| Stephen Lewis: What are qualifications for these new street sign jobs? |
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Posted: Sunday, June 28, 2009 8:30 am
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Dang it's hot out there! Makes me glad my parents jammed me through college with everything they had. They must have known from early on that I didn't like the heat and would never make it in a job that didn't provide air conditioning. They must have also known I have no value as a mechanic and wouldn't be able to make a living fixing things. But as I travel around town I see lots of folks who are working outside. Whether it’s construction, lawn maintenance, or anything else there are plenty of people who make a living in 90-degree heat.
Then, just the other day, I was reading where the president and congress predicted the new stimulus package would provide 35 million new jobs. I thought that was certainly a big number until I drove to the grocery store later and noticed an entirely new sector of jobs that never existed when I was younger or I might have decided to go into that line of work instead. I’m not sure what you call it but I’m speaking of this new profession where you stand out on the side of the road and attempt to wave people into a particular business.
I’m sure you’ve noticed these folks. Many stand with signs or in costumes and wave as cars speed by. The best I can tell these jobs have a couple of prerequisites before you plan to apply. First, you have to be able to tolerate extreme heat. I’m automatically out since I complain when the inside temperature breaks 70 degrees.
Second, you have to be brave. Very few jobs are as dangerous as standing on any major thoroughfare in Murfreesboro approximately five feet from cars going at least 20 miles over the posted speed limit. About the only thing more dangerous is working with white tigers in Las Vegas and we all know how that turned out.
And finally, you must be of very mild temperament. How many jobs out there require you to stand in a chicken suit and wave as motorists go by hurling insults and profanity like confetti at a New Year's Eve party? Murfreesboro is known for its smart*#% teenagers, who I’m sure deal out a substantial amount of abuse to those workers.
But since this does seem to be a growth sector for jobs, and, since I’ve got two boys within an eyelash of starting college, I thought it might be smart to find out what type of degree would be necessary if they decided to go into this line of work. What would you think? Maybe a marketing degree or would this fall under the college of communications? You see my dilemma.
And what about the specialty areas? A local pizza chain has someone standing with a cardboard guitar sign. I have no musical talent so this wouldn’t work for me. Perhaps a marketing degree with a minor in music. And the jobs that require the chicken outfit might require an agriculture degree or even some number of hours toward a veterinarian degree. (Man, I hope my vet doesn’t read this!)
It seems that mattress outlets always have someone working at these types of jobs. What type of training are we talking about here? Would you need a degree in leisure activities or would having a sleeping disorder suffice?
But seriously, in today’s economy any job is a good job. My hat, if I wore a hat, is off to all who are out working in this heat. When a person is working you know they’re doing their part to take care of themselves and maybe a family instead of relying on someone else to provide for them. If anyone still in school is reading this, I encourage you to stay in school, graduate, and go to college or get trained in a trade you enjoy and can make a living at. But take it from me, stay away from writing for a newspaper. The pay is lousy and you'll probably be better than me and then I’m out holding a sign! |
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