Work-or unemployed- related issue

[Kerri]

o.k. hi everyone-my first post and frankly only because I've scoured the boards and can't find a previous question posed and answered. Bizarre to me, but maybe it just indicates what step I am on...(0 or 1...hmmm...)

I have been in construction warranty for many years, and the market and the industry took a curve, laying me off monthes ago. I have come to the crossroads with my gender situation, as I have before, but somethings different...(maybe age...good and bad thing i suppose). So I think, what can I do for a living that will not only support this costly road the best, but transition and reside post trans (I should add I am 6'3" and don't feel my transition or end results will be what would be classified as 'optimal' as I have seen some ladies, but I don't care...socially I guess, but it might cause problems in the workplaces). I live in Bakersfield, ca, which I don't know if that is part of the problem in me invisioning anywhere tolerable to go in this.

I really could use any ideas or experiences (lived or seen), I am in an answer deficiency here!

Thanks in advance, and by the way for months I have been reading all your posts and you all have such a informative, interesting, and family like enviroment here. Thanks for being here!

p.s. if anyone lives close by, I could really use a understanding friend to walk with
Kerri

[Jessica]

The State of California has laws protecting you.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,3950.0.html

As far as the Job Hunt, I really don't know.
I'm sorry I couldn't be more help.

Welcome to Susan's though Kerri

Jessica

[Melissa]

Computer work--particularly in the technology sector--is always a good bet.  I think that's why a lot of people in the GLBT community are attracted to it and as a result, I think it tends to be more open.  You may require some training to get started though.

Melissa
Posted on: September 12, 2006, 09:26:07 AM

The State of California has laws protecting you.

Law protect against employment, but not ridicule.  I think Kerri wants to get out of construction for transitional reasons.

Melissa

[Kerri]

No, that's it, that's it. I don't want to become unemployable...I'm having a difficult enough time as it is! And yes, I totally am willing to retrain and have been thinking on just what, and that's one thing that comes up (comp tech). And I like it  

I will do some more research on it

thanks

[Jessica]

I was just saying that California isn't a bad place.
It's a lot better than Alabama (where I live).

[Kerri]

Alabama is where Idgie Threadgood lived-and I so love that girl!

Actually, I think there there must be some wonderful places in Alabama-I am quite a nature lover.

[Melissa]

I was just saying that California isn't a bad place.
It's a lot better than Alabama (where I live).

I won't disagree with you there.

Melissa

[LynnER]

I went from being a top notch H.V.A.C tech to a customer service rep due to the market being bad and transition killing the strenght necicary for the job......  Call centers may not be the best place to work but they do pay..... and allot of them seem to have policy protecting us.... *shrugs*    just an idea...

[sheila18]

Kerry:
Years ago I used to live in San Jose, my mother stil lives in the San Joaquin Valley.  I went t visit her this yeear and Northern Cal has changed trmendously  on how it looks the delta is practically gone!
Yet still very much the same, conservative.  A lot of people get the mistaken idea that California is very liberal, well there is a hughely populated state with a very politicaly savy minority.
  So Bakersfield is wow tough for us.
Ok places are Eugene, Oregon, NY city, Upstate NY, Chicago, Il, Vegas, NV, LA, Cal that I know of.
If you are thinking of trsnsitionning you really need an enviroment that will allow you enough freedom to pursue  your dreams.
think it over and make a decision then do it, i know you can
love no matter what, sheila18

[cindianna_jones]

I went from being a top notch H.V.A.C tech to a customer service rep due to the market being bad and transition killing the strenght necicary for the job......  Call centers may not be the best place to work but they do pay..... and allot of them seem to have policy protecting us.... *shrugs*    just an idea...

Until they relocate their call centers to India that is

Cindi

[Sarah Louise]

Hi Kerry, I live in California also, out in the High Desert a couple of hours from you.

California like all states has it good and bad points.  While there are areas (and industries) of the state that are very accepting, there are other areas where it is difficult to be transgendered.

I do some work as a computer consultant and some paralegal work.  Both of these areas seem to be more tolerant.  The construction industry is not the easiest for any woman, although a lot of women are in that industry.

I am glad you found Susan's, you will find a lot of friendly and helpful people here.

Sarah L.

[Sheila]

You need to retrain yourself for something that is suited for women. I don't think that the construction industry, especially in Bakersfield, is very conducive to women. I know women do the work and they are very capable of doing it. Its that they cause callouses and break fingernails and you really wouldn't be looking very good in a skirt on a roof. Like some others have said the computer world is still open and you might be able to combine it with your construction. I know a girl who just had surgery and that is what she does. She makes a lot of money doing it. I don't understand what it is that she does. I know another girl who uses the computer in plumbing. She doesn't do plumbling but she uses the computer to do it. She also makes a lot of money. By the way I live in Eugene and it is very acceptable up here. We don't have any laws protecting us but we are certainly going about our business with out any problems.
Sheila

[cindianna_jones]

Okay.. I've got it for you.  And I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner.

Learn AutoDesk's AutoCAD software.  Take some classes and get good at it.  You can then apply your building trade experience directly to your new job.  It will help you get into any number of really nice positions where they use this stuff all the time. Every trade uses it. Every architect needs drawings. The cool thing about this is that you don't need a new college degree to get a new job.  Because all of your previous experience is valid!

Cindi

[sheila18]

if you take Cindiann's sugestions then
google sketchup is a free Ad program that you can download from google
also free are:
Alibre Design which is more of a real CAD
in the animation side you can learn MAYA by Alias also free is their Personal learning edition.
for animation also BOON TOON
if you wan t to learn hoe to do web pages good free programs are:
HTML-kit the one i use the most, Coffe Cup, N-Vu,  Eversoft 2006.
  If you can get a fre copy of a image editing program then you can get a menial boring job for photo shops I have photo shop but Serif Drawplus 5 is just as good.
  I have an old computer that i got for $300 Pentium IV /2.x GHz is more thatn i can actually use it for.

Just some options
Be well and happy, ,   sheila18

[LostInTime]

I work in the tech sector and transitioned in place with only a few minor issues.

When people ask me what fields to look into for employment I suggest computer security (Security + and CISSP are good certs although ICS2 will only mark you as an associate until you have enough work experience) and accounting.

YYMV and good luck. 

[Owen]

I am currently umemployed having been let go months ago. I am taking computer coarses myself because that is what I want to do. I have noticed that jobs in the computer field are what a lot of women are going into and that is why I have changed the coarse in my life. It was a good thing I got let go. I was in the low end in facilites doing all the hard grunge work witch I did not like at all. So now I think I will have a much better chance at getting a good job. So I think that would be a good thing for you to go into as I think that the computer field is more open minded as to gender.

Just my thoughts.


Owen

Love being female

[Kerri]

oh my gosh thank you all-Sheila, you see what is happening. I traveled around quite a bit...even to the deep south, and this is still top ranking for conservative-i thought it was maybe just me, but i'm afraid i might not be employable if i did this here. but these are excellent ideas-i like the cad thing.

you know, sometimes you can only see out-like i see you clear but i'm a little fuzzy on me. it's odd, i spend enough time...

thanks again ladies
Kerri

[sheila18]

you know, sometimes you can only see out-like i see you clear but i'm a little fuzzy on me. it's odd, i spend enough time...
Kerri

kerri:
what a paradox!   isn't it?
i think is one of those clues that point to the insight that there is no such thing as any one living an independent existance...
  nope is not you, my step dad died last year in Manteca he was a great guy but very redneck, oximoron, perhaps but there it is.
  Some of my relatives live in the valley  >We are considered in the census and statistics as liberals because of the minority status,  but my relatives can't accept homosexuality, abortion et al and those are the liberals in the valley      what a laugh

kerri be god to yourself cause if you are not probably no one else will
love no matter what, sheila18