nvm

[southpaw]

Decided to solve my own problems.

[Duster]

Take this with a gain of salt, I am no expert, just a rather jaded dragon that's been there before, minus the coming out.

Being from your neck of the woods originally Southpaw I know that's is hard as hell to find a job mid/north island. If you can look for a kitchen/restaurant/pub for some temp work (but these can be hard as hell if your not used to being run ragged for almost eight hours), but that's just my opinion, or if all else fails Mc D's in either CR or Comox. Failing that look for something else that you are skilled for or even down the south end of the island towards Nanaimo or Vic. Also remember to keep pounding the pavement with your job search and keep looking on Craigslist and Kijiji as well and don't be afraid to take bitch work to survive.

With graduating recently I'd say look at NIC for something that you like and is a in demand field, it's better to have something honest like a trade to fall back on if you need it. Even if you are leery of taking a student loan don't discount it out of hand (or paw if you'd rather) but also look at the bursaries and scholarships from NIC or if you can still take some from your old school (Timberline or Vanier I'm guessing if your in Black Creek.).

Also if you are starting to feel like shit for no reason that you can explain, please seek professional help, there's always someone to talk to if you need it and remeber you are not alone in this. Even I can provide a scaled shoulder and have been told I am a good listener.

Duster

[bloodredruby]

I would say get the hell away from the job shop, for starters. They do try to help everyone, but they are so bloody bogged down, that by the time you end up getting help from them you no longer need it.

Now, I know that it is a raunchy option to consider, but I would say throw your resume in at any Walmart on the island. Christmas is coming up soon, and most are open 24 hours a day for over a month, and they are hiring now. As for accommodations, there are a lot of small hotels that will give you a monthly rate (I know there are two here in port that are $300 or $400 a month). You can also check with the local furs, see if you can find a roomshare here on island. If you can get in with Walmart, you should be able to transfer to another store, possibly one on the mainland. KFC does that as well; if you get in a union store, you can transfer to any other union store in Canada and maintain company seniority. Plus, both Walmart and KFC have bursaries they offer to employees, if you are willing to jump through the hoops, and have a smidge of good luck.

If you are really desperate to get off the island, however, get in touch with the Vancouver furs and see if there is a couch you can flop on for a week or so, and hop a ferry.

If you cannot get a job, the only other option may be to go to welfare office and get financial assistance. It's not fun, it's demeaning, it is a serious blow to the pride and ego, and it's a last choice, but if there are no other options, then it is what will get you through.

Keep your chin up, man. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and eventually, you'll come out on the other side of this.

Saying that isn't particularly helpful, and I know hearing it is frustrating as all hell, but It's the best I have to offer. And, like Duster, I am a good listener as well, and a good shoulder. It's there, should you need it.

Crossing my fingers for you!!

~Ruby

[Sasha]

I have no advise other than looking to the lower mainland, and there may be opportunities opened by some of us to transition through support or a place to crash for a bit.. We are a community.

If you do make it over here you've got a friend if you wish, and regular furry events as outlets to escape to from time to time even with a full time job here. The 'burbs seem to be a pretty sustainable place to live on minimum wage, from what I read I know you can do much better and am sure you can thrive and live life what you feel you deserve in time.

Tigerface.

[Phyr]

Do you have a class 5 drivers licence? are you willing to get a class 1 drivers licence? There are some companies out here in alberta (Oil patch) looking for drivers with strong backs 15 days on 6 days off or 21 days on 14 days off. As long as you sign the 1 year agreement they will pay for all your courses. If you don't finish the year you are stuck paying them back for the courses. It's hard work up to 16 hour days. Depending on what company and if you can get on they will even fly you back and forth. I know this part is going to be hard I hate to say it don't tell anyone who you work with that your out of the closet, still a lot of ass#@$&! around that can't accept people for being different. I am straight and have to keep the fact that some of my best friends are gay.

If that sounds promising you can private message me and I can direct you where to hand your resumes in at.
Peace

Phyr.

[southpaw]

Do you have a class 5 drivers licence? are you willing to get a class 1 drivers licence? There are some companies out here in alberta (Oil patch) looking for drivers with strong backs 15 days on 6 days off or 21 days on 14 days off. As long as you sign the 1 year agreement they will pay for all your courses. If you don't finish the year you are stuck paying them back for the courses. It's hard work up to 16 hour days. Depending on what company and if you can get on they will even fly you back and forth. I know this part is going to be hard I hate to say it don't tell anyone who you work with that your out of the closet, still a lot of ass#@$&! around that can't accept people for being different. I am straight and have to keep the fact that some of my best friends are gay.

If that sounds promising you can private message me and I can direct you where to hand your resumes in at.
Peace

Phyr.

Heh well no I don't and if I was to go up north it would be with my OFA lvl3 but thank you for the effort.

[Phyr]

Just so you know the Oil patch is not restricted to up north alone I have been down in southern to northern Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba.
You can even get contract jobs where you just work for 6 months and then enjoy the rest of the year, that is what I usually do.

Just an option. Good luck in the hunt.

[Gizmo]

There are plenty of jobs in the Lower Mainland ... My mate just moved here from the same area and within a couple weeks and perseverance, he found a great paying job and can easily stand on his own two feet. To get ferry fare, he hocked his x-box got over here as soon as he could. There are always furries around that will help you as I have done for several others. The key here is that you MUST be on the job hunt every day. Pounding the pavement no longer works and you need to be hyper aware of the on line job searches. If there is anything we can do for you, let me know ...

Giz ....

[Michy]

I know the feeling about wanting to get off the Island I am not from here originally myself.. I didn't exactly have a wonderful start here either, But after being here for going on 4 months life has been slowly but surely picking up. I know it's hard looking for work and when ya have practically nothing it makes life look worse for wear. I am in Nanaimo, supposedly Canada's number one city for unemployment. But seems most of the jobs out here require some sort of secondary education.. But that's not the point of this message..

I am helping a friend now myself Xanitos with finding work here in Nanaimo and there is a program down here that helps people with finding work, getting them started with bus tickets and such as well as other things like helping get ready for work eg. getting you clothes for interviews. I would say give it a shot the place works with WorkBC called SET supporting employment transitions. if a need a place to crash I am sure something can be worked out.

Never give up and let nothing get you down, Push through and you'll be surprised at what happens.

Good luck Southpaw and I hope things get better for you. Just takes time :3