Expert: Bonnie Shimmin - 4/11/2011

Question
What type of job my Gf can do?
With respect,
well, my gf lives in fremont, nebraska,
usa. she is so talented in drawings and
all and she is very good at cooking. she
always helps others. but due to personal
problems and for the reason of her family
needed her to earn, she stoped studying
just after completing High School and
started doing a private job. she always
had desires to go college and when i ask
her what she wanted to be she shows
her wish to be nurse but she knows she
cant afford it. and now she wants to
change her job as she is being worked
alot but not paid much. so heres my
question to you sir,
what type of job she can do near her
resident that i told above? or what should she do to get best for her?
btw, she studied in arts stream and
studied pottery painting and glass.
please provide what type of best job she
can do.
thanks in advance. loves and peace..

Answer
Dear Dex,

Thanks for asking an interesting question that is a little out of my expertise - but I'll give it a go.  Since I have spent my life in public education, I always go for an education-oriented answer.  Your girlfriend lives in Fremont, NE and there is a junior college right in that town:  Metropolitan Community College.  I looked it up and found she could begin classes there and possibly receive financial aid and take part in a federal work-study program while attending classes.  (I came from a poor background and did work-study during my entire undergraduate career.)  From what I read, this is only available to students who have not already received an undergraduate degree.  So that is actually an advantage for her not having gone to college.  I think her art background could come in handy with work-study, because often jobs involve teaching young students, and a gifted artist has a definite advantage in having that skill set.  Many people are afraid of trying to do art, but kids need to have those experiences to be well rounded individuals.  I would advise her to call or email to make an appointment with a college counselor.

If she decides not to attend college, and if she loves art, she should look for art-related jobs, for example: working in a picture framing shop, an arts and crafts store, sign painting, a ceramics store, window decorating for a clothing store, a media center in a school.  Those are just the first things that come to my mind, but there are a huge number of jobs that would be enhanced by a person with an artist's eye.  The main thing is that she should absolutely not work at a job that she doesn't like and also doesn't pay well.  Having a smaller salary is really OK if you have a job that you can go to each day and really want to be there because you're doing something you like.   In fact, even having a big paycheck doesn't make up for hating to get up each morning.  

Well, Dex, I hope I've helped your friend.  Let me know if I can assist you further.

Bonnie