What kind of job could I do?

[Hp291]

Anyone here have any connections to the MLB industry? That might be helpful. Thanks.

The worst part about all this is knowing that guys I went to school with who were/are dumb are now successful in life while I am waddling in my 30's with nothing. Ugh!!

[skiking]

After I got my first college degree, I was unable to find a job that I could get with it(due to licensing requirements in different states), so I decided to continue my education and make myself more valuable to a future employer.  An expensive fix, but hey, there is not better investment than your education. 

This may not be an option but I don't have to start paying my student loans off for a while.

[Tyler]

If anyone is wondering about if you can get to the C level position with a shaved head, just look at our new member who's a CIO (Chief Information Officer)

http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?topic=5833.msg99345#msg99345

[stemikger]

DUDE, DUDE AND DUDE,

First let may say I didn't read all the replies, but I am shocked how you are taking this bald thing.  Trust me, I am bald by choice and when I'm having a day where I'm down on myself and not feeling good, it has nothing to do with whether I have hair or not.

Do you realize it is 2008 and every other guy is walking around with a bald head (mostly by choice).  I can understand that you have no confidence because you were brought up in an abusive dysfunctional family, but being bald is really not an excuse.

You really have to let go of what is holding you back.  Write down everything you feel is making you stuck on a piece of paper.  Take the paper and rip it off.  Make a pack with yourself that once you rip up all these things are now the past.

I do this every so often when I have regrets.  I call it my "If Only List".  Once I burn the list or rip it up.  I have no choice but to let go of these things that are making me stuck and move on.

If someone was as down on you as you are on yourself, you would kick their ass.  Don't be your own worst enemy.  As you already know, people can let you down so don't let yourself down.

I can tell you all these things because I have struggled with self confidence my whole life and everyday is a struggle, but I move forward because I owe it to myself.

[BALDANDRE]

DUDE, DUDE AND DUDE,

First let may say I didn't read all the replies, but I am shocked how you are taking this bald thing.  Trust me, I am bald by choice and when I'm having a day where I'm down on myself and not feeling good, it has nothing to do with whether I have hair or not.

Do you realize it is 2008 and every other guy is walking around with a bald head (mostly by choice).  I can understand that you have no confidence because you were brought up in an abusive dysfunctional family, but being bald is really not an excuse.

You really have to let go of what is holding you back.  Write down everything you feel is making you stuck on a piece of paper.  Take the paper and rip it off.  Make a pack with yourself that once you rip up all these things are now the past.

I do this every so often when I have regrets.  I call it my "If Only List".  Once I burn the list or rip it up.  I have no choice but to let go of these things that are making me stuck and move on.

If someone was as down on you as you are on yourself, you would kick their ass.  Don't be your own worst enemy.  As you already know, people can let you down so don't let yourself down.

I can tell you all these things because I have struggled with self confidence my whole life and everyday is a struggle, but I move forward because I owe it to myself.

Nicely put my bald friend!

[stemikger]

Originally posted by Baldandre
Nicely put my bald friend!

Hey Andre,

Thanks BA.  You know kids can be crue.  Being the shortest guy in the class all the time I was an easy target.   This stuff even stays with you as an adult.

However, I started playing in bands and lifting weights and finally by the end of high school I was cool. 

Till this day I always have a soft spot for the shy kid.

[KeeperOfTheBeard]

If anyone is wondering about if you can get to the C level position with a shaved head, just look at our new member who's a CIO (Chief Information Officer)

http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?topic=5833.msg99345#msg99345

Yes indeed - that would be me.  The suggestion of going in the military would be great if you were able.  Trust me, I had a pretty awful upbringing - I won't delve into too deeply - but for the sake of helping you HP - here is a tidbit:

My father left when I was two and my sister was a newborn.
My mom married a man when I was 4 and he died from cancer when I was 7
My mom tried to commit suicide shortly thereafter
My mom eventually worked at a seedy truckstop where she eventually turned to prostitution - bringing these guys back to where we lived
My sister and I were verbally abused on a daily basis - called every foul mouthed word in the book

Fast forward to my high school years - moved to a different state - was a geek in school but had good friends (Drama Club, German Club - no sports because I thought I wouldn't fit in)
Decided to go in the Navy with my best bud on the Buddy Program - they offered a 3 year sign-up for a program called Sea College Program.
Spent 3 years in the Navy - saw some of the world - got money to go to college
Went to college - majored in pre-med for one year before switching to Geology - wound up with my Master's in Geology
Moved from PA to KS for a woman I met - took the first job I could find which happened to be in IT - figured I would find a job in geology eventually.
I had a natural aptitude for computers - advanced quickly - got certs (CNE, MCSE, CCNA, CCA - Citrix, etc.)
Got interested in improving the organization - they paid for me to go to school for Six Sigma - got my Six Sigma Black Belt
Used that to improve services and outcomes - was recognized by getting promoted - wound up at director level
Applied for a CIO position a few years later - got the job with a foot long beard and tattoos (covered up of course at the time).
Today, I am still in that position - bald dome, beard, tats - been there long enough that no one "stares" or gives me a second look anymore.  Just gotta remember to always smile and FORCE yourself to project a postive attitude even when you are having a horrible day.

Trust me, if I can do it - so can you.  I may not be extremely tall and stick out like that - matter fact I am pretty darned short (5' 7") and stocky (215 lbs) - but the beard, tats and dome can make you stick out like a sore thumb. 

HP - it's all about trying to get your foot in the door - you say you have a strong work ethic - do whatever you have to to get in the door - GO on those interviews - put your best game face on - fake it 'til you make it - then soon enough you will prove yourself via your hard work and THAT is what people will see - your height, your head - none of that will matter in the least to others.  Trust me - I know.

Regards,

Matthew

[Nick912]

^^ Great story Sir!

I totally agree with you there about joining the Military. To me there is no bad that can out of that. Its a win/win situation. Even if it isnt for someone, you can always take advantage of the free education

[Sly Red]

In 1971 I was drafted into the US Army and did a tour in Viet Nam.  At the age of 19 it seemed like the worst possible thing that could ever happen.  Now at 56 years of age I can see that it was one of the best things that ever happened in my life.  It opened me up to a whole series of opportunities I would have never had if I'd stayed in my small southern town.

[Pshrynk]

Yes indeed - that would be me.  The suggestion of going in the military would be great if you were able.  Trust me, I had a pretty awful upbringing - I won't delve into too deeply

That just goes to show that people (like you) are resilient and can overcome obstacles in their environment if their heart and mind is put to it.

My hat's off to you sir.

[Robmeister]

Have you thought of Career Counseling?

A good chunk of clinical training that psychologists go through is career counseling.   And then many counselors and therapists SPECIALIZE in it.

[Hp291]

Yes I thought about career counseling before. Just not my thing though.

I'm too old and too injured for the military. If I listed the injuries I have sustained, people would be like WOW.

Keeper, sorry to hear about your background. Some of it sounds familiar. Some sounds worse. Some of mine is by far worse. I'm very happy you have moved past it though. I'm trying bro. Maybe someday I finally can.

[Robmeister]

Yes I thought about career counseling before. Just not my thing though.

I'm too old and too injured for the military. If I listed the injuries I have sustained, people would be like WOW.

Well, I haven't read every word of this post...but I gather that the advice you seek is being met with excuse after excuse.  Yer in good company with folks around here who live and thrive despite pretty nasty sh*t life has dealt'm.

I'm sorry to hear about the sucker punches life has dealt you.  And I certainly don't mean to sound insensitive and unsympathetic. 

But do you really want advice or do you want some cheese with that whine?

[Hp291]

Well, I haven't read every word of this post...but I gather that the advice you seek is being met with excuse after excuse.  Yer in good company with folks around here who live and thrive despite pretty nasty sh*t life has dealt'm.

I'm sorry to hear about the sucker punches life has dealt you.  And I certainly don't mean to sound insensitive and unsympathetic. 

But do you really want advice or do you want some cheese with that whine?

They aren't excuses. If I didn't try things, they would be. If someone says "shave your head" so I shave my head and I don't like it, it's an excuse? Am I suposed to like what others like?

I'm more tellling my story, as well as reading opinions from other baldies in the world. Do you honestly think that I haven't been able to move past there for so long that I would read a post and that would be the ticket lol?

[no1birdman]

A good kick up the backside is what u need,