Help locating Career Options for Former Consultant

Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, · Guest

I hope you don't find, this question, off topic...

I was a Computer Programming Consultant for 15 years. As you know, that field
has very little
demand, for someone past 40.

I had started work as a Security Guard at night, and found that I like the job
very much. I am
looking for resources on how to further my new career. For instance, additional
training, etc.

So far, I have read some books, from the library. I may also be interested in
working overseas, but
I don't know who to contact. I have a passport.

I am treating this job serious. So I figured, that a great place to obtain,
some help, would be from
this forum.

I find similarities with being a Guard, and consulting (except for the low
pay)...

I work at multiple assignments during the week. I have to keep track of my
hours and really have to
look out for myself. I purchase my own equipment, and have to maintain it. In
addition, I schedule
my work hours, and have to maintain good relationships with patrons, customers
and clients.

The negative, is that I do not have a military background. However, I would be
interested in
learning, all I can and furthering my new career.

Any help, would be appreciated...

Thanks much,

Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC
Author of POWER TIPS FOR THE APPLE NEWTON and INTRODUCTION TO CSP
Author of RECRUITSOURCE PEOPLESOFT EXAM and RECRUITSOURCE SAP/R3 EXAM

NOTE: To send me an email, remove TAKEOUT from my email address:
larryTAKEOUT@seldin.net

NOTE: My web home page: www.seldin.net

John A. Weeks III · Guest

In article <11ec2urr06ched4@news.supernews.com>,
"Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC" <larryTAKEOUT@Seldin.net> wrote:

Quote: I was a Computer Programming Consultant for 15 years. As you know, that field
has very littledemand, for someone past 40.

I had started work as a Security Guard at night, and found that I like the
jobvery much.

Yes, the consulting business has all but dried up in many
parts of the USA, and computer jobs are harder to find. But
they are out there, and things are getting better. Just in
the past 90 days, the market has really heated up here in
Minneapolis.

While you might enjoy a variety of things, you have a limited
time to earn enough for retirement. As a result, you owe it
to yourself and your family to be working at your highest and
best use. That means a job in technology.

At this point, you are probably filled with anger and frustration
over the job situation and what President Bush has done to us.
But all that stuff is a moot point, and you have to let it go.
Its time to start looking again, and get back in the saddle.

-john-

--
======================================================================
John A. Weeks III 952-432-2708 john@johnweeks.com
Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com
======================================================================

Mike Turco · Guest

"Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC" <larryTAKEOUT@Seldin.net> wrote in message
news:11ec2urr06ched4@news.supernews.com...
Quote:
I hope you don't find, this question, off topic...

I was a Computer Programming Consultant for 15 years. As you know, that
field
has very little
demand, for someone past 40.

I had started work as a Security Guard at night, and found that I like the
job
very much. I am
looking for resources on how to further my new career. For instance,
additional
training, etc.

So far, I have read some books, from the library. I may also be interested
in
working overseas, but
I don't know who to contact. I have a passport.

I am treating this job serious. So I figured, that a great place to
obtain,
some help, would be from
this forum.

I find similarities with being a Guard, and consulting (except for the low
pay)...

Well, even if consulting doesn't pay as well as doing guard work, its still
a lot of fun :-)

I guess my first question to you would be, how are you at doing sales?
Another question would be what kind of ideas do you have re. growing in this
business? I would think that the time is ripe for security consulting,
especially at the level of physical security. So you might get in touch with
some alarm companies and other security related companies in your area and
see what they have to offer in terms of products and services. Hey, if your
customers are hiring you as a guard, then you might as well sell them an
alarm system while you're there.

Another thought might be for you to hook up with some of the bigger security
outfits in your area. I believe that Control Risks Group,
http://www.crg.com/ , is pretty big in your area. They have a number of
hardware/software systems in place and they do some really interesting work.

That entrepreneurial spirit of yours seems to come through in your post. I'm
sure you'll find the right opportunity.

Mike

Deodiaus · Guest

I use to chit chat with the security guard at 55 John St in NYC.
He was making something around $12/hr, and would commute 2 hrs each way
from Queens. It was a relatively safe job inside, as opposed to
guarding some places in Queens, so he liked that.
The big problem I see is that there must be a thousand people for every
such job openning.
The guy was barely getting by. I guess he was living in a dump
apartment and eating leftovers from occasional parties. It seemed a
harsh life and he seemed like a nice guy. I had preconceived notion
that most guards were ex-Military and somewhat hardened by their life.
I could not imagine living on such a meager income. How does one save
enough when everything goes into paying basics?
He really had no other marketable skill, but I believe that you do.
Yes, the situation is tough, but I think you can sell your expertise.
Computer operations is a skill and should pay better than a guard. You
have to hunt around and sell youself. Not an easy thing to do, as the
rejection can drive you into depression. But there are people who need
our skills, especially when it involves on-site presence and attention.
My friend remarked that you have to feel a client's pain in order to
get him to open his wallet. That is true in any industry. Sometimes
the pain is mild, e.g. his motherboard is cooked, and sometime it is
great, he has a multi-million dollar project behind schedule. You have
to use your smarts, find him, figure him out and solve his problems.
Finding him is tough. But think of people who you might know who might
be able to point you in the right direction. Attend computer meetings,
attend city planning boards, put up flyers in libraries and
supermarkets, cold call people in business papers, talk to people who
might give you leads. You will run into a lot of dead ends, but that's
the business of getting new business, and will consume 50% of your
time.
Your chances of finding work are better because your pool of
competition is smaller. Read this section in "What Color is Your
Parachute."
The more skills a job requires which you have, the better are your
chances because you have fewer qualified candidates trying to land it.