05-19-2007, 07:08 AM
Actualy, I found the discussion rather illuminating, when I compared it to my experience up here in Canada. With the current Canadian dollar being worth 92 cents US(remember it was about 63 cents not long ago?), gas prices up here have hit $1.21 a LITRE. If you care to do the math and convert that to US gallons, you accept what you pay down there far more easily. As a courier, trust me, fuel prices are currently my LARGEST single cost each month. At least, by being self employed, it IS deductable at tax time. ;D And prices up here are CHEAP compared to over in Europe. Ask Simon.
As Azis has experienced in the US, here in Canada the situation is much the same. Most jobs that are available are minimum or NEAR minimum wage and don't begin to cover monthly costs for a household. That's not to say there aren't good paying jobs up here. Part of the reason there are so many minimum jobs available is due to the significant migration of young workers going to the prairies(esp. Alberta) looking for a job in the oil industry. Big money, BUT infrastructure hasn't kept up and housing is VERY hard to come by and what IS available is extremely expensive. Cost of living HAS to be taken into account, wherever you go.
I considered becoming a History major, while in University, myself. Problem was, back then, I really couldn't see much of a market for it. I hope you have better luck Tank. Despite more interest in history these days, I suspect it's still a tough industry to make a living on.
My advice remains the same. 1st, get started in a local job doing WHATEVER you're able to land, regardless whether it has anything to do with your degreee or not. You'll need SOME income, just to get started. Once you've achieved that, then you can start looking around for OTHER opportunities more in line with what you're after. Generally, employers look at your track record in past jobs to get an idea what kind of an employee you'd make in THEIR business, as well as your education. Once in a business in line with what you're looking for, you'll be able to watch for openings further up in the company. Many employers give preference to hiring from within, so it gives you a better position to climb the ladder. Finding something you like that ALSO pays well is the ultimate target. Bare in mind though, as Holmes has pointed out, that just because you have a good good paying job DOESN'T mean it's easy to pay the bills. People tend to spend as they earn. Having SPARE income seldom occurs.
As Azis has experienced in the US, here in Canada the situation is much the same. Most jobs that are available are minimum or NEAR minimum wage and don't begin to cover monthly costs for a household. That's not to say there aren't good paying jobs up here. Part of the reason there are so many minimum jobs available is due to the significant migration of young workers going to the prairies(esp. Alberta) looking for a job in the oil industry. Big money, BUT infrastructure hasn't kept up and housing is VERY hard to come by and what IS available is extremely expensive. Cost of living HAS to be taken into account, wherever you go.
I considered becoming a History major, while in University, myself. Problem was, back then, I really couldn't see much of a market for it. I hope you have better luck Tank. Despite more interest in history these days, I suspect it's still a tough industry to make a living on.
My advice remains the same. 1st, get started in a local job doing WHATEVER you're able to land, regardless whether it has anything to do with your degreee or not. You'll need SOME income, just to get started. Once you've achieved that, then you can start looking around for OTHER opportunities more in line with what you're after. Generally, employers look at your track record in past jobs to get an idea what kind of an employee you'd make in THEIR business, as well as your education. Once in a business in line with what you're looking for, you'll be able to watch for openings further up in the company. Many employers give preference to hiring from within, so it gives you a better position to climb the ladder. Finding something you like that ALSO pays well is the ultimate target. Bare in mind though, as Holmes has pointed out, that just because you have a good good paying job DOESN'T mean it's easy to pay the bills. People tend to spend as they earn. Having SPARE income seldom occurs.
Beware my dark side......oh! Hi Dark.