Concerns of job searching and same time considering joining military /&rants
By webgirl01
@webgirl01 (689)
United States
November 4, 2012 2:29am CST
Hi there!
I'm currently job searching and at same time thinking or considering of joining the military branch, airforce or navy. However generally its hard nowadays to get a job especially the field I want. I'm trying not to give up job searching. I just hope I get 2 jobs that I can get paid for.
I have graduated with Bachelor's Degree in Network and Communications Management and a Master's degree in Information Systems (IT)/IS. However, I only had one year experience as junior programmer. I went to DeVry but I feel I wasted my time and money going to that school. I feel it was hard to get a job on that field plus I'm not certified or i don't have an A+ Certification or Cisco or that sort. I also collected unemployment after I was laid off or somethimg. I also thought IT was too broad. The only basic thing I can do is speed up computer, delete cookies, spyware remove, use anti-spyware and antivirus tools, know how to use computer programs like MS Word, Excel. I'm not too technical savy enough or I feel I don't have any use or not advanced enough. I also don't have experience as help desk PC tech even if I applied those jobs. I do enjoy using computers.
However on around 2008, I decided to try out Medical coding and went to some medical coding school. I did have a credential on CCS after I completed the school. I also got certification of completion from Medical coding school. I still find it hard to land a coding position because i don't have enough experience as well. Most jobs require at least 2 years or 3 years mostly staffing agencies. I still collect unemployment since I did work at a family business for 3 years as a cashier.
Then last year around the 4 months between August and December of 2011, I was able to do Digital Marketing Assistant at a cabinet company. Now then, I've been already done with my CPC course but I haven't passed the CPC test. I have one more free try left. I scheduled my date to take it this december. Hopefully I can pass. however, I'm also volunteering at a rehab hospital at the medical records department to gain experience as well and to help me get a job or put my foot at the door.
I also get email about coding but from out of state like Washington or if I want to travel. I also appllied to many coding jobs. So far, I got one interview pre screen but will need to follow up next week. It's hard to get interviews nowadays.
I really don't know if I should stick back with my previous degree in IT computers or go do medical coding since i have my CCS. I have too many interests in my mind. It's like I do or am a wanting to be a jack of all trades that I can do most things but I want to master something. I don't know much about my passions on what I really want. I have too many things...lol but i'm landing on data entry or health information / medical coding side but then I really don't know. I have two different resumes. One for medical records, medical coding/ health information tech and the other one is IT resume looking for help desk jobs. Something about medical coding, made me interest on EMR or electronic health records. I know I like something data or taking notes. I'm also into data entry as well.
Since I don't know what I should be passionate about or what interests or suits me, I thought Military can help me gain those skills since they do have jobs there as well as learning leadership skills that I never known.
I also feel I'm not worth it. I'm not interesting. Even if I'm interested in joining military reserves and at same time job searching, if I don't get a job, should I consider joining? Is it hard to get a job and at same time think of joining the military reserves? Should I keep job searching and start considering military if I really want it? or should i give up job searching and just focus on planning on joining military if i want it?
I'd like to see what its like to do both like actually have a job in civillian world but same time work at the military reserves. I'm 29...i think the age limit is 34 or 39 depending on the service on the reserves.
My brother says California has higher standard of living and theres jobs hiring. But I'm aiming for a job that I am trying to want or get. A medical coding or medical records job. I have a applied for seasonal jobs but most of them already picked people and positions are filled. Also I tried applying for bank but i do get emails saying I do not qualify for teller position even if I tried to do well on those assessment inventory. I've tried Sam's club, target, and Best Buy. I was not selected. Sometimes people or the companies think its easy to apply for job making it seem you can get hired but then they are not gonna hire or that I don't fit for position. Even if I'm 29, I'm not sure what my brother or dad will think about me considering military reserves. I'm not sure what will my friends say as i know one of them can be bias on this. Their thoughts is that I'm not military enough to join or that its dangerous. If I join military, I'm not into combat jobs or that sort. I just feel there may be something interesting there. Also I cant just rely on parents since I live them and I'm almost 30 this year.
I'm almost on the verge of giving up job searching since its almost the end of the year and plus its too late for seasonal jobs. My 2nd backup is thinking of joining military but if I want to do that, then I have to plan or think fast before its too late to even join. Even if I don't want a cashier job or working at stores, I'm still applying for them even if I hated applying for those jobs.
Also another thing if I applied for job or staffing agency that has a job that I want and mentions will i be willing to travel and the position is the one i want located in washington or something, should i be interested or apply or no?
Is it okay to be jack of all trades interest and master of none? just basicaly jack of all trades but master at one thing? I have none much to be proud of and I hate the topic of job searching if it's between me and bro.
What are your thoughts and opinions of all this situations?
Happy Mylotting.
-webgirl01
1 person likes this
3 responses
@deazil (4723)
• United States
4 Nov 12
Well, webgirl, you certainly have a lot to think about. My niece's daughter joined the Air Force - not sure if it was the reserves or regular AF. I don't know much about the military and I haven't seen my niece or her daughter in a while. But I know she's happy. She joined may 6-7 years ago (at 22)and has done a lot of traveling around the world. She works in logistics. She works hard but whenever she sends pictures they're always of her and her (military) friends partying or sightseeing.
I also had a friend who joined the AF Reserves and she's been in the service for 20+ years now. She's a Sergeant with a Medivac unit and has seen some action in Iraq. My niece has not. She's in supply so I don't think she'd be apt to see any. Neither one of these two women were what you would think of as military material. But they are both successful and happy with what they've chosen to do. They work hard and they play hard. They have secure jobs and good paychecks. My niece saves a lot because she doesn't need that much. She spends most of her time living in other countries so doesn't pay for housing, etc. My friend is married and flies a lot. My niece is single. I think you should seriously talk to a recruiter. Find out everything you need to know. They'll tell you. That's what my niece did. Don't let anybody talk you out of doing what you feel you want to do. Ultimately, it's your life and your career. Nobody else can or should try to live it for you. You're 29. Make a decision. You have a lot of talent. Use it. You can also keep looking for that perfect job - do you think you'll find it? In a year? Maybe 2? Or 3? Go see a recruiter and this will help you decide. Really, I promise.
And good luck no matter what you decide.
I also had a friend who joined the AF Reserves and she's been in the service for 20+ years now. She's a Sergeant with a Medivac unit and has seen some action in Iraq. My niece has not. She's in supply so I don't think she'd be apt to see any. Neither one of these two women were what you would think of as military material. But they are both successful and happy with what they've chosen to do. They work hard and they play hard. They have secure jobs and good paychecks. My niece saves a lot because she doesn't need that much. She spends most of her time living in other countries so doesn't pay for housing, etc. My friend is married and flies a lot. My niece is single. I think you should seriously talk to a recruiter. Find out everything you need to know. They'll tell you. That's what my niece did. Don't let anybody talk you out of doing what you feel you want to do. Ultimately, it's your life and your career. Nobody else can or should try to live it for you. You're 29. Make a decision. You have a lot of talent. Use it. You can also keep looking for that perfect job - do you think you'll find it? In a year? Maybe 2? Or 3? Go see a recruiter and this will help you decide. Really, I promise. And good luck no matter what you decide.@webgirl01 (689)
• United States
4 Nov 12
Hi there! thanks for your reply. Yeah I'm either considering Air Force Reserve or Navy Reserve. Both are good. But I also heard Air Force hard to get in to.
I hear generally in the military navy or air force, there's alot of jobs or things to do there. I just don't know if I still should rely on job searching since I live in california. But I would like to have both a civilian pay and a military pay if I do both have a job here but still wanting to work at military.
I know if I should find that job, i should act on it and talk to recruiter. Thanks for wishing me luck. I'm not sure if I'll be able to find a job. It's almost end of year and I still got nothing. I just got an interview last week but that was just initial interview for medical coding. I don't know if I will get the 2nd interview.
I don't know if i will find that job in civilian world. I don't have any experience on the field I want. thats why i was thinking military can give me experience on the job i want.
I hope to hear from you. Thanks again.
-webgirl01
@deazil (4723)
• United States
4 Nov 12
You're on the right track!
But I think a lot depends on talking with a recruiter. My niece and friend are full time in the AF. And the AF/USN can give you training I'm sure. That was my niece's intention. But as she saw that jobs on the outside were scarce she realized it was better to stay in the AF. You're young so I think it's wise for you to pick up whatever experience you can. And anything the AF/USN teaches you is no cost to you (I think). How good is that? You may find "that" civilian job, the question is when? Time has a way of sneaking up on you. I'm 64 and it feels like a few weeks ago I was 44. All of a sudden I find myself out of a job and can't find another one, partly due to lack of experience in - of all things - basic computer knowledge. I always ran a system that was job specific, so when the job went so did everything else. I'm sure you won't end up like me. But you have to do something soon. Procrastination, in part, has done me in. The only thing I can do is warn younger, smarter people not to wait too long. I see that you have foresight and are aware of your options. Time is very important here. Sometimes it's possible to get wrapped up in thinking things out and time is sneaking away behind your back. Time is my enemy. But you can make it work for you. It's on your side right now. Take advantage of it. It seems to me that you have a bright future ahead. I'm very glad for that. If I seem to harp on time too much it's because time means different things to different people. For me it's not good. It's passing too quickly. For you it's good, you have plenty of it. That's why you should utilize it well. I had plenty of time once. We all start out with plenty of time. It's how we use it that's important. I didn't use it wisely. Come on, get goin' girl! Make us all proud! But mostly....do it for yourself.
But I think a lot depends on talking with a recruiter. My niece and friend are full time in the AF. And the AF/USN can give you training I'm sure. That was my niece's intention. But as she saw that jobs on the outside were scarce she realized it was better to stay in the AF. You're young so I think it's wise for you to pick up whatever experience you can. And anything the AF/USN teaches you is no cost to you (I think). How good is that? You may find "that" civilian job, the question is when? Time has a way of sneaking up on you. I'm 64 and it feels like a few weeks ago I was 44. All of a sudden I find myself out of a job and can't find another one, partly due to lack of experience in - of all things - basic computer knowledge. I always ran a system that was job specific, so when the job went so did everything else. I'm sure you won't end up like me. But you have to do something soon. Procrastination, in part, has done me in. The only thing I can do is warn younger, smarter people not to wait too long. I see that you have foresight and are aware of your options. Time is very important here. Sometimes it's possible to get wrapped up in thinking things out and time is sneaking away behind your back. Time is my enemy. But you can make it work for you. It's on your side right now. Take advantage of it. It seems to me that you have a bright future ahead. I'm very glad for that. If I seem to harp on time too much it's because time means different things to different people. For me it's not good. It's passing too quickly. For you it's good, you have plenty of it. That's why you should utilize it well. I had plenty of time once. We all start out with plenty of time. It's how we use it that's important. I didn't use it wisely. Come on, get goin' girl! Make us all proud! But mostly....do it for yourself. @webgirl01 (689)
• United States
5 Nov 12
Hi there deazil! Thanks for your response. :) I hope you are doing well. I'm not sure good ways to talk to recruiter. I heard about taking ASVAB's prior to enlistment. I just hope the job or field I'm interested is inthe branch i want. I'm interested in Medical Records or Medical Coder.
I'm still deciding whether Air Force or Navy but for the reserves part. I also have posted another question in military, I was wondering if you can check my other posts.
I posted this topic at a yahoo forum and he says based on my writing that I may have typo or errors on my resume and that could be the cause.
I'm not sure if Military teaches on penmanship and writing. I write sloppy. Maybe I'm disorganized but I really don't know.
I don't know if I should stop job searching and just move on to the process of if being interested in either branch to do something about it or do both. It's hard to get a job in civillian world nowadays and my brother think its easy because he says there are jobs that are hiring. But I'm thinking he's talking of seasonal jobs. I've applied for seasonal jobs, best buy ,target, sam's club, walmart and even banks like chase. I always say i won't get that position or don't fit that position at all. Seasonal jobs are hard to get. Plus I don't know if I want to land a cashier. I'm aiming towards related field that I want.
I was thinking to have both a civilian and have a military job. But I'm also having different thoughts now since time is running. I don't know if I should do reserve or full time military. And my concerns are what if I do get a job offer soon before or after enlisted to military branch? what if do get interviews during the enlistment process?
And should I start with enrolling now to military reserves and practice the fitness training than do civillian job searches afterwards or should I do the regular job search and inquire and enroll on military like what i'm doing? lol too many things to consider.
I don't feel proud of myself because there's lots of things lacking. I don't like the way I write, sometimes I feel I'm useless. I think I do lack some self-esteem.Plus I feel I don't fit in or connect with civilian world. I may lack some connection with people or relatives who I want to connect with. But I also want to consider that even if I finished boot camp or some type of training that I will still be me and that I won't be too boastful or egoistic. I have read that military can change persons attitude or personality after boot camp but I'll see what happens.I want to improve conversational skills interpersonal and intrapersonal.
Thanks for the compliments. I hope to hear from you. :D Thanks again.
-webgirl01
@Sindelle (824)
• United States
5 Nov 12
Hi, I've been active duty Air Force for seven years. I think the military could do you a world of good if you feel it is a life you can adjust to. By joining you can get the GI Bill which will pay for your educations, excellent health benefits, if you stay in for 20 years a great retirement plan, deployments, travel the world, tdys(temporary duty assignments somewhere usually good typically lasting a few weeks), veterans preference on a job application after you get out, college credits for your technical training, and some great job experience. Read up on it and talk to a recruiter. Also if you wish to ask me any questions shoot.
@webgirl01 (689)
• United States
5 Nov 12
hey Sindelle! Thanks for your response :) how was it when you became Active duty for seven years? Have you tried applying for Office position in Air Force? Do you know any one in other branches like Navy too? I previously had loans from Sallie Mae regards to the schooling that I went to graduate with Bachelor's and master's in IT. However, I'm into medical health information. I like something that deals with data and information but I hope I can learn to memorize and absorbe information as well. Although even if I'm a certified coder without no coder experience, I am willing to learn about health information or medical records.
I hope they do offer health information or medical records job or similar of that sort in the branch I'm interested in. :)
I think in the navy the age requirements is either 17 to 35 or 34. I cannot join AF but probably Air Force Reserve becuase they are 18 to 34.
I hope I get a good recruiter to talk to. Maybe I can ask about ASVab for Officers.
I know I'll gotta act quick and my birthday is comming up on the december month.. ;)
@Sindelle (824)
• United States
6 Nov 12
When I first joined the AF was a lot more laid back. Right now they're doing whats called force shaping. They're trying to slim down the size of the AF so basically you have to be the best of the best if you want to stay. One good example is how when I first joined our flight had an 79% pt test failure. The policy was if you failed your pt test (fitness exam) as long as you got progressively better until you passed they'd leave you alone. Now they're being stricter on how they perform the test and kick people out for failing four in a two year period.
@Sindelle (824)
• United States
5 Nov 12
I also would like to add that if you're 29 years old and considering joining the military I'd act quick. They only take people below a certain age. Unless they changed it I think you are still qualify for the reserves or guard but I'm not so sure about active duty. I'd ask a recruiter.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
5 Nov 12
Personally especially from what I know and have seen, Medical coding is really the way to go. I have even heard of companies where you can do this from your home if you are trained, etc. I know if I was younger this would really be a field I would be interested in. But in reality, the choice and decision is really yours. You need to Pray about it, and decide which on is Best for you. We need to remember it is up to us to be Happy and that is really all that counts.
@webgirl01 (689)
• United States
5 Nov 12
Hi there KrauseHome,
How are you? Thanks for your reply. I am interested in data or health information which is also Medical coding. I heard it is on demand but I wonder if they offer that in the military. I'm interested in military branch but wanting to know if there's any such positions there in the health information department.
Are you in Medical Coding? Hopefully if I gain experience, I can do that work at home, remote coding. :D
