - want to be a nanny starting around Halloween?

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Just got canned, now what?

[/ QUOTE ]

Change your name to Stew?

Sorry, that was corny. It beats me what you should do, just don't sit idle while your car rots.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Move to Alaska and become a crab fisherman

[/ QUOTE ]
See my response to Dom's suggestion.

[ QUOTE ]
Life Guard?

[/ QUOTE ]
This also has promise. Something I could do just for the summer, anyway.

[ QUOTE ]
I live in Atlanta - want to be a nanny starting around Halloween?

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm terrible with kids. Plus, given my third constraint, I'm a little unnerved that you would offer.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

You could go straight into waiting tables without experience. It's a very low paying job, especially at places like Applebee's, Olive Garden and other restaraunts that market themselves toward uncouth lower-middle class types or whatever.

I'll second the collecting unemployment move. Take advantage of that for a few months while you figure out what you want to do.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

There's some training and education involved, but I would suggest real estate.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Move to Alaska and become a crab fisherman.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is apparently one of the most dangerous jobs in the world

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

jesus dont become a waiter, you'll make decent money for a high school student but its demeaning at lower levels, maybe at a really fancy restaurant with nice patrons but applebees? my advice- unemployment/creating your own web design biz? what sectors are booming in atlanta nowadays? read a coupla books on subjects and do some monster.com research. goodluck

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I live in Atlanta - want to be a nanny starting around Halloween?

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm terrible with kids. Plus, given my third constraint, I'm a little unnerved that you would offer.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good point. I wouldn't trust you with my newborn, anyway. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
You could go straight into waiting tables without experience. It's a very low paying job, especially at places like Applebee's, Olive Garden and other restaraunts that market themselves toward uncouth lower-middle class types or whatever.



[/ QUOTE ]

I worked at Applebee's for two years in high school and while I only made 1.90 an hour as base pay, I easily made 12 an hour in tips. And that was 10 years ago so that would be 20-25 an hour now. Hardly crappy pay for the skill that the job demands.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

Man Whore

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
There's some training and education involved, but I would suggest real estate.

[/ QUOTE ]

I got my license through Bob Wood Realty on Beaver Ruin in Norcross.

I'll bet he's still hustling free classes for new agents.

Be advised though: being an agent is kinda hard work, because people suck.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

You could play poker. I hear there's some place online that's pretty good to discuss strategy if you want to give that a whirl.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]

1. Flexible hours, preferably part-time.
2. Doesn't require lengthy training/education.
3. Affords me the opportunity to meet young, morally compromised women.


[/ QUOTE ]

I think being a pimp would cover these points. Think of the cool threads that you get to wear. I'm sure you could find some good hoes on this website alone.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

Give tours at the CNN center. That place is sweet and everyone I saw working there was a hot woman in late 20s early 30s. And we can play 5K HU freezeouts on our lunch break (I work 5 minute walk from there.)

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Move to Alaska and become a crab fisherman.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is apparently one of the most dangerous jobs in the world

[/ QUOTE ]

Fishermen approaching a medium sized Alaskan Crab:

http://www.filmsinreview.com/Images/...holiday_03.jpg

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

Go pro, how is this not mentioned yet?

Doesn't fulfill req #3, but you can go out every night with all the money you're making!

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I worked at Applebee's for two years in high school and while I only made 1.90 an hour as base pay, I easily made 12 an hour in tips. And that was 10 years ago so that would be 20-25 an hour now. Hardly crappy pay for the skill that the job demands.

[/ QUOTE ]

No way in hell you make 20-25 an hour at Applebees as a waiter. You may have a night or two like that every once in a while, but certainly not on a consistent basis. Most Managers probably don't pull that at those restaurant chains.

OP, As a previous poster mentioned already: You should look into Real Estate. You can make your own hours and pull in decent change if you are good. Especially in an area with the growth rate that Atlanta has right now.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

With web/database development skills, why not look into creating a good content site online and raking in adsense bucks?

Most sites can be done with very simple technical setup, after that it's all marketing - and you can sit on your ass at home.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I've been a web/database developer for 6.5 years now, and I guess I've realized that I don't want to do this any more.

[/ QUOTE ]
Why? What about the job do you dislike so much? Is it the field in general, or have you just had too many sucky jobs?

I ask just because consulting work in the software industry can be very lucrative and flexible if you manage it well. Find a 3-4 month contract for 60-90/hr. When done, take a month vacation, rinse, repeat.
Most jobs are just average, but since it's short term, the hatred for the job doesn't build up.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Move to Alaska and become a crab fisherman.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is apparently one of the most dangerous jobs in the world

[/ QUOTE ]

My (second) cousin went to Alaska to make a documentary about crab fisherman and how dangerous the job is.. He and a few others went there for a month or two and shot a lot of footage.

When shooting was finished, he stayed there to work for a season on a boat, to make money to finish the documentary.

His boat sank in a storm. He was never found.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
You could play poker.

[/ QUOTE ]
As I mentioned in the OP, I AM playng poker, I'm just looking for something during the day to keep me in a routine/get out of the house.

[ QUOTE ]
Give tours at the CNN center. That place is sweet and everyone I saw working there was a hot woman in late 20s early 30s. And we can play 5K HU freezeouts on our lunch break (I work 5 minute walk from there.)

[/ QUOTE ]
Good idea. Where do you work? I worked at 101 Marietta for a few years.

[ QUOTE ]
You should look into Real Estate. You can make your own hours and pull in decent change if you are good. Especially in an area with the growth rate that Atlanta has right now.

[/ QUOTE ]
One of my friends got her license several months ago, and has yet to sell a house. It seems to be (around here, anyway) one of those "who you know" jobs.

[ QUOTE ]
With web/database development skills, why not look into creating a good content site online and raking in adsense bucks?

[/ QUOTE ]
I've considered this too, but have yet to come up with a good idea for it [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[ QUOTE ]
Why? What about the job do you dislike so much? Is it the field in general, or have you just had too many sucky jobs?

I ask just because consulting work in the software industry can be very lucrative and flexible if you manage it well. Find a 3-4 month contract for 60-90/hr. When done, take a month vacation, rinse, repeat.

[/ QUOTE ]
I've never made anything approaching those numbers, probably a combo of not being good enough, and not knowing the right people. If I could find the situation you describe, I would definitely go for it, it just seems like the demand overall is shrinking for this type of work.


Thanks for all the feedback, it's much appreciated.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

how good are you at web design? it is possible to develop some stuff...let me know if you want to brainstorm some ideas.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I ask just because consulting work in the software industry can be very lucrative and flexible if you manage it well. Find a 3-4 month contract for 60-90/hr. When done, take a month vacation, rinse, repeat.

[/ QUOTE ]
I've never made anything approaching those numbers, probably a combo of not being good enough, and not knowing the right people. If I could find the situation you describe, I would definitely go for it, it just seems like the demand overall is shrinking for this type of work.


[/ QUOTE ]
Tough to throw away 6+ years of experience...
I just did a quick search on Dice for contract jobs in Atlanta using keyword 'web' and got 160 hits. Looks like most fall in the $35-55/hr range for 3-4 months. Granted, you'll probably need to refine that....
You might get a great deal of value from this option. You won't be tied down for very long, there's always an end in sight, you don't get bored, you get to travel a lot, meet new people, and work on all kinds of different systems. Perhaps you eventually hook on to a great gig and go permanent.

Just more fuel for discussion....

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

Try being a poolman.

Great hours, good pay, women by the pool.

--The Outlaw

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

The OP is giving me flashbacks. I too was a web guy that ran into the wrath of the head of marketing. They don't take too kindly to being told that what they want won't work and basically sucks. Even if you are right.

Took me awhile to realize I was sick of it as well, but I had a few more years working than you. Finally took a few years off raising the kids, doing real estate, and you can now see my thread on becoming a teacher.

A word about real estate. Unless you know a lot of people and/or are willing to devote a LOT of time to it, especially weekends, don't go there. I've been doing it for 4 years, had three pretty good years, but have seen the market shift drasticly in the last 18 months. There may be some life left in it for a few more years, but the market is rapidly shifting to self-service, much like the travel agent business did. Too many people want too much for their crappy house, want to pay what houses sold for 5 years ago, and basically just waste your time. (My most infamous client saw over 200 houses before she finally made clear the nearly impossible house she wanted. When I found it, twice, she still found a reason to back out, even after writing contracts. I talked to an old time agent who knew of her who said she's been looking for nearly 20 years.) Some people can do really well in real estate, but unless you want to set up as a low/no service listing agent, I'd advise against it right now.

Find your passion, the rest will follow, that's my only advice. There is no such thing as easy money, unless you inherit it.

Re: Just got canned, now what?
 

I work near SunTrust plaza on Peachtree St.