Jobs to hold a writer over?

[PhilaYank36]

Because this job market is incredibly tough for anyone nowadays, some people (especially those anywhere between a few months and two-three years out of college) are going to find themselves frozen out of a F/T writing/editing gig. And this doesn't necessarily mean only sports; the whole of newspapers, too. This is my case. My biggest question is this: what kinds of full-time jobs could one take that would still keep one's writing skills fresh while also allowing to continue with a P/T writing job? Any suggestions?

 

[Ace]

Herman Melville's first job was as a cabin boy on a ship. Might try that.

 

[PhilaYank36]

Not exactly what I had in mind...

 

[jfs1000]

Taco Bell or Micky D's. Seriously. If you are going to PT at night, do something that you can blow off in an instant. If you quit of get fired from Micky Ds because of a no show, then no one will know.

To not be sarcastic, get a job at a bar or a retail outlet or even an office job somewhere for 30 hours a week.

 

[Ace]

My sarcastic point, too.

You don't have to have a "writing job" to tide you over. Any job will do. Write on your down time.

Plenty of great writers have done the same.

 

[spnited]

Pollster?

 

[johnnychoice]

Substitute teacher?

 

[friend of a friend]

Pollster?

Well played, sir.

 

[eroc]

I would love to be a substitute teacher while I look for a F/T writing gig. Maybe I will look into that. Do you need to take any special courses or will they hire anyone?

 

[zeke12]

I would love to be a substitute teacher while I look for a F/T writing gig. Maybe I will look into that. Do you need to take any special courses or will they hire anyone?

Most places are so desperate for subs that they'll take anyone with a college degree who says they'll start working toward the certification process in their state.

Your mileage will vary.

 

[sportschick]

A lot of places don't even require a college degree let alone someone workng toward a certifcate. Most states have separate certificates for substitutes, just a background check required. I know Indiana required two years of college for a sub certficate, and they didn't care what your major was.

 

[zeke12]

Who says American education is in trouble?

 

[mike311gd]

In each state I've lived -- all on the East Coast -- a college degree has been necessary to substitute teach.

 

[BigSleeper]

Work with a temp agency. I've gotten many short- and long-term assignments through a couple of them over the past 15 years. I think they're viable places to look into.

 

[sportschick]

I've worked places where all you needed was a HS diploma. In fact, my mother's favorite sub when I was growing up had never been to college. It depends on the state, and many of them are moving away from requiring a degree because of the tremendous shortage of substitutes.

Now, a long-term sub is more than likely going to have to have a regular teaching license, but the ones that come in for a day or two, not so much.

 

[Editude]

Second the temp agency. There are several that focus on creative assignments, both short- and long-term gigs. Aquent is one that comes to mind, and it has several locations.

 

[lono]

I've heard pimpin's easy.

 

[BigSleeper]

I've heard pimpin's easy.

"A pimp's love is different from that of a square in that ..."

 

[Jeremy Goodwin]

You've heard pimpin is easy? I've always heard the opposite.

Though, it is a job that you could work with or without a j job. You could work a few quality hours after working the desk or covering a game, and still work the lunch rush.

 

[mike311gd]

Just be careful, future pimps. It's a dangerous profession.