<p>All right, I've thought about what I'll be doing this summer and came up with nothing. I need to be passionate about something in order to do it. I'm interested in economics, but since my ECs regarding it are basically wiped out until next school year (complex situation.. let's just say that I can only do my Econ. ECs during the school year), I will have a pretty carefree summer, and for a junior (incoming senior), I suspect that that is pretty um... BAD. Yeah... </p>
<p>I'm not really interested in starting a business. However, I am interested in investments. That's a shame for someone who's low income and can't spare money to invest. However, I am knowledgeable in the area and have advised a couple teachers who are pretty darn happy right now from their stock returns. Is there anything suitable in this field that I can possibly do?</p>
<p>And if I were to take a college course, I would certainly like to work on a few econ. projects on campus or help out the professor on some stuff. Any suggestions on what exactly I can do in this situation? </p>
<p>Anything other advice is welcome. Please don't assume I won't like your suggestions; Right now, I'm open to anything... and as long as it sounds appealing, I might give it a shot. </p>
<p>Warren Buffett started out with very little, but was able to convince friends and neighbors to trust him with a bit of their money. Or perhaps you could offer to help local senior citizens to organize their investments! Just a thought.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, even if you get a job on Wall Street, you probably won't be passionate about the grunt work they start you out with. Get real, you don't start at the top any paying your dues is where it all starts. Get a job! This is the real world. Looking in May is never a good idea though. The good jobs were taken months ago.</p>
<p>Newhope, do you really want to encourage a kid who thinks he knows investing to take senior citizen's money and invest it? I'm quaking at the thought!</p>
<p>I never said I wanted to go to Wall Street.
I know the grunt work "they" start out with; every profession has that kind of work.
I am perfectly OPEN to the idea of a job. Any ideas?
suze, I don't want to be rude, but you've given me no advice and pretty much a bashing. "Hey, azsxdc, go get a job!! Too bad you can't get one since they're all gone!!"
The one valid point you did make, however, is arguing not to let senior citizens give their money to me. I completely agree. I am, by no means, truly confident of my investment abilities and I do not feel comfortable and can not sleep at night knowing that I'm in charge of the hard-earned money of seniors.
"a kid who thinks he knows investing" - How can you make this assumption without even knowing me? Or do you just portray all 16, 17 y.o.s as rookies infested with a subject in which they're incredibly confident (which I'm not as I pointed out) but have no idea in because they haven't experienced the "real world."
Generalizations may work most of the time. I don't know the real world? You don't know my background and you certainly don't know what I've been through.</p>
<p>Well, let's go straightforward: how about working in a bank, insurance company, collection agency (ouch), the business department of a hospital, or for any enterpreneurial small sole-proprietor business just to see how one of these places works?
You'll get to know the culture of the workplace where money is the center of attention.
Or go work at "anything" (ice cream shop) for 4 days and offer to work for 1 day as a clerk/ intern/gopher at a place like A.G. Edwards, H.and R. Block. Better even if they'd pay you, but if not, take it as a free one-day internship. Most people can't say "no" to free help. And the ice cream shop would just ensure that you earn some money.</p>
<p>(Recently I had to explain the term "gopher" -- it means, go fer this, go fer that...in otherwords, doing lots of errands for everybody working at their desks. But meanwhile, you find out what they're all doing)</p>
<p>Suze, I found it unfortunate that you put down someone who describes herself as low-income. What's with that? The most difficult journey starts with a single step (ancient chinese proverb). </p>
<p>To the OP, when someone blows it like that, I'd recommend just let it sail right over your head and stay gracious. The rest of the world can see things for what they are; you don't have to react at ALL. It was a mistake on Suze's part, in my opinion (perhaps not suze's). That's also a workplace dynamic. people say ignorant stuff all the time; don't react.</p>
<p>"Newhope, do you really want to encourage a kid who thinks he knows investing to take senior citizen's money and invest it? I'm quaking at the thought!"</p>
<p>YIKES, NO!!! I was thinking more in terms of helping out at the local senior center offering to document the investments people have, much as other volunteers help fill out tax returns in March/April. Keeping track of investment paperwork is a problem for many elderly, but who wants to pay $150 and hour to have an accountant do it?</p>
<p>I'm sorry 3tuitions, somewhere along the line, probably at my very diverse HS, I learned not to let socioeconomics effect how I treat people.</p>
<p>He's whining and saying he can't take a job unless he's passionate. Someone rich posting that on CC would be run off the site!! I know a lot of wealthy kids and have never heard of their parents giving them spare money to invest.</p>
<p>He was smart enough to find CC, clearly has access to a computer and I think it's helpful for him to reconsider his job needs. Or we can whisper because he's loooooow innnncome, treat him gingerly and not help him.</p>
<p>P.S. I'm black, where's the requisit PC behavior for me.........</p>
<p>As for job hints, we need to know where you live to help. It really is amazing how many people can and do turn down free labor, but if you get aggressive and hit lots of firms (if you live in a big city) you may get someone to offer you an internship. But for those reading, generally do that before Christmas break.</p>
<p>Explain "He's whining and saying he can't take a job unless he's passionate. Someone rich posting that on CC would be run off the site!!"
suze, this will be the last time in this topic that I will post to your idiotic and immature remarks (I'm sorry I had to put it that way, but come on, anyone can see this stemming from your last two posts.) </p>
<p>1) How am I whining?
2) You still haven't responded to my questions above.
3) Reconsider my job needs? I have not even begun to consider a job/career preference yet. What do you mean reconsider??
3) So by treating me "gingerly," paying3tuitions and NewHope33 were not able to help me in your opinion. Boy that's hilarious. I suggest you take a moment and reflect on that.
4) Probably immature of me to even say this, but please, correct your grammar and spelling. I hope it's not reflective of you suze.</p>
<p>Thank you paying3tuitions and sorry, I just felt the urge to respond... Don't expect me to waste time out of my life to respond to suze anymore.</p>
<p>suze,
Often, parents nurture while students challenge each other, and that generality cuts through race and class in my experience.
Could that be the difference here in how we each responded so differently to the OP?</p>
<p>Yes, I think so. and certainly I grew up in a culture that spoke it's mind. </p>
<p>Kids see each other up close. I went to a high school considered elite that had many low income kids, many very wealthy and everything inbetween. I sure got a few wake up calls about my idealistic perceptions. I'm really glad my very wealthy friend's father told me I needed to work harder to make what I wanted happen. He told me I'd watched too many movies and read too much chicklit. The wake up call got me going and 5 months later he gave me a great internship. Just trying to share the wealth.</p>
<p>You know I'm middle class and certainly have more opportunities than many of the much wealthier kids I went to school with. I've just made better use of what was available to me. I don't assume lack of sophistication or anything else because you don't have $$.</p>
<p>K, so I think the right thing now is to refer all readers' eyes back up to the OP and see if others have more ideas and suggestions brainstorming summertime work for OP</p>
<p>There are tons of possibilities, but you can't limit yourself to jobs that you are "passionate" about. Are you willing to give up a little on that front? </p>
<p>What kind of area do you live in? Is it urban or rural? What are the major business types in your town? What are your friends doing? What kind of experience, if any, do you have? Do you have any connections through your parents?</p>
<p>Are you primarily looking for money or experience? Are you looking to work full time? About how much money are you interested in making (either per hour or for the summer)?</p>
<p>These are important questions that will better allow people to make suggestions to fit your situation.</p>