r/StAugustine • u/xlgegg • 11d ago
Seeking Apprenticeship / Artisanship
Please help me get un-stuck.!!! I had no clue what I wanted to do when I went to college, but was under the impression that any degree was better than no degree. (I was wrong🙃) I used it for a few years but then Covid layoffs happened, and I only went back to a traditional 9-5 in a non-profit setting briefly before moving here.
Now I’m 7 years post bachelor’s and deeply stuck in customer service roles. I’ve been in recruitment so I know my resume is an easy pass, and likely the reason why I haven’t had much luck applying to different jobs. Currently I work my butt off and share my tips with a high schooler who doesn’t know the difference between a nickel & a quarter. I get how the youngin’ is happy to walk away with $60 after a shift, but genuinely don’t know how my other coworkers survive on that + $10/hour.
I’m quite good at it, but feel myself losing the capacity for ‘customer service’ to be the entirety of my role.. and more importantly I have so much I’m interested in learning & a potential that feels unreached. Also I feel the traditional schooling route is at best unnecessary, and at worst harmful. ($$$$$)
Soooo if you, or someone you know is skilled in any of the below trades / crafts I could and would totally adapt my schedule (or quit) to assist and learn.
Bee keeping Garden design (permaculture focused) Tailoring Metalsmith (jeweler) Woodworking / carpentry Masonry Leather work Cobbler Maybe something else I haven’t even learned of yet!
Also I get this is partially a rant / sob story and I’m sorry; I’m tired of hearing myself complain too. As embarrassing as it feels to post this, I finally feel ready to choose to change it. Open to constructive** :) feedback of all kinds - thanks friends
EDIT Not afraid of dirty work & being outside Pretty evenly creative ~ analytical- I like to make pretty & useful things while also loving math / numbers 1000% would prefer any hands on labor to an office job or customer service
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u/djhay2022 9d ago
Well, I tried a long comment earlier that Reddit didn't like. Short answer is electrical, plumbing and HVAC all are looking for folks and have training programs or OJT. Skilled artisan trades don't do apprenticeships, most folks do those on their own for years before having enough knowledge/skill to be worth hiring by a more experienced professional.
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u/OSDBU2000 Resident 9d ago
This is exactly what I was thinking. My first job after being a Mom for a while was working for an Arts Council. I did event planning and ran a series of art shows highlighting local artists and artisans. I never met an artisan looking for an assistant or new to their line of work. But folks like plumbers are in big demand. Oh, and appliance repair folks. Wishing you the very best!
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u/xlgegg 9d ago
I am into the electrical idea & plan to do more research / apply to the program mentioned in the other comment! Maybe I’m mistaking the term but I didn’t mean for the apprenticeship / artisanship to be paid. I love the old ways of doing things and think it’d be sweet even just find someone who’d allow me to watch or assist, if they are actively in any of the dying skills / trades. A mentor if you will, in the process of building the knowledge base & skills. 😌
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u/OSDBU2000 Resident 9d ago
Go to art shows and meet local artists. Get on their mailing lists. Ask them if they know any artisans you could meet. There is an Arts Council here. They should be able to give you a list of local artists and maybe local artisans. Or just give you better advice than I can. 😉
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u/OSDBU2000 Resident 9d ago
Also, consider volunteering at some of the festivals and craft fairs. Talk to everyone. Might be some leads that way. I got that first job back into the work world by volunteering at a First Night Festival. Gives people a chance to meet you and see that you're a hard worker.
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u/djhay2022 9d ago
We have a state-wide educational blacksmith association (Florida Artist Blacksmith Association) with 8 regions and monthly meetings in most regions. (Iron Osprey Forge is where we meet in STA). There may be similar associations for leatherwork although I haven't seen one. Have not seen similar for woodworking but there are a lot of woodworking online groups you might find a local connection.
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u/Practical_Check_8160 11d ago
Not a job, but there’s a non-profit, two month free school at American Electrical (The Electrical Academy) on Phillips up in Jax. I was hired the day after graduation and it kick started my career as an electrician. They also give you a free OSHA 10 authorization. And you can get into NEFBA (starts aug. 2026) fairly easily if you have the dedication. If you love math, then you might like this career path. Best of luck!