I am currently stuck in a situation where I have no idea of how I'm ever going to afford to transition or even live on my own for that matter.  I've tried over the past five years to gain some type of skills for the job market and seeing career counselors for help and it turns out I'm just not good at anything other than history and reading maps and of course there's no job market unless I get a doctorate and really I'm not even good at college.  I'm currently trying to become an elementary teacher and I'm not even cut out for that (Let's face it I just plain suck). 

The main question I ask what does someone in my position actually do when they have exhausted all options to supports one's self and also to pay for transitioning?? Am I doomed to absolute homelessness (Which will possibly happen soon when I have to tell my parents that becoming a teacher isn't working out)??  Seriously what is a girl to do??  I really need to know if I'm going be ok.  I need to know if I can even make it.

If it helps here's some basic info: I'm 24 years old still having to live with my parents and somehow managed to at least get an Associates Degree from my local community college.  Also I live in Middle Tennessee just an hour south of Nashville and unfortunately i can't drive and my parents are unaccepting. 

Apprentice plumber.  Then plumber.  Let's face it, it's a relatively physical job that doesn't require a lot of brain power.  It is also hard work.  However, it pays really well and once you know what you are doing, it's easy....

Another option you may like is to become a surveyor.  Maps, maps, maps.  But from a different angle.  It too, pays well and doesn't require much schoolong. Plus, there is a nation wide shortage of surveyors.

Just a couple ideas...

Hugs

Jen

Thanks for the input I do appreciate it but unfortunately me and physical labor don't mix well at all and I'm no where close to being mechanically inclined despite trying to be.  Also I want to note that I'm very terrible with mathematics so anything involving math is also a no go (I couldn't pass any job assessment tests do to that). Unfortunately I'm crap at anything vocational.  Pretty much I'm a worthless individual.

Again I do appreciate it though

   

Try truck driving,if you can read maps helps alot. I drove truck for 7 almost 8 yrs and I miss it. I love history but in today's society there is no need for true historians for true history has no market in today's society which is leaning towards socialism. I'm mtf and never let that stop me from living life.

Please don't put yourself down, you aren't worthless. I'm not a huge financial success but at the same time I did work myself up from convenience store clerk ten years ago to operating machinery today. I drive forklift equipment, all different kinds. It pays a decent wage. Ten years ago I thought I was worthless too. I was afraid of trying anything for fear I would mess up. The first step to getting past feeling worthless is to try new things. When you do you begin to realize that you can do all kinds of things without messing up. I know you can do it. Just believe in yourself. 

Once upon a time I finished college with a bachelor's degree in history.  My dad kicked my backside into going to law school, but that is another story.  And law school is certainly one option if you have a four year degree.

But here are the others:

Museum curator.  If I were you I would contact every big city museum in the country to see what the job market looks like.  And the reason I say big city is that just about every big city museum is close to a metro or subway station, which solves your lack of driving problem.

Reenactor.  Contact the folks at Gettysburg, Williamsburg, VA and any other large historical site and see if they have any need for full time on site guides or reenactors.

There are also a lot of historical ships, airplane museums, and other such places that need folks with historical knowledge.  You can also try amusement parks such as Knott's Berry Farm that use historically costumed actors.

Junior high or high school teacher.  I do not know what your problem with elementary education was, but this is what I was planning on when my father pressured me into going to law school.  You will need a four year degree and a teaching credential, but at least you get to teach history all the time, you get summers off, and the salaries are pretty good these days.

Book editor.  You can freelance or work for a publisher, but you are going to need a degree in history or English or Literature, and some really good reading and writing skills.

There are a few other things I could have done when I finished college back in the 1980's but have been eliminated by technology, such as document coder.

And that is pretty much the list, AFAIK.

Now if you are looking for the easiest ways to make a LOT of money, there are two:

1.  Welder.  I have known a lot of welders in my day, and they never ever go hungry.  There is always work somewhere in the world and it always pays high.  Maybe in 40 years they will have robots to do all the welding, but for now welding remains the job that requires the least knowledge and pays the highest.

2.  Selling real estate.  Like George Foreman said, "If you can sell, you can eat."  When you are paid by commission, you want to sell the most expensive things possible, and real estate is it.  Take the classes, get your license, and learn how to talk to people and how to tell a real buyer from a lookieloo.

Hi -

Sometimes you have to do things that you don't want to do to make a beginning in life. The important thing is to not accept that you aren't capable of being successful.  In this vein you might think about what you'd like to do and then make that into a career.

Of course this isn't easy but it's done billions of times a day worldwide.  Reading your post I suspect there are several things that might appeal to you and you'd enjoy, and you've gotten some great suggestions . . . like becoming surveyor or how about getting into chartography (map making). 

Don't give up or assume there isn't something out there for you; there is if you seek it out.  That's the key as it's unlikely to find you if your aren't putting yourself out there.

Take care and be positive . . . you are much more qualified and capable than you give yourself credit for,

Rachel

I am not career worthy I can't even pass four year college classes i went to a four year college before getting my two year degree at a community college.  Also I am so horrible at math that any jobs i applied for where i had to take a test that had some kind of math i ended up failing each time.

The only good thing i have going is that i have a clean record and thats about it. As for being a truck driver I can't even operate a car due to perception issues. And again any job or career that requires some sort of math beyond the basic is impossible for me to get.

I've tried getting good at things so i can get a decent job and everytime has fallen flat. 

 

Alrighty I'm considering maybe getting a technical certificate I'm just wondering if anyone can give some advice/suggestions on what I should pursue preferably something easy.   

Is there anything that you enjoy doing? Is there anything you would immediately rule out? What are the options at your local community college, or what trade schools are available? If I were going to go back and do something new as a trade, I'd look into these:

- CDL for OTR trucking
- HVAC
- Electrician
- EMT

Most trucking companies are hiring, so the CDL would be the first route I'd go. It is my fall back plan if everything in my life goes to crap. I know HVAC folks and electricians make great money where I am, I'd assume it's similar elsewhere. I know CDL training can be done in a few months. I'm not sure about HVAC or electricians.

I added in the EMT certifications as an option because it's got great potential in both the public and private sector. You can get the initial certification in just a few months, and go to work for a private ambulance company. Get additional certifications (EMT-B -> EMT-I -> EMT-P), and you could get yourself a nice government job with benefits.

Sorry for the late reply it's been finals week and a lot of other stuff.

I wouldn't mind being an EMT but the math and science courses required will just kill me (never been good in both).  As for getting my CDL I literally can not drive a car let alone a semi truck.  And again anything requiring math/science courses are a no go. 

Overall I'm pretty worthless and hopeless in all situations I'm currently facing

I don't think just the certification courses require much additional math and science. They're more of an applied science than anything else. If you were going to get an Associate's degree in Emergency Medical Services, yes. There would be additional courses then.

A university near me gets people certified in about 3 months with 2 classes (EMT-B Lecture, EMT-B Lab). The community college also does it in 3 months, but requires 3 classes (EMT-B Lecture, EMT-B Clinical, Human Biology).

Ultimately you've gotta figure something out. Maybe speaking with a career counselor at a community college near you would help narrow down your list. If you want to avoid math and science, you'll pretty much just have to do a trade program or some kind of certificate. Any degree is going to require at least one math or science course.

Would doing something like this be good?? It doesn't seem too complicated or stressful.

http://www.columbiastate.edu/docs/default-source/2015-2016-program-fliers/certificates/advanced-integrated-industrial-technology.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Also is it possible to get a job as a machine operator without having to do mechanic work??

Sorry for the third post I normally don't do this but I wanna share some bad news that's currently making my situation worse.

A couple of my grades from the semester have come in and did worse than I thought I would do and ended up with a D in both my math class and my intro to education class.  To make matters worse is that I will have to tell my parents for they're already curious of my grades (still live at home unfortunately).  My dad is the that's gonna go mega ballistic when he finds out due to the heavy expectations he has of me and the fact he's still somewhat irritated that it's taking me this much longer to be done with college.  My dad has never been a violent person but has been known to be harsh verbally especially back in May when he cussed me out major when I told him I'll need to go two more semesters just to get an associates in teaching to get into the teacher program at a four year college. 

With all that I can't help but fear for my life this time and have no way of leaving in one piece.  What's a girl to actually do in this type of situation I'm really scared.