Search Results: age for college

I have had a lot of setbacks, yes. As of today, I collect disability, yes. But I will say that I have had a hell of a ride with both positive and negative experiences.

• Held 25 jobs in a span of 15 years
• Was certified as an Emergency Medical Responder at age 17
• Was a recruit in firefighter academy as a senior in high school
• Was a fire explorer most of high school
• Worked as a lifeguard in high school
• Voluntarily participated in clinical and EMS ride alongs my junior and senior year of high school
• Volunteered with a county rescue squad at age 18
• Drove to Colorado by myself at age 19 for EMT school and achieved my Advanced EMT
• Worked in EMS for 2 years, even while attempting university. I worked 24 hour shifts, sometimes even 96 consecutive hours. I started intraosseous infusions, IVs, drove lights and sirens through heavy traffic congestion while parting the sea of cars, transported patients to different states at times, loaded patients onto helicopters, and all sorts of kick-ass experiences
• Was kicked out of a college program and showed up there shortly after in a security uniform, making the program's president's mouth drop (a funny experience and a reaction to remember). I was hired on there after I was kicked out of class. I only lasted a few minutes before I was fired, lol.
• I was hospitalized involuntarily over 20 times
• I was arrested and later convicted of stalking at age 21 trying to pursue a romantic interest at that time
• I have been to the Mayo Clinic (top hospital in the nation) to see the top psychiatrist for my mental health problems
• I have corresponded with state legislators to proactively advocate for certain issues
• I became a self-taught fullstack developer, skilled in a wide array of different technologies
• I worked on projects for some big-name, reputable companies, including Daimler (Freightliner/Western Star), Zoetis (veterinary pharmaceutical company), and McCain Foods
• Now, I finally found the love of my life and happily married

We are already hearing AI is already taking the white-collar workforce by storm, resulting is large-scale layoffs and hiring freezes.

Microsoft has released a study and found that web developers were among the top 40 list for being at-risk. Web application development is my talent and niche.

The question is, is anything besides blue-collar work worth pursuing at this time? I even question the safety and job security of a lot of healthcare professions to AI.

Fortunately for me, I am on Social Security Disability at the moment due to my inability to hold down stable work. I have held 25 jobs since age 15. I am 30. I feel I am even more at a disadvantage at this point due to my poor track record. I cannot risk my disability or Medicare.

We are finding college graduates cannot land roles

NEET = Not in Education, Employment, or Training

I feel completely burnt out in terms of exploring careers and jobs, which speaks volumes because I was always career-oriented since I was a young child. Since age 7, I was obsessed with jobs. I used to dawn a play police vest and direct traffic in the neighborhood. Then I was the "mailman". As I grew older, starting in high school, I was a fire explorer. I had my state EMS first responder certification by age 17. I was doing many clinical ride-alongs during high school. I was optimistic about careers from a young age.

Fast forwarding today, I am 30, and I have held 25 jobs and have never been able to maintain job security. I am collecting disability checks now to survive. Imagine the cycle of climbing a ladder to be pushed off in anguish each time. This cycle becomes beyond tiresome and has left me bitter. In addition, any and all savings or money I collect during my short tenure dries up each time, and I essentially begin from scratch again. There is no progression forward.

Come to find out, even without my personal issues and struggles, my generation as a whole is struggling to gain their footing in life. We are being shoved into this predatory "own nothing, be 'happy'" movement. Homeownership is becoming less and less obtainable. Rent is more and more becoming the only option, and even that is sucking people dry. Everyday essentials like groceries and transportation has become increasingly burdensome. There is red tape and process everywhere, making everything an unnecessary chore. To put a final nail in the coffin, we are hearing automation is becoming a major existential threat to our jobs, livelihoods, and career growth. Graduates are leaving college struggling to find work. Those who have jobs are finding themselves living paycheck to paycheck and having to work multiple jobs. You are damned if you do, damned if you don't.

I can see the phenomenon of NEETs on the rise.