One part of being a functional adult is having a source of income. We all know that it’s something we can’t really do without in the modern world. If you are super blessed or lucky, you might have a wealthy associate who showers you with money. If that’s your situation, then CONGRATULATIONS. You can stop reading this article and get back to . . . whatever rich folks do all day.
The rest of us must create a source of income based on our own efforts. When I went to prison, I had no mainstream job skills. I was a young drug dealer in the streets of Atlanta. I’m proud that those days are far behind me, but stepping into the professional world was a culture shock. I left prison and lived in transitional housing commonly called a “half-way house” from July of 2020 until March of 2021. There, the administrators helped us with basic job skills. We learned about resumes and the interview process.
Type Out Your Resume
My first job placement was at a pallet plant called CHEP in Jefferson, GA. It was back-breaking work. Imagine lifting 80+ pound pallets for hours and working with heavy tools as your first work experience. My body ached every night. It was humid and gritty work. Looking back, I realize that my position at CHEP prepared me for my next job after the halfway house. I did not plan to do that type of labor again because I wanted to enroll in commercial driving school. It was the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, however, and my schooling was delayed by three months due to an instructor shortage. I found myself with no income and one type of work experience.
At that time, I chose not to take a long term position anywhere because I knew I would need to leave when the driving program started in August. Instead, temporary work was ideal for me. I went to a local staffing agency and was assigned to a position within a day or so. It was another repetitive job that required extended standing and labor just like CHEP. Remember that if you have some kind of skill, you can look to find a job in which you can use that skill to your benefit. Many employers need workers who have experience or certification in a particular work field.
Every Job Builds Experience
I did not want to work at CHEP forever, but it was a valuable experience. I had to get used to waking up at 3:00 a.m. I had to push myself to the limit physically every day. It forced me to work effectively with others so that we could operate the machines and prepare the pallets for shipping. In prison, conflict resolution among inmates was often swift and brutal. The strong survived; the weak suffered. I had to adjust my responses at CHEP. I remember a situation with a shift leader there. It wasn’t until he told me “I ain’t afraid of you” that I realized how aggressive I was. He had firmed up his voice, but it seemed like he was shaking. Thankfully I regrouped before I did something to get myself fired.
Continuously Adjust Your Attitude
Formally incarcerated people have to continuously monitor our attitudes. Other people are not out to get us. We may have had some tough breaks, but we have to believe that the world is not out to get us. If we do not get in control of our thoughts, they will control us and ruin our attitude. Companies do not want to employ people with anger issues that impact the workplace. Keep your attitude in check.
Keep in mind that you can create your own stream of income. Working for someone else can be difficult to achieve, especially for a person who might struggle with basic background checks. Do not let that hinder you. There are certifications that people can get regardless of their criminal history. In-demand careers like commercial driving, plumbing, auto repair, welding, boiler operators, HVAC techs, and carpentry are felon friendly certifications. You can also work for yourself by turning a hobby into a career. That could be any field such as photography, musician, handyman work, catering, or barbering. As long as you have sharp skills, you can build your clientele. It is also very possible to turn relatively low-skill, high-effort tasks into a business. That includes trash removal, yardcare, car washing, pressure washing, gutter cleaning, window cleaning, and so much more.
Be Your Own Boss
Think outside of the box because the sky is truly the limit these days. So many unlikely people have soared because they believed in themselves and fought through their struggles. There was a time that I didn’t think I would be going back to school, but when I changed my mind set I went back and completed the program. So what are you going to do? Comment with a goal so that I can respond to you with some encouragement. You got this!
Free World 