[BBMW]

I'm going to take Scoop's recommendation, second it, and then push the OP in a completely different direction.

I hear CCSN has a really good program in air conditioning and refrigeration. I think for someone with a felony record, getting a job with a AC contractor would be easier than getting in at a casino resort. And talk about a skill that would be in demand in Vegas...

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

One other thing. I googled that school. Why would you pay all that money, when you could get the same (or better) education at College of Southern Nevada for considerably less money? CSN has culinary and hotel management courses. Most UNLV students end up taking a great deal of CSN classes in order to save money. Some of the culinary classes are ONLY available at CSN.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by Caltovegas

Find a good MLM company and go all in. Many could care less if you have a felony. If anyone says you shouldn't do it tell them to give you a job. Some people do make good money in the MLM industry. You have to do what you have to do.

Since many people are increasingly regarding Multi Level Marketing as a felony in itself, I'm not sure how good that advice is.

I do agree with the culinary path as a good path for felons. It's hard work, but honorable work, and it can take you anywhere in the world you want to go.

[jadedlady]

Both the suggested careers (culinary and HVAC) require a pretty high level of a very specific skill. Not that you don't have that, but certain fields are better for some than others. Have you ever taken a career assessment? I don't know the age group you are in or even if you have any physical limitations that would affect a potential career choice. I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's a good idea for you to know the kinds of work that are best suited to you and that you would enjoy. You have a choice in what path to take and it would be best if you selected something that you like as well as can succeed at.

Many community colleges offer skills assessment and counseling for no charge. You can also find out what choices are best for you here:

Home : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Because while you're at it, you can find out what types of jobs will be in the highest demand in the coming years and what you might expect to earn, as well as the requirements of these particular careers.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by BBMW

I'm going to take Scoop's recommendation, second it, and then push the OP in a completely different direction.

I hear CCSN has a really good program in air conditioning and refrigeration. I think for someone with a felony record, getting a job with a AC contractor would be easier than getting in at a casino resort. And talk about a skill that would be in demand in Vegas...

I completely agree. But I don't know jack about what it's like to work in HVAC. I do know what it's like to work in a kitchen. And I know for certain that there are kitchens in this city where nobody cares what a person did last decade, last year, or even last week -- as long as they show up every day for their shift, 15 minutes early, and can handle the crushing workload.

Maybe there are HVAC outfits that are similarly non-judgmental. But I don't know this like I know it about fine dining. Some people care, yes. But not everyone does. And you can find kitchens with lots of people who once lived on the margins of society.

It's a good job that goes anywhere. And a dedicated hard-core cook can climb the ranks and make more than just a living. It is possible to become very, very wealthy in the restaurant business.

I know with certainty that a felon can make a life of it in the restaurant world. There are surely other careers that could work as well.

Without a doubt, CSN -- don't blow your money on a for-profit school. Those places just want your money.

[BBMW]

In another city, I'd say kitchen work would be good for this guy. Usually, restaurants could care less about someone's background, as long as they're reliable, and can keep up (from what I've read.) But in Vegas, the best kitchen jobs are in the casinos, and you've stated what the background check situation is like for that. Anything front of the house is likely even worse. So if he goes to hospitality, he's already locked out of a big chunk of the market in Vegas.

I doubt he'd have that problem with HVAC. And with good training, he'd probably have a big leg up. Also, down the line, I think there's another advantage. I don't know about licensing issues, but I think it is a lot easier to start an HVAC contractor/repair business than to start a restaurant. He could get the training, get a few years experience, and go out on his own. This would likely eliminate a lot of the issue with the felony on his background. Yes, as a cook with a few years experience, he could look at setting up his own restaurant of some sort, but I have a feeling the expenses of that would be eons higher.

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

I completely agree. But I don't know jack about what it's like to work in HVAC. I do know what it's like to work in a kitchen. And I know for certain that there are kitchens in this city where nobody cares what a person did last decade, last year, or even last week -- as long as they show up every day for their shift, 15 minutes early, and can handle the crushing workload.

Maybe there are HVAC outfits that are similarly non-judgmental. But I don't know this like I know it about fine dining. Some people care, yes. But not everyone does. And you can find kitchens with lots of people who once lived on the margins of society.

It's a good job that goes anywhere. And a dedicated hard-core cook can climb the ranks and make more than just a living. It is possible to become very, very wealthy in the restaurant business.

I know with certainty that a felon can make a life of it in the restaurant world. There are surely other careers that could work as well.

Without a doubt, CSN -- don't blow your money on a for-profit school. Those places just want your money.

[BBMW]

The idea wasn't that he just try to walk in someplace and get a job in these fields with not training or experience. Both Sccop and I were discussing how CCSN has good programs for these fields. He'd go there to get the skills he'd need.

Originally Posted by jadedlady

Both the suggested careers (culinary and HVAC) require a pretty high level of a very specific skill. Not that you don't have that, but certain fields are better for some than others. Have you ever taken a career assessment? I don't know the age group you are in or even if you have any physical limitations that would affect a potential career choice. I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's a good idea for you to know the kinds of work that are best suited to you and that you would enjoy. You have a choice in what path to take and it would be best if you selected something that you like as well as can succeed at.

Many community colleges offer skills assessment and counseling for no charge. You can also find out what choices are best for you here:

Home : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Because while you're at it, you can find out what types of jobs will be in the highest demand in the coming years and what you might expect to earn, as well as the requirements of these particular careers.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by BBMW

But in Vegas, the best kitchen jobs are in the casinos, and you've stated what the background check situation is like for that. Anything front of the house is likely even worse. So if he goes to hospitality, he's already locked out of a big chunk of the market in Vegas.

But think of all the great restaurants that AREN'T in a casino. I can think of 20 off the top of my head. I'd name them. But I don't want future readers inferring that I'm suggesting that these kitchens are staffed by ex-cons. (Although there are probably one or two in other kitchen in North America.)

If HVAC has a similar "live-and-let-live" attitude, then that's great, too. I would have thought companies would be very particular about who they sent into their customer's houses.