Can't sit at a computer anymore, few career change options.

I guess this is the next phase of my dilemma.

About a year ago I came to this site to get feedback on proposed spinal surgery for a workers comp problem. (too many years at a desk/computer-pinched nerve, bad disc, carpal,etc) I decided not to go through a dangerous procedure in hopes that it *might* make me able to go back to the thing that screwed me up in the first place.

The lawyer is doing the W/C settlement thing and we all know that will drag on for a bit.

What I'm left with is trying to find a new career without computer use or heavy lifting, a massive task, and months & months of dead ends. Have been trying to work with the Dept of Rehab for career counseling but my caseworker has over 140 cases and very barely returns my messages. I'm turning over every stone to find a path but am getting deeply discouraged, and anxiety is setting in because I've got 6 more years of child support. (disability will not cover rent,child spt, etc) I'm burning retirement money just to survive right now, and it's burning fast.

Stressed & don't have a lot of options.

Some details about me:
-30 years plus wholesale experience(bldg materials), computer required, speech software does not work in this arena of business.
-Former musician, aspiring songwriter (mostly a hobby in recent years)
-Avid salt water sports angler. (oddly enough I can without pain)
-mid 50s, degenerated c6 disc, pinched nerve, aggrevated by prolonged sitting, typing, mousing.

Have been looking into everything from seafood inspector to broadcasting to tour guide, in trying to bridge my knowledge to a new career but it's been a tough go, i have a lot at stake, and my back is against the wall.

This is all I can type today, hand going numb, will check back to see if anyone has any suggestions or ideas. Thanks for reading!

well it certainly sounds like you are in a difficult situation. I was going to recommend voc rehab but you are already taking that route, unsuccessfully from the sounds of it. my voc rehab worker actually got me place in a temp position that led to my successful career today. I wish yours was more helpful. maybe calling more often will garner you a response, you know squeaky wheel and all. sorry I can be more helpful. just wanted you to know I read your post. take care.

Guiding fishing trips sounds like it would be ideal

Can you use a tablet instead of a computer or would that be the same sort of repetitive motion you need to avoid?

Around here there is a yearly unjob fair in April. It's a place to go and get all sorts of ideas and advice for earning money without a job. Maybe there is one in your area? I've been looking at changing careers too. Every once in a while I go on Craig's list to see what's there. It's so eclectic you never know what you will find. I found a one night gig as a mock juror. Pretty fun and it paid 150 plus dinner. That isn't a career obviously but you never know.

Facilities work pays fairly well depending on where you do it and doesn't use very much in the way of computer work. Lots of ways to do that. Your bldg material knowledge might help.

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I have a resume I made for tour guide and included fishing, but here in SF you kinda need a boat. It would be great though.

Tablets are worse because you have to look down also, I have to rid my life of that kind of motion. Worse than that, basically ALL businesses these days use some type of keypad/keyboard/push button interface that workers have to use to operate computers, calculators, mechanical equipment, sound/broadcast equipment, all requiring the arm to be in that position. That's why I feel the answer is way "outside the box", and I've run across a few sarcastic suggestions from friends like pimp or gangster, but I'm just scratching for ideas.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks for your reply.
I treat this like a job (finding a non-computer job) up everyday and by 8am on craigslist, other online source, or on the way out the door for a meeting or interview. I also do the focus group survey & mock jury thing when I can, it helps.

What do you mean by "facilities work"? Do you mean bldg maint. or janitorial?, I'm not above that but can't do a lot of lifting that is required.

It's hard to come up with a career that doesn't involve repetitive motion in some way. What about sales?

Have you run numbers on the fishing business? Could you make it work if you bought a boat?

Sorry for the late reply. I missed this. I think facilities management is more than that depending on the co. I know I have worked with some that were more involved with coordination, supplies (control of), security badges. You might have to do some computer work but nothing like IT. You could check out the occupational dictionary the the dept of labor puts out.

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Thx for the reply

Yes,very hard, that's why I'm scouring the web (as much as it bothers me physically) just to find a path that DOESN"T use a computer, ironic.

Sales I've been doing for over 20 years, hate it, was burnt out a couple years before the disc problem & was going to night school for real estate. Now that's a dead end because they show homes online now and agents use computers 60-70% of their day. I still submit to sales job ads now because I'm in a bad way, but they use a lot of tablets & such, and I haven't got any good offers at this time.

Not in a position to make any business investments (boat), credit still very poor from divorce & such. Plus, as much as I love fishing & have the knowledge, I'm mid-age w/disability and running a boat is hard work.

Thx for the suggestions, I still got a lot of work to do in finding a path. Standing, walking, talking, I can do these with little issues, I can even go to the shore and cast my line 70yds into the surf. I just can't sit all day and hold my head and arm in that position all day.

I've got "tour guide" and "quality control" as the best ideas I've come up with and they're not that great, so you see what I'm up against. Trying to stay positive.

Thx for getting back.

I'm not clear on "coordination", but supplies is going to be computer based, security job is what I'll have to do if I can't find a new path or a decent sales job that doesn't require too much computer/tablets. I'll have to do it, hope I don't.

I use several occupational guides, they help weed out the computer based, degree required and heavy lifting jobs, I just don't have much to work with after that. Frustrating.

Have you looked at what color is your parachute? Coordination can also be that ad hoc type management of services. Getting somebody to fix toilets or setting up rooms. I imagine the duties change from place to place. It's really the only one I can think of now beside retail.

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Also, what about voice recognition? It's built right into windows 7. You can learn to have it do everything. They'd have to get you a headset. Not a big deal. The better back store has seating solutions. My eyes are tired from the screen. A couple years ago I had to change my rx because the contract had no breaks from the screen. So my first purchase with my next pay check is rx computer glasses. My arm is permanently numb too. So far nobody has refused to provide an under desk tray.

I'm sure you want to spend time off the computer but those are some tools and ideas that might help. Maybe a job with some computer time would be possible.

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Thanks for the suggestions, it's been up there for a week, sorry, I've been trying to stay off the computer.

Dragon speech software (and the like) only does dictation, spreadsheet, and a little web stuff, but far from doing "everything" or the type of data entry I did in wholesale. I did a bit of research on the subject, it's making strides but not all the way there yet.

My condition accumulates with sitting & typing/mousing, there is no getting around it, trying to stretch out my computer use career will only make me suffer more pain now & when I am older. The objective is a non-computer career.

The coordination thing you mention is usually lumped into "property mgmt" in CA and requires much computer work. Was studying real estate before this happened, had to stop that path due to computer requirements.

Thx for the suggestions but what's the "parachute" statement about?

Have you tried the salvation army? I belive they promote hiring people who are struggling with disabilities and they offer training as well. I would imagine they have positions that do not require heavy lifting.

I was thinking about the kind of job where you don't have to be on the computer for more than an hour or so per day. But maybe that is too much also. It's really hard to get away from it, as you know. The other new trend is standing desks. I know a few people doing this. Their companies give them the option. But nobody can really stand all day so you still have to sit from time to time. They have desks that will move easily from a sitting and standing position. It also takes practice to get your muscles accustomed to it. There's a cheap DIY version you can build if you think it might help at home. It uses pieces from ikea.

It's a book to help you identify a career. It gets updated every year. I've used it two times over a decade ago to help my find a career. It is usually in the library too.
http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/


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I would do something with sales and use Google Glass or other recording options and have an assistant to do the paperwork. Real estate or inspections of some sort where you could record your findings to be typed up by someone in an office?

Inventory companies. RGIS is the biggest I think. Only problem is there may not be enough in your are to be anymore than a contract position. You also have to work nights sometimes.

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Using those scanners to do inventory can be really bad for wrist problems. This is so challenging!

Thx for this resource, it may have some answers & ideas.

As for standing desk, I'm using one now & typing left handed, it doesn't matter, I have to get away from this. It's slowly taking it's toll on my left.

Thx for the suggestions.

Sadly I was studying real estate before my problem but had to stop. Both R.E. and home inspections require computer use as most companies (or all I've come across) don't have office workers typing their reports & etc for them. They have the agents do their own.

I still apply for sales jobs (even though I hate it & was trying to change careers before my injury) but these days I'm trying everything. Not getting much replies in that area I think due to my age and these days firms require salesman to do data entry. Don't know any using google glass at this time.

Absolutely right, this is so challenging, I consider myself a pretty intelligent guy and I've been stumped many times over this. That's why I'm turning over every stone.

Thx for the reply.

They have to lift all the things people donate, the rest of those jobs are cash register type positions. Checked them out already, but thx for the suggestion.

I want to thank all that have made suggestions, please keep them coming, the more stones I have to turn over, the more chance of finding the correct path for me.

Maybe you could tell us some of your interests.

Did I already say tutoring?

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Sure, and yes I've been looking at tutoring/training as a possible path but lack of degree or college training might make it a longshot for me.

My passion is music, I am a self/ear trained multi-instrumentalist and songwriter that can barely read music but can compose & perform at a pro level. Having no degree prevents me becoming a teacher, and a songwriter isn't a stable career choice, although I do work on & promote my work as a pipe dream hobby. (link below)

Huggy Bee - the Funky Composer Music, Lyrics, Songs, and Videos!

The other is fishing, I am a member of an angling association and a source of info for many members. Have looked into in fish/seafood/coastal environment/Fish & game/etc jobs, but not much to work with. Too old to be a game warden, don't have a boat to be a guide, and selling fishing poles at Walmart isn't a good option. Have been looking into state park jobs too, they start at very low pay and require lifting.

Broadcasting is another interest related to music but it requires similar equipment to computers.

Still turning over stones.
Thanks