Can't find IT work due to labor laws, thinking about working for myself? Options?

So, in the past year or so I've gotten five certifications plus one (entry-level; so I'm not stellar) that I got a few years back. It takes me about 3 months to finish studying for exams and pass. Every employer I've seen seems to be impressed with me, but I either can't get the job because of the (ridiculous) child-labor laws or because of location and school. I'll be done with school in June, so time constraints won't be a problem any more, but I won't be 18 until this November. A lot of places don't want to deal with work-permits, which I don't blame them for, but that's a problem for me. I live in a small town (only around 100,000 people), so it's even more difficult. I was thinking about repairing computers (and maybe phones) on my own until I turn 18 and can find better work. But how can I get started on this? How would I get the word out and compete with more established places? Are there any other options for me? Any ideas?

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Comments

Plantwiz

Start your own business.

And no, you will rarely find any cooperate business structure willing to violate federal or state laws to hire a minor. The fines for minor workers exceeding hours, heights, weights, hazards of any sort are too steep to risk. And frankly, if this is your biggest problem, you have no real problem. You will be 18 soon enough. Either start your own business, or simply take what you can get. High school students are not typically good risks...so wait it out and you will find the work you seem or make your own work.

As far as how do you start? Word of mouth. small Advertisments in local papers or business boards.

Elitis

Thanks for the advice, Plantwiz. Though, I didn't mean I want any business to violate any laws to hire me. That would just be ridiculous to even ask of anyone. The places I've been to don't even want to work within the asinine confines of the child labor laws to hire minors. But again, I don't blame them for this. Anyway, thanks again.

Plantwiz

Working with anyone under 18 and/or in high school is a deal breaker unless the minor is hired as a co-op type position. Businesses are SO hindered by what the minor can do, touch, be near that it is not worth the hassle. The downside is, laws such as these make it difficult to hire kids for kid wages and train them up to decent full time employees.

I applaud your attempt to work though!!

Does your school offer co-op work? Pay and school credit for experience? Some do, many do not. Your counselor could assist you with this if your school offers it.

Gain experience by trying to job shadow, wonT pay you money but gets you experience. Likewise, helping at nonprofits can be a benefit too.

Otherwise, try the small ad, word of mouth approach. It won't be long and more will turn up!

Jon_Cisco

Elitis wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, Plantwiz. Though, I didn't mean I want any business to violate any laws to hire me. That would just be ridiculous to even ask of anyone. The places I've been to don't even want to work within the asinine confines of the child labor laws to hire minors. But again, I don't blame them for this. Anyway, thanks again.

I hate to be rude but with the tone of your post I wouldn't hire you either. If you want to be good at something you have to be able to work with whatever constraints the job may have. Asinine or not.

Relax a little keep studying. Take something part time outside of IT if you need cash. If you are off to such a good start you should have a promising future. Don't throw it away with negative feelings about how fair life is.

Gook Luck!

[Deleted User]

In reality, you would be considered a liability. If a giant corporate system goes down, they want people with experience to come and fix the problem. Do you plan on going to college for an Computer Science or IT degree? Most IT jobs will require an Associates or Bachelors degree or more. I'm a few years older then you and can back up what I am saying here and finishing my IT/IS degree. Your current certs will make it a lot easier to get your degree as most colleges focus on CCNA material. Once your 18, I would look into an internship somewhere. I commend you for doing these certifications at a young age. However, keep in mind that you will eventually need to renew your certifications by work experience (which will be rare) or more advanced certs or by maintaining CEUs. If you don't, you will lose your current certs and you will have wasted your time. You really want to develop a strategy when entering the realm of certifications. If you don't, it will cost you and dearly. Best of luck man.

Elitis

Plantwiz wrote: »

Working with anyone under 18 and/or in high school is a deal breaker unless the minor is hired as a co-op type position. Businesses are SO hindered by what the minor can do, touch, be near that it is not worth the hassle. The downside is, laws such as these make it difficult to hire kids for kid wages and train them up to decent full time employees.

I applaud your attempt to work though!!

Does your school offer co-op work? Pay and school credit for experience? Some do, many do not. Your counselor could assist you with this if your school offers it.

Gain experience by trying to job shadow, wonT pay you money but gets you experience. Likewise, helping at nonprofits can be a benefit too.

Otherwise, try the small ad, word of mouth approach. It won't be long and more will turn up!

Unfortunately, my school doesn't offer anything for experience. And, at this point, credit wouldn't help. My IT teacher has been trying to help me find work or internships as well, but as I said time constraints, age, and transportation (because of location) make it difficult. I'll see what I can do as far as working for myself, but more than likely I'll end up finding something to hold me over until I can find better work.

Jon_Cisco wrote: »

I hate to be rude but with the tone of your post I wouldn't hire you either. If you want to be good at something you have to be able to work with whatever constraints the job may have. Asinine or not.

Relax a little keep studying. Take something part time outside of IT if you need cash. If you are off to such a good start you should have a promising future. Don't throw it away with negative feelings about how fair life is.

Gook Luck!

I don't find it rude at all. I get a bit worked up over child labor laws, its frustrating for me, and personally I think we should do away with them altogether or at least loosen them up a bit. But that's a topic for another day. Thanks for the advice.

kMastaFlash wrote: »

In reality, you would be considered a liability. If a giant corporate system goes down, they want people with experience to come and fix the problem. Do you plan on going to college for an Computer Science or IT degree? Most IT jobs will require an Associates or Bachelors degree or more. I'm a few years older then you and can back up what I am saying here and finishing my IT/IS degree. Your current certs will make it a lot easier to get your degree as most colleges focus on CCNA material. Once your 18, I would look into an internship somewhere. I commend you for doing these certifications at a young age. However, keep in mind that you will eventually need to renew your certifications by work experience (which will be rare) or more advanced certs or by maintaining CEUs. If you don't, you will lose your current certs and you will have wasted your time. You really want to develop a strategy when entering the realm of certifications. If you don't, it will cost you and dearly. Best of luck man.

College is not for me. And from what I've gathered (and my IT teacher backs me up on this), is the IT world cares far more about experience than what degree you have. So, at this point in time, no college for me. When I turn 18, the plan is USMC for a few years as a "Data/Tactical Network Specialist", which is basically equivalent to a Network Admin. I've heard people that worked as these have no trouble finding good jobs in the IT field after coming out of the military because of the background checks done to get into the military and the excellent training and experience from it. I'll likely be stationed in California, so after I get out, I plan to stay there and get a good job in IT and maybe study to be a Penetration Tester for a few years before setting out to start a software development business.

And yes, I know about my certs expiring. I haven't paid a penny for any of them (School pays for them) either. In 2017, the only exam I need to re-take is the Security+ (and Linux+ which I'm currently working on) which will renew the other two. The MTA exams don't expire.

anhtran35

Get a job at Best Buy. Geek Squad for help desk hardware and software break fix. Once you get into the USMC you should start studying for the CCNA. Pass the CCNA and that will maintain your Security+ CE and A+ CE requirement. Then you can go more in-depth with the Cisco route. Experience is KING. Certification is QUEEN. College is BISHOP. If you have all 3 you will eventually hit the 6 figure mark in 10 years.

LeBroke

Elitis wrote: »

College is not for me. And from what I've gathered (and my IT teacher backs me up on this), is the IT world cares far more about experience than what degree you have. So, at this point in time, no college for me. When I turn 18, the plan is USMC for a few years as a "Data/Tactical Network Specialist", which is basically equivalent to a Network Admin. I've heard people that worked as these have no trouble finding good jobs in the IT field after coming out of the military because of the background checks done to get into the military and the excellent training and experience from it. I'll likely be stationed in California, so after I get out, I plan to stay there and get a good job in IT and maybe study to be a Penetration Tester for a few years before setting out to start a software development business.

Keep in mind that military can send you damn well where they please. They might decide to put you in Afghanistan because it's convenient for them, or you're the nearest admin nearby. Or, what's probably worse, buttfuck station, Alaska.

They also aren't obligated to give you the job you want; a recruiter will typically tell you whatever you want to sign up. Can you end up as a specialist? Yes. Will you? Not necessarily, unless you're a civilian consultant.

Elitis

LeBroke wrote: »

Keep in mind that military can send you damn well where they please. They might decide to put you in Afghanistan because it's convenient for them, or you're the nearest admin nearby. Or, what's probably worse, buttfuck station, Alaska.

They also aren't obligated to give you the job you want; a recruiter will typically tell you whatever you want to sign up. Can you end up as a specialist? Yes. Will you? Not necessarily, unless you're a civilian consultant.

Of course, I understand that. I said likely because that's where the 06xx MOS are generally stationed. Wherever I end up, I'll be in California when it's all said and done. And yeah, I know I'm not guaranteed anything. However, how it works is I sign into the 06xx MOS field (for example) and they put me wherever they want within that field. So, one way or another I'll be working with tech of some sort or another.

anhtran35 wrote: »

Get a job at Best Buy. Geek Squad for help desk hardware and software break fix. Once you get into the USMC you should start studying for the CCNA. Pass the CCNA and that will maintain your Security+ CE and A+ CE requirement. Then you can go more in-depth with the Cisco route. Experience is KING. Certification is QUEEN. College is BISHOP. If you have all 3 you will eventually hit the 6 figure mark in 10 years.

Best Buy apparently doesn't hire anyone under 18 for Geek Squad (at least where I live). But I guess it wouldn't hurt to apply. That's actually where I wanted to work for my first IT job. And I didn't know getting the CCNA would renew my Security+. Thanks.