The job I do now losses it's funding in 8 days.

I have a boy turning 13 and another turning 1 in the next two weeks.

I live in the most educated City in the Nation, and have no degree, but I do have a lot of experience.

I'm a Sr. System/Program Analyst at my current job.

If any of you know of a position of that sort, in Huntsville AL, please drop me a line.

I've submitted over 2 dozen resume's. No bites...

Sorry to hear...I'll shoot you some prayers

No help on the job front, but thoughts and prayers from Iowa for things to work out for you. (They often have a way of doing so.)

Prayers are GREATLY appreciated!

Growing up, there was a time where Dad was without work for 13 months, yet God provided. I have no doubt that in the long run, things will be okay. I'm just trying to do my part...

Man, HAJ, I'm sorry to hear of this. May God be with and protect and bless you. Amen.

Admirable and you have my respect. I pray that all works out for you. Don't forget this may be God's way of moving you to a different locale or even career path!

Best of luck huggles, its brutal out there and I feel for you.

Hope He can sell my house for me if He's planning on relocating me!

Well some companies will buy your house if you have to relocate, or at least sell it for you!

There is always hope.

The real kicker is that last year, I started going to school to fix the no degree issue...

I just started this semester today and now I may have to drop out....again...

Re-up..

Can't. Medically retired...

Sr. System/Program Analyst ........explain...I'm ignorant

Good luck Hug. It's tough to get a job no matter what your skills without a degree of any kind. I found out 4 years ago how tough. My thoughts and prayers are with you. kwg

Basically, I purge databases for information that clients need, develop software, test software, etc...

If you need cold hard numbers, or a more efficient means of getting work done. I'm your guy...

Things are taking off again, but a lot of companies are reluctant to do full hires..

Consulting?

Wyoming.............if you don't have a job here you don't want one..

I'll keep a lookout for your area of expertise

Honestly, I wouldn't know how to market myself for that...

Thanks Keith!

You sound like my ex wife lol. Im kidding buddy ive read your post and I know your not like that, I don't have a hell of a lot of local info but there is always the oilfield, I gave in and went 6 hrs from home to make it happen. You could find a jumping off point along the coast and go offshore, Im on a 21 day on 7 day off schedule and it sucks but it pays the bills very easily, Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Prayers are the only help I can offer but you have them.

Indeed they do! That's how I found myself in Afghanistan!

I think I'd prefer the oil fields to that!

They are no small matter my friend. I learned from a young age that nothing of significance happens in the Kingdom of God without prayer, so it's MUCH appreciated!

You think you ain't...

HAJ, Wifeys a COO/CFO for a major health network and oversees about 25 big hospitals and untold community clinics in a multi state area, want me to have her take a look and see what may be available?

And God Luck ta Ya Bro.

Gunner

I don't have any great words of advice or job leads, just a few comments on toughing it out.

I chose to live and work in rural America and that worked great for me for about 27 years, then technology outpaced the industry I worked in, my rural technical Mecca got left in the dust.

I did the 13 month unemployment gig with 26 weeks of coverage. A guy can sure learn how to live cheap, and a good freezer helps.

I changed careers and am doing well financially today, it is just that my job absolutely sucks. I am, however, learning a much more portable skill than I had in the past. My son graduates from HS this year then I intend to test out that portability feature in an even more rural direction.

Look in to things for displaced workers wanting to continue their education.

Most of all, I just wanted to wish luck and strength to you and your family as you overcome this obstacle.

Ah man! That would be a tremendous help!

don't spew the obama bs, the guys hurting, lies will not make it better.

Thanks Joe!

Tough times don't last, But tough people do.

Stay strong,Keep the faith alive, be patient.

As long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will get there,

I guarantee it.

You will find certain employers will prefer experience before a degree.

The College of Common Knowledge as been producing quality employees for a long time.

Ten years ago I had 4 kids in the House, I had to reinvent myself, at mid-age, in a declining economy.

It can/will be done, just stay confident in the interim.

Start calling contacts. If they can't hook you up, ask if they know anyone who can.

Say Bro, PM me your particulars and specialty areas and I'll pass 'em on to Wifey, she's OOT on business but will return to the farm on Friday evening.

Gunner

mark, check text messages

nothing received yet my friend...

Same here. Have faith my friend. You willing to relocate?

My situation really makes relocation difficult. Houses here don't sell well, and I'm elbow deep in a mortgage. Unless a company can help with relocation expenses and home sales, I just don't see how I can...

That said, I'm willing, if they are able.

HAJ, I hope you get through this ok. Remember, there's always some poor devil who's got it worse.

No kidding! I just saw the thread about the guy that may lose his home that he built due to a fire....

2 dozen is just a teeny tiny start! Send out 200 and then keep sending more!

I sure know what your feeling! I was classified as an Electrical engineer 3 with GM (now Government Motors) lol

Anyway I had no degree either but I was doing the work and doing it very well. They approached me for a position at GM until they found out I had no degree! SO I stayed with the job shop I was in (Modern Engineering)! I still designed the controls for the production lines we built aqnd supplied to them but for slightly less money than GM would have paid!

Anyway, here's a link that might help ya some while ya pull out your hair searching for descent work! http://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm

and another http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/senior-systems-analyst-programmer-salary-SRCH_KO0,33.htm

Hope it helps some!

Thanks MGB. The hard part is finding 200 positions that I qualify for. Everyone wants a BS. I've spent days on Glassdoor, Indeed, and Monster. Good places to look though!

Just saw an article in the paper tonight that the Marcellus gas industry expects to hire 4000 in the coming year. Might not be in your field but it's something to look into.

Hang tough,

Dale

Dice also start looking at teksystems and other tech recruiters.

I worked contract work in IT for 3 or 4 years until I got a perm position. Not as much stability but the money is pretty good.

Hadn't heard of them, but will be checking with them in the morning. Thanks mack!

Here is a list of all the tech recruiters

http://www.interbiznet.com/hunt/Recruiters.html

and another

http://www.ere.net/2001/01/09/a-list-of-recruiter-associations/

These might help you find a recruiter that handles something in your wheelhouse.

I am SQA and there are a couple of recruiters that specialize in QA.

Also look to the forums for your skillset.
I go to several for SQA.

Lots of them will have a special section for job postings.

Same for any certifications you have they often have job postings on their site.


Also Linkedin is your friend.

If you want to start making some connections you can PM me and I will add you into my network to get started.

Give me a few more minutes and I can probably keep you busy for a few days!

Good Luck and keep this post going I will check back and keep looking for anything that can help.
LOL

Mack

Instead of just sending resumes you should wait a week and call about the job. Ask for the recruiter, tell him that your well qualified for the position and ask if he has seen your resume.

One problem is that businesses will use your lack of a degree to reduce the number of resumes that have to go through. Generally these positions require a degree in CS. So it will be difficult.

If you can learn web stuff and seek a job doing that.

Thanks Mack! Good stuff there! I wish I had any certs...

Yep! Those are the problems that I'm facing. It's not a complaint, it just is what it is.

I have called every place that I submit a resume to, to follow up. I try to stay on them pretty continuously.

Don't! (Go to school, I mean.) Complete waste of time and money, especially if you already have work experience. Anyone who sticks about the lack of a degree isn't somebody you want to work for.

Read books, read blogs, do exercises, follow gurus on Twitter, attend user's groups, participate in area dojos and katas--much more effective, much less expensive. Not only will you learn much more than any school will teach you, but you'll wind up networking with all sorts of real people in the industry, many of whom will know where the jobs are.

How far are you willing to travel? How much are you willing to learn? Is this kind of work the penalty you grudgingly endure in order to be able to bring home a paycheck, or is it the driving passion of your life?

cant help in Alabama but it sounds similar to the job my wife turned down in Boise, she has a degree in computer systems intigration and picked up a second job locally when a programming outfit tried to set up a partnership with the tribes.....worse comes to worse i can see if she still has contacts with the company she was working for:

http://www.avanade.com/en-us/Pages/default.aspx

If you're unfortunate enough to have to submit resumes, then I guess that's what you have to do.

But if you were a well-known member of the software-development community in Huntsville--because you were a faithful member of a couple or three user's groups (even presented--they're always looking for speakers), had attended a couple of Code Retreats and distinguished yourself, and had maybe collaborated with some local folks on an open-source project or two--then your name would already be swimming around, and if you had to submit a resume it would be an after-the-fact formality just to satisfy some obscure HR requirement once you were already hired.

Once I figured that out, the whole job-hunt landscape completely changed for me. In the last five years or so I've probably worked for eight or ten different companies. All of them came looking for me, rather than the other way around, and as far as I know none of them have ever seen my resume. I'm not actually that big a deal, but a whole lot of people around here have heard of, listened to, talked with, and paired with me, and since I don't royally suck either, when they need to hire somebody it's a lot easier to go with me than it is to dig through a pile of resumes to find some anonymous no-name about whom they know nothing and who might be a big risk.

That's your secret, right there. Don't be buried in a pile of resumes; be part of the active community.

Find a different town.

Jim

Find a headhunter.

Expand your search.

If you can't sell your house, rent it.

Say a prayer and be thankful.

Dave

He's the same God now as then. You and your family will be provided for. Have faith and I, and many, will begin praying.

Good luck and prayers for ya HUG!

never forget to think outside the box. juggle the career between wife and husband.

take care of the kids while the wife puts food on the table. go to nite school to upgrade certifications, licenses, etc.

continue to network within the industry, and keep your ear to the ground to listen for the sound of approaching hoofbeats (new businesses coming to town, existing businesses expanding).

in a fall back position, consider working out of town on a commuter basis, while the family continues to hold on in Huntsville. not easy, but what is?

Big + 1 on Barak's post

My job wad eliminated a couple of years ago. I ended up moving for a new job. Prayers for you.

monster.com We have hired a number of people off of this jobsite

Have you tried linked in ?

Very sound advice, B. Thank you, sir. This has been my failure to do up to now. This kind of thing actually never crossed my mind. It won't be my failure going forward.

I thank everyone who offered advice, prayers, and well wishes. Some of you, I've been a real jerk to in the past, yet your character shows through in these instances. I am humbled, and grateful.

Wish I could help you,but all I have is prayers and moral support.

HAJ....... Be relentless and fearless in your search....

Go to the companies or call them that want degrees..... Make up a demo of your best stuff and just ask them to take a look at it before making a decision......

Companies around here that want degrees, really want experienced individuals that can push through the challenges...they only put the degree thing on their job opening requirements so that the ones with low selfesteem do not apply......

If your experience is in Military expecially the aviation field try Avion Solutions. They have been one of the best companies to work for in Huntsville the last few years.

https://www11.ultirecruit.com/AVI1001/Jobboard/ListJobs.aspx?__VT=ExtCan

HAJ

"another turning 1 in the next two weeks."

I'm betting you name him....HOUDINI??

Prayers and good wishes from Fl Sir.

Try to get a job as a non-essential federal employee. You won't have to work hard, the pay, benefits and retirement program will be better than what the private sector offers, you will get automatic raises, and you will never get laid off. Hell, you will even get a day off with pay every time it rains hard, the wind blows or you get more than an inch of snow.

Thanks for the laughs Rick!

That's been my experience and how I landed the job that I'm currently at. Experience carries more weight than degrees. So, I'm submitting everywhere that is posting a job that has skills that I'm proficient in. Then I call them, every other day. Admittedly, I haven't shown up in person, but starting Monday, that's my plan to add that to the rotation.

Gunner Hawke actually

This really means the world to me, Terry. I can't thank you enough, my friend.

I'm VERY familiar with Avion and know a lot of people over there. I've worked with some of their software for years dealing with Aviation Supply. I've submitted there (August 3rd) and called in my favors. Nothing materializing yet...

I'd love to work there...

Good luck to you HUJ, with your attitude you shouldn't be out of work very long.

Good luck man, I will second the "look in Wyoming" post. I was just over at Douglas yesterday and that place looks like NYC right now with workers crawling all over the place

I'll second the thoughts on contacting the folks you know in the business. Nothing beats contacts, that's how my last 3 jobs came to me. I'll also second the idea of working as a consultant....didn't think I would like it but after I did it I love it. My time is precious to them and they don't bother me with useless meetings, wasted paperwork, if they want me it's for something that is needed....and the pay is great.

Mark,

PM inbound.

Ed

It's understandable, especially for full-time employees. It can be tough for busy folks with (apparent) job security to find time or will to do stuff like that.

For me, it took being a consultant, with the concomitant struggle to stay marketable.

Mark,

Still waiting on your resume. Also, don't worry about the hunt club dues for next season. If you don't relocate too far, it will be taken care of.

God Bless You.

Prayers sent!

BMT

check out transocean
offshore oil work of all types
im just a retired "dumbass grunt"
I work 21 days on
21 days off
12.5 hr days
make 70k a year


you got aviation experience
mech
hydraulic
elec
????
you could be a et
electronic tech or motor man
or work subsea stuff/hydraulics




they hired people who worked at the tootsie roll factory on their electronics as et,s when I went to school
they hired house hold electricians to be electricians


most of their stuff is ojt and as long as you got skills that are compareable they will place you in a job for sure



check em out...................

I got hired as a roustabout from a job fair at ftcky back in ealry april
entry level
crane work
rig load unload and move stuff on the rig
stack and rig and load drill pipe
kinda like longshoreman stuff (slave to crane)
then I also swab and clean and paint
just like the guys I used to make fun of in the navy
but im the highest paid gawtdamed deck swabbing mofo in Clarksville tn when we do that stuff when their is nothing to do with the cranes

they have 5 -6 new drills coming into the gulf of mexico over the next 3-5 yrs and need to hire approximately 1800-2000 people
from roustabouts to captains of rigs and everything in between

they need people to ojt their way up the food chain
to man these new ships with percents of people from their existing rigs and drillships to fill out these new drill ships

if push comes to shove, a $100,000 truck driving job out of town is better than and trumps a $50,000 in industry job out of town.

night school for retraining plus umemployment insurance might be the exact prescription for an opportunity for what you really want to do.

ask the wife to pitch in. she's part of the game as you well know.

God bless.

Well done sir!

Mark...good luck...you're in our thoughts and prayers.

I just caught this, so sorry to hear of your troubles, friend. It kinda looks and sounds through the tale end of this thread that I am seeing like the job issue might be getting resolved? If not, PM me. You have, in my estimation, the right "Stuff" to make it in the financial services fields like I did. I helped a couple of other members here get their start and at least one of them (you would instantly recognize his 24hrcf cybername if I posted it) is still doing really well several years after.

I grossed $20K per month, netted about $8K-9k /mo average for the last 15 years I was still active, and it is largely my residual income or service fees from those years that is keeping me afloat now. In only 6.5 years I will start drawing a very nice lifetime pension, Sherri and I are just treading water until then.

Prayers for sure, but you would not have to move if this career change worked out for you. I am retired fully, no dog in the fight or financial gain to make in any way.

The 'OTHER' Mark.... <G>

Always knew there were some good people here, kudos to all of you!

Mark, my friend, thank you...

Things are far from resolved. PM inbound...

Those are not taken for granted. Thank you...