Job Searching, & Considering joining Military Branch

[quote=webgirl01;26807867]LOL! I may have this topic posted in other forums or websites like from yahoo or somewhere, but I like hearing other peoples feedback.

Hello there! I'm currently looking for a job and job searching as usual. Although, at the same time, I'm considering an option of joining military such as Navy Reserve or Air Force. I just hope I make the right choice or decision for myself. Its hard to get a job nowadays and I'm feeling there's good jobs or careers in the military.

I have few cousins, family that are or was in military. I just want someone else's point of view. I also feel among my peers, I have nothing to offer. I'm just not interesting and somewhat boring. Also I am thinking military may be interesting. But I don't want my extended family or some parts of my family or friends to know that I'm considering to join.
I've seen movies (humorously) on relates to Military..lol. The show with Hilary Duff in Cadet Kelly.

I'm currently job searching and at same time thinking or considering of joining the military branch, airforce or navy. However generally its hard nowadays to get a job especially the field I want. I'm trying not to give up job searching. I just hope I get 2 jobs both civillian and in military reserves.

I have graduated with Bachelor's Degree in Network and Communications Management and a Master's degree in Information Systems (IT)/IS. However, I only had one year experience as junior programmer. I went to DeVry but I feel I wasted my time and money going to that school. I feel it was hard to get a job on that field plus I'm not certified or i don't have an A+ Certification or Cisco or that sort. I also collected unemployment after I was laid off or somethimg. I also thought IT was too broad. The only basic thing I can do is speed up computer, delete cookies, spyware remove, use anti-spyware and antivirus tools, know how to use computer programs like MS Word, Excel. I'm not too technical savy enough or I feel I don't have any use or not advanced enough. I also don't have experience as help desk PC tech even if I applied those jobs. I do enjoy using computers.

However on around 2008, I decided to try out Medical coding and went to some medical coding school. I did have a credential on CCS after I completed the school. I also got certification of completion from Medical coding school. I still find it hard to land a coding position because i don't have enough experience as well. Most jobs require at least 2 years or 3 years mostly staffing agencies. I still collect unemployment since I did work at a family business for 3 years as a cashier.

Then last year around the 4 months between August and December of 2011, I was able to do Digital Marketing Assistant at a cabinet company. Now then, I've been already done with my CPC course but I haven't passed the CPC test. I have one more free try left. I scheduled my date to take it this december. Hopefully I can pass. however, I'm also volunteering at a rehab hospital at the medical records department to gain experience as well and to help me get a job or put my foot at the door.

I also get email about coding but from out of state like Washington or if I want to travel. I also appllied to many coding jobs. So far, I got one interview pre screen but will need to follow up next week. It's hard to get interviews nowadays.


I really don't know if I should stick back with my previous degree in IT computers or go do medical coding since i have my CCS. I have too many interests in my mind. It's like I do or am a wanting to be a jack of all trades that I can do most things but I want to master something. I don't know much about my passions on what I really want. I have too many things...lol but i'm landing on data entry or health information / medical coding side but then I really don't know. I have two different resumes. One for medical records, medical coding/ health information tech and the other one is IT resume looking for help desk jobs. Something about medical coding, made me interest on EMR or electronic health records. I know I like something data or taking notes. I'm also into data entry as well. I do hope there's those types of jobs Medical Records, Data Entry, IT in either Air Force or Navy or both in reserves.

Since I don't know what I should be passionate about or what interests or suits me, I thought Military can help me gain those skills since they do have jobs there as well as learning leadership skills that I never known. I want to have many skills but I also want to know what I can do to master one or two skills at the military.

I also feel I'm not worth it. I'm not interesting. Even if I'm still interested in joining military reserves and at same time job searching, If I don't get a job, should I consider joining if I don't get a job at all? Is it hard to get a job and at same time think of joining the military reserves? Should I keep job searching and start considering military if I really want it? or should i give up job searching and just focus on planning on joining military if I want it? I'm also concerned what if I get job interviews or job offers before being enlisted to the military? What if was able to be enlisted as Officer and still have a part time job? Or if not, I should just job search later and deal with the military training first? I really don't know LOL! Too many thoughts forming.

I'd like to see what its like to do both like actually have a job in civillian world but same time work at the military reserves. I'm 29...i think the age limit is 34 or 39 depending on the service on the reserves.


My brother says California has higher standard of living and theres jobs hiring. But I'm aiming for a job that I am trying to want or get. A medical coding or medical records job. I have a applied for seasonal jobs but most of them already picked people and positions are filled. Also I tried applying for bank but i do get emails saying I do not qualify for teller position even if I tried to do well on those assessment inventory. I've tried Sam's club, target, and Best Buy. I was not selected. Sometimes people or the companies think its easy to apply for job making it seem you can get hired but then they are not gonna hire or that I don't fit for position. Even if I'm 29, I'm not sure what my brother or dad will think about me considering military reserves. I'm not sure what will my friends say as i know one of them can be bias on this. Their thoughts is that I'm not military enough to join or that its dangerous. If I join military, I'm not into combat jobs or that sort. I just feel there may be something interesting there. Also I cant just rely on parents since I live them and I'm almost 30 this year.

I'm almost on the verge of giving up job searching since its almost the end of the year and plus its too late for seasonal jobs. My 2nd backup is thinking of joining military but if I want to do that, then I have to plan or think fast before its too late to even join. Even if I don't want a cashier job or working at stores in civillian, I'm still applying for them even if I hated applying for those jobs. And I know they aren't gonna hire me. I have applied at banks, and other retail stores.

Is it okay to be jack of all trades interest and master of none?Or just basicaly jack of all trades but master at one thing? I have none much to be proud of and I hate the topic of job searching if it's between me and bro.

Also, I'd like to know if those who when to military, how or what is the pay like especially for basic training? Is the military pay good than civilian pay? How's life like as Air Force, Navy or whatever branch is out there.
Anyone also working part time military and also have a civilian /regular job?

I was wondering if anyone have joined the Miltary branch such as Navy Reserve or Airforce Reserve or just Navy or Airforce or any of the branches. If so, how did you like it? how was bootcamp military training? What's life like as navy or airforce or whatever branch is like?

Can military also help improve personal development like penmanship or writing as well as learning to converse with others?


I also talked a bit with Air Force Recruiter and he says I pre-qualify for Office position. I'm not sure how Office position in both Air Force or Navy is like. Is there anyone that enrolled straight to becomming officer in the military reserves branches or in general? If so, how was the training like? I still need to talk to Navy Reserve recruiter.

After Training or Boot Camp, what's the effect on personality or attitudes? I just hope I won't be too boastful or egoistic and still be my regular self. I'm generally the shy and quite or reserve one. I hope I'll still be likeable but I feel I am not interesting among my cousins or friends. I'm just too blah. Most act like cliques on other cousins whom they want to talk to. I want to join Military because I want to improve skills and see what opportunities are out there. Maybe there's good thing on serving in different way. I'm not into combat since I'm not strong.

I'm not sure which branch is easier or stricter? How is it on Air Force training basic and Navy basic? Do them sergeants, officers,drill instructors pick on you during meal times? I have reaserched about the "pit" on meal times for Air Force Basic. I just hope I do well. I don't know if I should try out for Office or Enlilsted.

I wonder what's the change like if I am done with either BMT or Office training. Will people whom I think treat me same or any different? Or will those friends or cousins think oh she's just the same boring girl blah blah blah? I have always felt I have nothing to share about cannot converse with certain friends or cousins or people. I also wanted to be likeable. But then If I join and enlist, I'm doing it for myself and my own good. Besides I'm not younger and I'm not sure what to do if my parents aren't around and I'm still the naive 29 year old. I want to have skills. I feel I'm just limited to boring stuff. And sometimes I wonder what it's like to move out of the house and do my thing instead of live under parents roof?

I hope to keep in touch you peoples about military questions and life experience questions if I have any more. Sorry for me ranting and questioning