45, it's been 2.5 years. So far so good.
Gregg
33, almost 24 years now.
57, 5 yrs ago
The challenge for new startups is coming soon.?ÿ Somewhere along the line we (as in too much of our society) have not guided our young people into being employable and productive.
About four to five years ago the Kansas State Department of Education began a yearlong series of public meetings with differing groups across the entire state to ask many questions relative to "What skills and abilities should a 24 year-old possess?"?ÿ They held meetings that were attended by only educators.?ÿ They held meetings that were attended by only business owners and midlevel staffers.?ÿ They held meetings that were public officials only.?ÿ They held meetings that were only attended by parents of current school children.?ÿ They held wide-open to the public meetings.?ÿ Then results were assembled for each variety of meetings.?ÿ The summary found that nearly all groups provided similar answers across the board in approximately the same percentages.
The number one "need", with about two-thirds of responders putting it at number one, was employability and productivity.?ÿ Show up for work on time and only miss days on rare occasions.?ÿ Work well with others.?ÿ Accept new challenges.?ÿ Dress and make a personal appearance appropriate to the job.?ÿ Follow leaders and lead followers.?ÿ Possess the basic education necessary for the specific job category.?ÿ Be somewhat flexible, when necessary.?ÿ Be able to pass drug tests and/or physical tests critical to the specific job.?ÿ Continue to be able to do so throughout the employment.?ÿ Take responsibility for your own life and not count on "others" toprovid your basic needs to survive outside of the workplace.
The 285 public school districts in the state are undergoing redesign efforts to address the shortfalls identified through this exhaustive study.?ÿ The majority of changes are not in the traditional classroom expectations.?ÿ School culture and climate is a catchphrase applied to providing an educational experience that encourages the student to "want" to be at school every day and participate in experiences from social-emotional growth to civic engagement.?ÿ Many more counselors and social workers are being employed to engage in more of a one-to-one basis with the students.?ÿ Involvement of local citizens in working directly with the students is a key part of the job.?ÿ More emphasis is being applied towards guiding those with pre-Kindergarten children to greatly improve in-home learning at earlier stages of growth as it has been proven that birth to age three is the most important learning experience for humans.
It has become the expected experience today that the Human Relations Department of a significant employer will hire/train ten people for every one who stays with that employer for a long duration despite all of those hired meeting the basic education and skills set requirements of the specific job.
Individuals must possess far more than the education, skills and experience needed to become employed in order to stick with that line of work productively.
Dang! For a second I read that to be 57.5 years ago. Based on prior answers that would make you somewhere in the 85 to 110 range today.
I was 39. Had 14 years experience. However I never set out to run my own company. I started my career in a large highly developing urban area. Moved up the ladder quickly from rodman to party chief. Working for a big company. Company truck which I drove home, good pay, insurance, 401K etc. Decided to escape the rat race and moved to a small town rural area. After working for a couple of mom and pop operations, I decided it was best to get my licence and open up shop. That was 25 years ago and it's been a good ride. I don't make a killing but am able to make a living. Have never been without work.
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I was 28 years young. I began surveying at the age of 15 (in Georgia) and the goal was always to have my own shop. The dream became a reality when I lost my job in 2009. Luckily I had a few state licenses and a full set of equipment that I had pieced together along the way. It was a rough road for a couple of years but I am a believer those tough early years are the key to my success. I stay hungry, I will walk into any potential clients office with a box of goodies and sell myself and/or my company. You want to open a business and be successful? Be ready to hustle.?ÿ
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I was 32 the first time around. Years later, I got a job offer I couldn't refuse. A couple years after that, I didn't want to work for the man anymore (again) and started another one when I was 38, which, coincidentally, was the same age I started my web development business.
I had a side business in my 40s from right after passing the LS to the 2008 crash. The side business dried up and I haven't missed it. I have the best job in State service, great working relationships with coworkers and boss, in the woods, seldom on the road. At some point I'll probably retire and then maybe do something at that point, something that interests me, money won't be the prime consideration. Right now need the income to pay Grandson's private school tuition. We socialize with the parents (a few Grandparents including one full time Grandma), some of them are almost as old as us wow. One guy is retired from 32 years of government service. I never thought of waiting until I'm retired.
41
24
First time at the age of 30. (Licensed since I was 26). I had a 11-year run, employed as many as 8. Sold out and went to corporate. I returned to self employment at the age of 46 as a solo op. Did that for 8 years. Back at a corporate firm now.
I was 36 when I bought a small firm in 2005... solo work and loved it.?ÿ I got a little burned out with the biz side of things.?ÿ?ÿ I see lots of new technology/Apps designed to help small biz owners that didn't exist then.?ÿ?ÿ
Sold it in 2017 and now work in a mid sized civil/survey company.?ÿ
AJ
31, No regrets.
