R
Rookie
Guest
Hi everyone,
I have some questions that could be considered "gray area".
First of all I‘m 27 years old. I have a fairly lengthy criminal record. I have spent many years of my life either in adult or youth jails. I am not currently under any probation nor do I have any outstanding fines.
I guess you can say that I wasted away most of my life trying to be tough, and impressive.
I finally grew up though, and I have not been back to jail since my son was born 5 years ago July.
I ended up working at a store in a mall and made my way up to manager. I held that position for about 6 months, and then I decided I wanted to do more with my life, so I went back to school.
I went to the Toronto School of Buisness and after I was half way through the person who had franchised it out, went bankrupt.
A new school took over for them, and although they had no responsibilities to give me any education, they felt sorry for me and I was allowed to sit in on three more courses for free.
So I do have about 2/3 of a degree as a Network Administrator.
Of course when they went under, I was beat, unless I could commute out of town every day to do my schooling in another city. Now, I don‘t drive, my girlfirend doesn‘t drive, so that wasn‘t a viable option.
I can‘t afford to sue anyone, and I really can‘t sue someone for going bankrupt.
I‘ve tried to obtain employment in the field even without my degree. Most employers seemed very enamoured with me during interviews, however, when they get my criminal record check, I‘m beat every time.
So, I feel I‘m at a cross roads of my life. I‘ve worked so darn hard to get out of a life of crime and to be legit, but yet I find obstacles put up everywhere because of my past.
Now don‘t get mew wrong, what I get now is my own fault. I did my crimes, nobody else, and I take my own responsibility.
My questions arise on two fronts.
One how would I be accepted by not only superiors or teachers, but by my peers if I were to be accepted, because of my past?
Also, I do have a grade 10 education, but not a full highschool, or full college degree. I do however have proof, of my partly completed degree.
So would I be able to get into a full time position, based on those credentials? Or perhaps I could get into the education program through the Army Kingston school I was reading about, but then I wonder would my outstanding debt to the government for my school loans affect my ablility to even do that?
Now I realize that in reading this, it probably appears as though I am looking to join the Army as a last resort in my life, and,...well that would be somewhat true.
However rest assured I have thought about this for a few years, because I believe strongly in world events and I believe strongly in being proud to be Canadian, and free. Each day in this messed up world, I am glad to live in freedom.
I can‘t say for sure I will succeed, but I do know I am interested, and that I am determined. I also know I am loyal, passionate, and able to read and write as well as anyone who hasn‘t spent a good chunck of their life in prison.
I also recognize a need for structure and meaning in my life. I can‘t be satisfied working construction during the warm weather, and taking what I can get in the winter. I have a strong drive to "go somewhere" or "be someone", ya know?
Anyway, if someone could help me with those questions, and maybe throw a rookie some free advice I would sincerely appreciate your thoughts.
I have some questions that could be considered "gray area".
First of all I‘m 27 years old. I have a fairly lengthy criminal record. I have spent many years of my life either in adult or youth jails. I am not currently under any probation nor do I have any outstanding fines.
I guess you can say that I wasted away most of my life trying to be tough, and impressive.
I finally grew up though, and I have not been back to jail since my son was born 5 years ago July.
I ended up working at a store in a mall and made my way up to manager. I held that position for about 6 months, and then I decided I wanted to do more with my life, so I went back to school.
I went to the Toronto School of Buisness and after I was half way through the person who had franchised it out, went bankrupt.
A new school took over for them, and although they had no responsibilities to give me any education, they felt sorry for me and I was allowed to sit in on three more courses for free.
So I do have about 2/3 of a degree as a Network Administrator.
Of course when they went under, I was beat, unless I could commute out of town every day to do my schooling in another city. Now, I don‘t drive, my girlfirend doesn‘t drive, so that wasn‘t a viable option.
I can‘t afford to sue anyone, and I really can‘t sue someone for going bankrupt.
I‘ve tried to obtain employment in the field even without my degree. Most employers seemed very enamoured with me during interviews, however, when they get my criminal record check, I‘m beat every time.
So, I feel I‘m at a cross roads of my life. I‘ve worked so darn hard to get out of a life of crime and to be legit, but yet I find obstacles put up everywhere because of my past.
Now don‘t get mew wrong, what I get now is my own fault. I did my crimes, nobody else, and I take my own responsibility.
My questions arise on two fronts.
One how would I be accepted by not only superiors or teachers, but by my peers if I were to be accepted, because of my past?
Also, I do have a grade 10 education, but not a full highschool, or full college degree. I do however have proof, of my partly completed degree.
So would I be able to get into a full time position, based on those credentials? Or perhaps I could get into the education program through the Army Kingston school I was reading about, but then I wonder would my outstanding debt to the government for my school loans affect my ablility to even do that?
Now I realize that in reading this, it probably appears as though I am looking to join the Army as a last resort in my life, and,...well that would be somewhat true.
However rest assured I have thought about this for a few years, because I believe strongly in world events and I believe strongly in being proud to be Canadian, and free. Each day in this messed up world, I am glad to live in freedom.
I can‘t say for sure I will succeed, but I do know I am interested, and that I am determined. I also know I am loyal, passionate, and able to read and write as well as anyone who hasn‘t spent a good chunck of their life in prison.
I also recognize a need for structure and meaning in my life. I can‘t be satisfied working construction during the warm weather, and taking what I can get in the winter. I have a strong drive to "go somewhere" or "be someone", ya know?
Anyway, if someone could help me with those questions, and maybe throw a rookie some free advice I would sincerely appreciate your thoughts.