I do have jobs, just not a career

I've been too busy to write. I guess when I started this blog, I thought I'd have some "down time" in which to blog. But, I prefer playing games and reading slashdot and just about anything else than to keep on thinking about my job hunt. Besides, I don't find out immediately when my attempts are working.

The most expensive thing that I've done is to sign up for a Certified Financial Planner program. I've passed two of the six modules and will be taking the final exam for the third module tomorrow. Not sure if I'll pass since it's on Taxation which seems to be a problem for me. Now that I'm about half way through, I realize that as a career changer, it might not help me as much as I anticipated. It would have been better for me to get a certicate in IT or Engineering, since that's where all my experience is. But, I've learned a lot about Personal Finance that I know is helping me with my own finances.

The CFP program is also good for networking. One of my classmates turned me on to Primerica which, after much thought and research, I joined up with. Primerica doesn't cost much to join and gives you the opportunity to earn money right away. And I'm learning about something that the CFP program doesn't cover. That would be Sales. I've never sold anything for a living except while I was working at Publix as a Deli Clerk. Somehow, selling financial products is different . Deli Clerks are supposed to be knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, but I didn't have to dress in professional attire. When you are a Deli Clerk, customers come to you. Not so with Primerica. You need to generate referrals to people who will invite you into their homes and open up their financial statements to you. Only then can you help them select products and services that will do them so good.

I also have had some CFP classmates with technical backgrounds. Like me, they are looking at Engineering opportunities. I think most of us would accept jobs in Engineering just as quickly as one in Finance. One classmate used to work for NCR and intends to apply with them when they open up the new office in Duluth. If he gets hired, I'll have him refer me. I have another classmate who was until recently employed by Georgia Tech. He's another one I should stay in touch with, if for no other reason, because we tend to think alike. Surely that's a good thing.