Why Did I go to College?

[The Vape Crusader]

The title is facetious, but applicable nonetheless.

I'm a dietitian. I love nutrition, it's a great field with growing job opportunity. But I hate my job. I spend 80% of my time writing and clicking crap on our computers, 10% dealing with general BS, and 10% actually talking to the people who need nutrition advice or adjustment. Healthcare is drowning in regulation, and it makes me miserable.

I am quitting my job on good terms. I would like to do some private practice with individual client, but since dietitian benefits are very poor for most insurance entities (including Medicare), it's hard to build a full-time job just on that.

So I'm starting a moving business, officially. For the past year and a half, I've just been doing a few jobs a week, only advertising on Craigslist, and just doing it for a few extra bucks.

But even with just that mode of advertising, I can barely keep up with the phone calls! It's a high-need industry around here, and since I'm educated, I'll be a big fish in a small pond. Besides, I like getting a workout while being paid to do it.

I guess I answered my own question on why I went to college... but honestly, I charge exactly the same hourly rate moving stuff as I make being a dietitian... and I get tips as a mover. Funny how that works...

Wish me luck. I'll be filing for a license with the CT DOT in a few weeks, and follow up with a website, business cards, decals on my truck, the whole thing...

Now, I'm thinking of NAMES for my business. I do moving, cleanouts, dump runs, etc. Suggestions appreciated! Unfortunately, "Take a Dump, LLC" is already taken

 

[Huckleberried]

iHaul.

Good luck!

 

[RMarcusY]

It's the license, taxes, insurance that will get most of your profits.

 

[The Vape Crusader]

It's the license, taxes, insurance that will get most of your profits.

Not really... $177 one time fee for the license, just have to upgrade my insurance a bit (52.50 a month instead of $34, no big deal), and as for taxes... let's just say cash is king

 

[The Vape Crusader]

iHaul.

Good luck!

iHaul is freakin brilliant, but the domain name is taken...

My idea was...

Move.
Clean.
Organize.

Three words describing what I do. please don't steal my idea, vaping community

 

[Hypnophone]

It's a damn shame that the Bolsheviks have screwed things up so bad that you can't practice your chosen profession.
I have friends with Masters Degrees that are starving and can't even get fast-food jobs.
I went the electronics tech-school route. Had a great and fulfilling career in music gear and pro AV for 25 years.

I wish you luck in your bidness venture! Dive in with both feet and don't be skeered.

Just be very careful about your decisions... ....all of them.

It sounds like you have a pretty good start. ...and a good head on your shoulders.

I don't have any name suggestions for ya yet, but I will share my company motto:

"Don't Fu(k Up"

 

[Huckleberried]

"Don't Fu(k Up"

I like your motto.

 

[The Vape Crusader]

lol... thank you for the good wishes. Well, I am a practicing Dietitian. I just think the medical field is drowning in paperwork... most unfulfilling. I'd rather spend an hour talking to one person than reviewing 3 charts, writing three boring notes, and talking to people for the 3-4 minutes each that my time allows. Part of it is my company's fault too. Most facilities will have a full time RD for every100 residents.

I have 230.

Dollar signs are all that matter.

 

[Hypnophone]

lol... thank you for the good wishes. Well, I am a practicing Dietitian. I just think the medical field is drowning in paperwork... most unfulfilling. I'd rather spend an hour talking to one person than reviewing 3 charts, writing three boring notes, and talking to people for the 3-4 minutes each that my time allows. Part of it is my company's fault too. Most facilities will have a full time RD for every100 residents.

I have 230.

Dollar signs are all that matter.

Hey there Crusader!
It sounds like you're in the nursing home industry. My first job was washing dishes in a facility when I was 14....
Ah, the not-so-good old days.

So, How about some free advice? I like meat. Meat and Beer. I figure the beer thins out the fat globules in the bloodstream.
Then you have to do a shot or three of some nice vodka or single-malt to help the toxins flow through
the liver more expeditiously-er.

Sometimes, it's Beer and Meat.

So.... whatcha think?




It may be about time for you to git outta there and do your own thing!

 

[The Vape Crusader]

Correct. I did my share of dishes and serving slop when I was in college... you know, a resume job that paid $8.75 an hour...

Ugh, i know it's necessary care, but it's just so gummed up with BS. I'm losing my faith in Western medicine. Not that I'm about to start a career in Chinese Herb therapy but... we're not letting people live, we're just keeping them alive.

and alive people are worth a lot more to the healthcare industry than dead people. Cruel truth.

 

[Hypnophone]

Don't lose faith just because the system has been so corrupted.
I don't like saying this but we've been taken over by a weird system of communism/capital-corruptionism
It's the new Bolsheviks.
Unfortunately, about half of the US gets free stuff. THAT'S our downfall.
Wealth redistribution IS communism. It's only a matter of time before everything goes to shite.

I have already told the wife that when/if it's my time for 24hr care, kill me.
As we get older, the system that has been instituted will become more like Britain, then 1942 Germany, or 1927 Russia, or 1950 China, or 1970 Cambodia, or......
If we don't stop it, that is where we are headed Komrade Krusadervich.

www.infowars.com

 

[misterJ]

Ah I hope you do well in your adventures!
I could of used a good moving company a few years ago! Fish ranks aren't easy to move...
My sister is a dietitian too, and even working at a very good hospital (cedar something in Los angeles), she doesn't get paid very well and yeah, lot of paper work.
I make much more as a chef, which requires zero education!

 

[JahmezOkieDokie]

Idk if you found a name yet or not, but I thought that you would be clearing clutter/moving memories/transporting treasures.
I kind of liked transporting treasures, but I could see it being a bit odd if you are moving a hoarders collection of rotting newspapers to the dump or recycling facility and you keep talking about how it is "treasure"...

 

[dannycarlisle18]

The rat race sucks. I'm working on starting my own ventures too!

I wish you the best of luck.

 

[The Vape Crusader]

Idk if you found a name yet or not, but I thought that you would be clearing clutter/moving memories/transporting treasures.
I kind of liked transporting treasures, but I could see it being a bit odd if you are moving a hoarders collection of rotting newspapers to the dump or recycling facility and you keep talking about how it is "treasure"...

Hey bud, I appreciate the input, those are a lot of clever names! They are a bit limited, as they only describe one of the three things I do, but they are definitely good to throw into the mental blender .

You're right, I see a LOT of hoarders. And they're very hard to work with, because they are so fixated on keeping shit they don't need. But that said, I try to keep one mantra in mind when dealing with these types...

"The more anal you are, the more money I make."

Wait, did I just join the porn industry?

 

[The Vape Crusader]

Don't lose faith just because the system has been so corrupted.
I don't like saying this but we've been taken over by a weird system of communism/capital-corruptionism
It's the new Bolsheviks.
Unfortunately, about half of the US gets free stuff. THAT'S our downfall.
Wealth redistribution IS communism. It's only a matter of time before everything goes to shite.

I have already told the wife that when/if it's my time for 24hr care, kill me.
As we get older, the system that has been instituted will become more like Britain, then 1942 Germany, or 1927 Russia, or 1950 China, or 1970 Cambodia, or......
If we don't stop it, that is where we are headed Komrade Krusadervich.

www.infowars.com

Well, someone's a Republican.

Not to get too deep into this, but I am what you might call a "basic needs socialist." Things like jewelry, event tickets, fast food, and luxury goods should not be regulated. Heck, don't regulate Wall Street for all I care. if you invest, you're the one taking the risk. But I do believe that healthcare is a basic societal need, and as long as it is attached to profit, the system will be broken. That is my opinion, that's all.

Do keep in mind that I swing conservative on many issues, like overhauling our social program system (just giving people money forever because they're poor solves nothing), overhauling social security disability (I estimate 2/3 of those people can work, but choose not to), and simplifying taxation to shrink the government and make revenue collection a little more fair. I also think our whole government system sucks. Root canals have a higher approval rating than congress. I'd rather see compromise-driven laws that don't necessarily meet everyone's values than two intractable groups of assholes who pull harder on their end of the rope...

 

[freemind]

I wish you much luck and success.

However, I can see from the start, your business plan is flawed and you are setting yourself up to go out of business from the start.

You are now a "business". You have to start thinking like one and NOT like an employee. Charging people what you "made per hour" as an employee is flawed logic. You now have expenses and overheads. You get to pay those now, not an employer, as well as self employment taxes for your "owner draw".

All businesses make a certain amount in cash payments. If you think you can hide most/all of that, be prepared for an audit. Because you will get audited if you don't report MOST of that cash, especially if it hits your bank account, or you are paying bill that can't be paid on what you claim.

 

[Zamazam]

I've got a buddy with a bachelors in physics and a masters in mathematics. His only options were to become a TA and go for his PHD, work in a materials lab as a lab tech at $11 per hour, become a programmer (2 more years of school), or work in an insurance company as a junior actuary at $12.25 per hour. Luckily his Dad got him to take courses in small engine repair when he was in high school. Dwight (my buddy) now owns a small engine repair business and just opened 2 more sales and repair centers. He employs 15 people.

I've known school bus drivers with PHD's in Philosophy and Plumbers with Master's in English and Journalism. College used to be the key to a lifetime career in your chosen field. Not anymore.

 

[DickyT]

I have friends with Masters Degrees that are starving and can't even get fast-food jobs.

My wife has a Masters in Psychology from a very expensive, highly accredited, private university. To show for all of this we have 250K in student loan debt that she deferred forever until it could no longer be, while hiding it from me, and she makes under 30k\year as a social worker...

I told her way back when, that unless she was going the mba route, that school was not worth the cost and she may as well go to a state school for a mere fraction. Stubborn she was, and a decade later we are still suffering for it.

 

[Hypnophone]

Well, someone's a Republican.

Not to get too deep into this, but I am what you might call a "basic needs socialist." Things like jewelry, event tickets, fast food, and luxury goods should not be regulated. Heck, don't regulate Wall Street for all I care. if you invest, you're the one taking the risk. But I do believe that healthcare is a basic societal need, and as long as it is attached to profit, the system will be broken. That is my opinion, that's all.

Do keep in mind that I swing conservative on many issues, like overhauling our social program system (just giving people money forever because they're poor solves nothing), overhauling social security disability (I estimate 2/3 of those people can work, but choose not to), and simplifying taxation to shrink the government and make revenue collection a little more fair. I also think our whole government system sucks. Root canals have a higher approval rating than congress. I'd rather see compromise-driven laws that don't necessarily meet everyone's values than two intractable groups of assholes who pull harder on their end of the rope...

Damn VC,
Well, golly. Gee, Huh?
I am a proud independent. The Demicans and Republicrats are the same team. Folks have been Bamboozled by the ruling elite for a long time now.
Remove the wool.

Work equals food and shelter.
Is uncle Hypno a.....
Fiscal Conservative? Yup
Social Libertarian? Yup
Socialist/Commie? Fuck No

 

[The Vape Crusader]

I... immediately regret my decision to get political.

Yay, starting own business!

 

[Petyr]

When higher education become the commodity it is right and colleges and universities started to inflate grades and to try to keep every possible student for the money, it's quality and value slipped down the drain. I am not saying it is useless, after all our education and knowledge is one of the foundations on which our civilization is standing. But trying to make a buck from kids and working them on every angle, from school books prices to student loans is costing us dearly.
I have a friend who teaches accounting at one specific college. Last year the administration of this college made him repeat several of the exams, since he failed the majority of the people who sat them. They told him to make them easier , so that a maximum number of students could continue to pay their fees.... They don't care that some of the kids in these classes don't have it in them to become good , they just care for the money. In this same college they are inventing new subjects, that are not viable , but if you want some extra credits you will pay for them and keep everyone from the staff on their sometimes cushy jobs .

 

[The Vape Crusader]

"The weak ones are there to justify the strong."
-Marylin Manson.

 

[nophix]

Don't feel too bad. I have 2 Masters degrees, and I'm out of both fields. I drive semi for a living. Far less stressed, and make more than I did.

1 is in IT, the other is Engineering.

I could make more if I was willing to move to a large city, but no thanks.

I do LTL city routes, so I'm home daily and off weekends. Not a bad gig.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[nophix]

My office view, although that was sitting in a parking lot on lunch.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[bpurtell89]

I 100% agree with your statement, I went to college (free ride on a D1 baseball scholarship) and I'm so glad I didn't pay for it. Took a job out of college marketing for under armor at a lousy salary that didn't include anything that I actually loved about the scheme and idea of marketing something or someone. I'm now an independent contractor for an energy service company doing something I love and actually selling and giving services that are extremely profitable and extremely fun to do. Chase what you love because life is to short.

 

[The Vape Crusader]

Great stories, both nophix and bpurtell.

I'm gonna go pro after the first of the year (why deal with taxes for 3 months of minimal business) But my website is live!

MoveCleanOrganize.com is ready to go!

Know anyone in Central CT? Send 'em my way .

Funny enough, i considered trucking at one point, but didn't want to start OTR, which is what most do....

 

[nophix]

I started in OTR. Did it for a year, it sucked, bad. God I hated it!

The LTL gig popped up and I couldn't jump fast enough. That OTR gig is the only job I've ever quit without notice. Went in after getting back, handed in my card and keys, and said adios.

I've been with the same LTL carrier since, several years now. It's had ups and downs, but overall I can't complain.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[The Vape Crusader]

Well, good for you. I do enjoy driving (which is why I have my small time "trucking" business off the ground), but being married, I couldn't justify any amount of OTR. Maybe if I was 23 again and girls weren't even on the radar screen, it would have been a different life. But this is where I wound up. My wife is on board and wishing me the best. She's the best, by the way .

 

[nophix]

It's a good business, as long as you don't mind the labor part. It's not something I really see in my neck of the woods, though I think it would go over well. If you're in a populated area, it probably won't be long before you're having to hire on staff to handle workload.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[z man]

Great that You came up with a name!...I was thinking..."I-Haul,Just call"....Z

 

[The Vape Crusader]

Great that You came up with a name!...I was thinking..."I-Haul,Just call"....Z

A very nice suggestion, but the availability of the domain name really drew me. And describing most everything you do in three words is... kinda nice.

 

[Hypnophone]

Well, someone's a Republican.

Not to get too deep into this, but I am what you might call a "basic needs socialist." Things like jewelry, event tickets, fast food, and luxury goods should not be regulated. Heck, don't regulate Wall Street for all I care. if you invest, you're the one taking the risk. But I do believe that healthcare is a basic societal need, and as long as it is attached to profit, the system will be broken. That is my opinion, that's all.

Do keep in mind that I swing conservative on many issues, like overhauling our social program system (just giving people money forever because they're poor solves nothing), overhauling social security disability (I estimate 2/3 of those people can work, but choose not to), and simplifying taxation to shrink the government and make revenue collection a little more fair. I also think our whole government system sucks. Root canals have a higher approval rating than congress. I'd rather see compromise-driven laws that don't necessarily meet everyone's values than two intractable groups of assholes who pull harder on their end of the rope...

AhHem, Nosir, Not a Republican. Not a Democrat.
An American that wants us to succeed.

That is all

 

[Hypnophone]

I... immediately regret my decision to get political.

Yay, starting own business!

Hey there VC, yer damn right!

 

[The Vape Crusader]

LOL... glad that's over.

 

[Hypnophone]

I have some prophetic words to everyone that wants to go to a university.

DON'T DO IT!

They will indoctrinate you in the wonders of communism.

You think that I'm bullshitting? Fucking around?
NO my friends. College is the new commie-indoctrination mechanism (for about 40 years now)l.
How do I know this?
Well.... I have close friends that are Phd instructors in university....

Uncle Karl can fuck off!

 

[nophix]

You aren't far off, actually. I was smart enough to stay awake. I saw it for what it was, got my paper, and got out.

To be honest, public schools are far worse than University now, though. They're starting them young these days.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[The Vape Crusader]

No. Stop!

Are you people listening to yourselves? Ockham's Razor people. Are school teachers and university professors where they are because they are intelligent and hardworking, or because there's a vast nationwide conspiracy to subtly instill the tenets of failed political systems in the heads of students? Because that's what you're suggesting, and frankly, that's fucking insane.

Don't get me wrong, I got big issues with the power of the teachers' union and the unmitigated ripoff otherwise known as "college," but this is a truly ridiculous hypothesis.

BTW, I got my own friends in academia. one is a Neuroscience PhD at freakin' Georgetown. Pretty sure he's teaching people about neurotransmitters and diseases of the brain, not pushing his diabolical liberal agenda that will destroy America.

I am saddened by the turn this conversation has taken.

 

[UncleRJ]

iHaul is freakin brilliant, but the domain name is taken...

My idea was...

Move.
Clean.
Organize.

Three words describing what I do. please don't steal my idea, vaping community

In my area I see trucks for one small moving company all of the time.

I believe they are called..

Three Men in a Truck.

Perhaps you could try.....................

Two Jerks in a Van?

Just kidding and I do wish you the very best!

 

[The Vape Crusader]

LOL, well, it would be one jerk in a pickup truck, but that's semantics .

Ready for this? There's a moving company called "2 Young Studs"... i saw them pull up to the same building as me once. Holy crap, it was like John Cena and HHH coming out of a box truck!

I do not have muscle like this.

 

[robot zombie]

Within our culture, there seems to be a hidden stigma against people who work with their hands, skilled or unskilled. I think it's misleading to encourage all people who wish to make something of themselves to go to college. A degree doesn't necessarily correlate with a superior position in the working world. Not everyone needs to be working in a high-tech or intellectual field to be a successful member of society. The greatest travesty of our education system is that it places higher emphasis on acquiring those sorts of jobs than it does building basic life skills and work-ethic.

The unfortunate consequence of this is that all of these kids go straight from high school into college thinking that they're on the fast-track, easy-street route to a prestigious, highly-coveted, and well-paying career... ...that if they just buckle down for a few more years, they'll be where they most want to be in life, only to find themselves completely unprepared for the challenges that they will face as they graduate and go out into the real world.

They've been duped into thinking that there are shortcuts to success, and that simply jumping through the right hoops will grant them access to things that others cannot, which really only works if you are lucky, truly exemplary in terms of your natural abilities, or very privileged.

"You can be anything you want!" They say. "Just get good grades and go to a good school!" What a cruel thing to tell a young adult.

Sorry if I come off as bitter. I don't want to discourage anybody from pursuing a higher education. I just think it's important to have some perspective on it. Maybe take a break for a couple of years after high school. Get out there and work some bullshit jobs. Take the time to reflect on your own abilities and not just what you want to do, but what you're suited to, as well. You may just wind up discovering a career path that you find satisfying and perform well in that doesn't require 4-8 years of additional schooling. There's nothing wrong with that. Don't let anybody tell you that you need to go back to school just to get anywhere in life.

 

[The Vape Crusader]

The perfect job lies at the intersection of what you like and what you're good at.

 

[wally]

Yea they talk you in going to collage so you have to pay them back for the rest of your life lol.